Girls need to be taught to be strong, independent, and above all, to love themselves. Throughout history, women have fought hard toward being recognized as equals to men. Even after centuries of trying to shatter the stereotypes and preconceived ideas attributed to women, there is always something that holds them back. Part of the issue is that not all girls are taught to be strong, independent and to love themselves. There has been an attempt on behalf of the media to push these ideas forward. Below is a list of movies that promote these ideas, and if at some point in their lives girls are shown these movies and taught that it is okay to love themselves regardless of what others say, then maybe the view of women will be different.
1. Brave
This is one of Disney and Pixar's most underrated movies. It has one of the most powerful messages for kids, especially young girls. Promoting the special relationship between a mother and a daughter teaches girls that it is okay to be different, but most importantly, it teaches them that they will always have someone to count on- their mothers. Having a strong support system and role model is crucial to the development of a young girls identity and encourages them to promote the same idea to those around them.
2. Miss Congeniality
Personally, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. It was one of the first strong female roles I remember seeing growing up. Sandra Bullock's role teaches young girls that it is okay to have a career and to love who you are. It shows the journey of a woman finding the balance between her identity in a testosterone driven work field and as a woman entitled to care about her appearance without being over sexualized or looked down upon. This is an issue that is still prevalent today and it is important to teach girls that your job should not determine how you look and how you look should not determine the job you have.
3. Mulan
One of the most prevalent themes carried throughout the movie is that Mulan must learn to go with her gut and to do what is best for her. Mulan is special because she has to work twice as hard as any of the other characters to prove her worth, and this is very relevant for women in the work field today. The movie teaches girls to be independent and to work hard to achieve their own goals, regardless of what others think you should do or be.
4. He's Just Not That Into You
If this movie teaches girls anything, it is that it is okay to be alone and to figure out who you are as an individual. A pressure exists where women should strive to be in a relationship and to cater to the man, but that should not be the case. This movie is about the journey that women must go on in order to realize that they have a right to know what they want in a relationship and, more importantly, that it is okay to not be in one if your partner is not willing to meet you halfway.
5. The Help
“You is kind, you is smart. You is important.” One of my favorite quotes from both the book and the movie. In just one line, it teaches young girls to believe in themselves, even when no one else will. What others think does not define them, but instead, their actions do. All girls should be told this every morning!
These movies teach girls and women that it is okay to know what you want in life, that it is okay to be independent, strong and to love yourself. Women should not be defined by the standards of others and we should strive to push society to see us as we see ourselves and to lift each other instead of bringing ourselves down.
It is only then that we can truly make a difference in the world.
