‘I’m Just a Girl’ a Statement of Strength or Submission?

Reversing feminism with a ‘harmless statement’ a deeper understanding of what the comment entails and why those should second guess before adding it to their daily vocabulary. Everyone is laughing, making jokes and underestimating the integrity of what’s being said. For one can say I’ve used this quote on several occasions without hesitation. Here’s how micro-trends apply to phrases, and why you shouldn’t always follow others’ leads without understanding fully what you’re instating. 

“I’m just a girl”- It’s a statement saying women and girls aren’t capable. Bullshit. For decades we as women have built up a community to regain our voice and be heard. In 1918 women in Britain gained the right to vote. Onwards, in 1975, equal education was granted for boys and girls. Milestones and barriers continue to be pushed to this day with efforts from those worldwide, but what if we are also causing harm without realising it? 

At first glance, it may appear as ‘Not that serious’ or ‘Just a joke’ but beneath its casual and seemingly humours appeal lies a deeply troubling reality; in this case, jokes are a subversion of the misogynistic belief that women/girls are incapable which is an effective method of challenging and ultimately destroying the harmful belief. Dismissing responsibility with the excuse of being ‘just a girl’ detrimentally impacts decades of hard-fought battles against gender stereotypes. 

“I’m just a girl”- The recurring trend is a form of internalised sexism which has grabbed the attention of many. Whenever someone says ‘I’m just a girl’ they are dumbing themselves down. They are reinforcing negative gender stereotypes- girls aren’t intelligent, don’t have life skills, and shouldn’t be taken seriously and repressing themselves. Making them appear infantile. There isn’t a trend about guys calling themselves dumb or useless because it’s tied to sexism. “Women belong in kitchens, they shouldn’t work and have jobs, or even opinions”, women are simply “baby machines” A void to be used and recycled. 

Though, as women, we have minds, souls and hearts. With great power we cannot uphold what we once were known as and reverse history. The suffragettes and suffragist’s fought for our rights and equality, as many are continuing to do today; It needs to stop.