Growing up in the 90s and early 2000s there were plenty of t-shirts, notebooks, bags and other daily items emblazoned with the phrase ‘GIRL POWER!’, often with some flowers, sparkles, or unicorns around it. Even then, I found myself uncomfortable with the phrase; I avoided using it and prayed my parents never bought me a girl power shirt. But why? I’ve always considered myself a feminist, so shouldn’t I think of the phrase ‘girl power’ as a cute nod to the idea that women can be strong too? I do. It’s just that being a cute nod to the idea that I could be a strong little girl, and a strong woman one day, is a little demeaning in the long run.
But that doesn’t make sense!
Actually, it does and here’s why: By separating women from men, our society is setting different standards for the two groups. Even if the initial idea of girl power was female empowerment at a young age, which I am sure it was, the end result is still the same. While I’ve always had some understanding of this idea, as an adult I can look back at my childhood discomfort with the phrase and put it into words. Now I’m not saying to run around burning your old shirts and yell at people (In fact, don’t do that at all please.). What I’m saying is that we, as a society, should grow out of the phrase. I think that the ‘GIRL POWER!’ shirts helped give young girls the courage and internal strength to face and challenge everyday sexism. I also think it’s 2017, and I’m not in elementary school anymore. Girl power has served its purpose. To me, it’s the same kind of difference and growth of the white feminism vs feminism idea: we all start somewhere, but we still need to learn. If we want equality of the sexes, then ‘GIRL POWER!’ needs to retire and make way for just plain old empowerment. Long story short: I’m tired of being a powerful female; I just want to be powerful.