In recent news, apparently the lack of female emojis has discouraged me from reaching my full potential as a girl. Believe me, I was quite disappointed to hear of my inability to express myself due to the lack of lady bikers, walkers, runners, etc. Fortunately, “Always” a popular manufacturer of feminine products, has released a commercial covering this very issue, showing its audience the specific affects that sexist emojis have on adolescents. After all, the limited array of female emoticons is threatening to a young woman’s success.

Yes, the tinge of sarcasm was intended. If we as Americans have come to the conclusion that girl’s talents are being suppressed via textual icons, then we have officially become the most hypersensitive nation on the planet. This to say, I completely agree that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men. However, by making such a huge ordeal out of something as minute as an emoji, we are seemingly belittling ourselves.

By taking the time to acknowledge something as insignificant as a phone application, “Always” isn’t “empowering” women; they are creating excuses for young females to validate their personal insecurities with falsehood. I’ll admit, it may have been nice to have a ponytail flowing gracefully off the back of my youth soccer participation trophy; but the lack of hair didn’t take away from the work I had put forth to receive it. Insecurities are not solved by placing blame, but rather by eliminating these minor ‘inconveniences’ from our very thought process. In today’s society, we as women are given more opportunity than ever, and to let an emoji prove otherwise is quite saddening.

Women do not need validation to succeed. They need self-motivation formed on a strong will and personal mental toughness developed by seeing beyond this societal mess of an argument regarding female limitations, specifically those implying that an emoji has the power to destruct a woman’s self esteem. If you intend on being an influential female, then do so, and choose to see above the negative.