It seems like people have become almost elitist about most things they have preferences on. People, especially women, are berated for liking anything that has been deemed unacceptable to enjoy or prefer. Music taste? Better not be pop or well known. Clothes? Must be on trend without being basic. The common narrative is that it’s okay to like certain things that have been deemed as cool, and that it’s cringey or embarrassing to like the things that do not fit the standard for being acceptable.
Let’s look at entertainment media, for example. Enjoying a reality tv show such as the Bachelor is cringey, because it has been widely decided to be basic, or overly popular in an undeserved manner. People argue that it’s a silly waste of time to get wrapped up in the lives of reality tv stars. Religiously watching sports, on the other hand, gets much more respect. Why? Watching sports is popular, just to a different demographic. Keeping up with the players on your favorite team has been deemed acceptable. The gender demographic of popular media should not have an impact on any individual’s ability to enjoy watching the type of television they find entertaining.
Another example of something that has been widely accepted to be cringey for women to enjoy is participating in TikTok dance trends. These trends exist because people enjoy taking part in them and their audience enjoy viewing them, yet young women who participate in popular trends receive scathing comments attacking their looks, intellect, etc. for doing so. On the flip side, when young men participate in trends such as attempting certain physical stunts or engaging in certain chants, it’s okay that they’re having fun with their friends in that way. People should be able to have fun in whatever way they choose as long as doing so does not cause harm to anyone.
How people choose to dress is another example of this phenomenon. If a young woman wears her Lululemon leggings with Air Force 1s, she might be called basic for doing so, due to the fact that these items have been extremely popular among that demographic. However, if a young man wears grey sweatpants and Nike slides like most other guys his age, there is no criticism for him. And there shouldn’t be! He’s just wearing something comfortable that is currently trendy. There also shouldn’t be criticism for a young woman doing the same.
It can be really easy to get caught up in what the majority deems as cool or uncool. In the age of the internet, trends spread and shift quicker than ever, and with them, what is uncool changes as well. Seeing an individual who is popular speak against something you like can be influential in changing your own perception, and maybe that shift is valid and representative of your true feelings on the matter. It’s important, however, to analyze this influenced perception and evaluate if it comes from the right place. Don’t try to like something just because others said you should, and don’t abandon things you like simply because others have decided you should.
Whatever music, tv shows, movies, clothes, etc… that you like are great because they are what you’re into! No music taste could be “better” for you if you’ve already found what you like. It’s okay to only be into pop music if that’s what makes you happy and helps you get through your day. It’s also just as okay to only like indie music if that’s what you most enjoy listening to. It’s okay to be eclectic with your taste and not subscribe to one genre. What you have found to enjoy cannot be improved upon because it’s already what’s best for you!
As a woman, it can even be easy to fall into mocking things just because they are popular among young women. I’ll be the first to say that I’ve done so, but I’ve also started to catch myself when I do so and think about why I do it. When participating in the mockery of something, take a moment to evaluate where the humor is in the conversation. Maybe a TikTok dance trend does have some harmful repercussions that people don’t realize. Maybe a piece of media has an underlying message that viewers are not realizing and should be made aware of before endorsing it. More often, however, the reality is that the basis of the mockery is at the expense of women or another people group. In 2022, let’s focus on letting people, especially young women, like what they like without being shamed for liking the “wrong” things!