6 Paramount Reasons Why You Should Never Use The Phrase "I'm Not Like Most Girls" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

6 Paramount Reasons Why You Should Never Use The Phrase "I'm Not Like Most Girls"

You've probably seen it in just about every YA book there is, but it actually enforces outdated stereotypes.

564
6 Paramount Reasons Why You Should Never Use The Phrase "I'm Not Like Most Girls"
Pexels

If you’ve ever read a teen fiction novel or watched a young adult movie, chances are you’ve encountered this phrase. Maybe you’ve even come face to face with it by saying it yourself or hearing a friend say it. What most people don’t realize is that the phrase “I’m not like most girls” is detrimental to the female gender as a whole, especially to girly-girls. One of my friends is a girly, makeup-loving person, and she has had to deal with the accompanying stereotype time and time again. People (even girls!) have made fun of her for liking the color pink and always making sure her hair is done, but this shows nothing about her personality. She’s ridiculously sweet and caring and doesn’t merit any stereotyping that makes her out to be dumb or a bully just because she likes makeup and pink. Unnecessary stereotyping is enforced by this one phrase: “I’m not like most girls.” Here are some of the main reasons why this phrase needs to be thrown out ASAP.


1. Of course you’re not like other girls; every girl is unique.

It’s glaringly obvious that you are not the same kind of girl, nor do you like the same things as every other girl out there. But in the same vein, every other girl out there doesn’t like the same things as you do. Every girl has their own personality to share with the world. Maybe one girl likes painting and having artistic Instagram captions. Maybe another girl likes playing basketball and watching “The Matrix.” Who knows? Every single person is unique, so it’s a given that you’re not like other girls.

2. It’s inaccurate of the phrase to express that every girl except you is a stereotypical “girly-girl.”

The most inaccurate part of this phrase, however, is thinking that you are the only “non-girly” female. Like I said before, some girls may be artsy or sporty or nerdy! But even if a girl is “girly,” it’s just another dimension of her complex personality, and that shouldn’t matter.

3.There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being “girly."

Being girly is a terrific quality to have! Loving makeup, hair and clothes is just another hobby that people should respect (because it takes an enormous amount of skill to pull off a smoky-eye or winged eyeliner!). Liking pink shouldn’t be looked down upon because, really, what does someone’s favorite color say about them? If I like red, it’s not going to reveal some deep truth about me, just like adoring pink doesn’t reveal that someone’s shallow or mean (even if BuzzFeed quizzes may try to tell you that). These feminine hobbies and interests have absolutely nothing to do with how a girl treats others because that comes from the heart, not the hobbies. Makeup, pink, pop songs, flowers and social media all may be just one aspect of a girly-girl’s nuanced personality and shouldn’t define her as a “cruel popular girl” or a ditzy idiot.

4. It oppresses feminism by shaming feminine qualities.

Femininity has historically been perceived as weakness or incompetence, and the stereotype of a one-dimensional girly-girl only enforces that belief. Not wanting to be like “other girls” devalues the entire female gender by taking away its originality, individuality and by taking away girls’ respect for their own gender. If girls don’t respect feminine qualities, then males won’t either.

5. No girl is one-dimensional.

It’s unfair to treat other girls like their hobbies and interests are the only aspect of their personality. For example, a girly-girl doesn’t just have to be a girly-girl. She can be intelligent, funny, shy, sweet, brave, artistic or empathetic too. Automatically discrediting feminine women of their other personality traits is like looking at someone and saying, “You have red hair, so you’re probably a rude person and nothing else." It’s ridiculous to assume that just because a girl is “girly,” that’s the only dimension to their personality.

6. There’s enough of this stereotyping in fiction; we don’t need to practice it in the real world, too.

Strong female characters in teen fiction such as Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games” and Tris Prior from the “Divergent” series have all been guilty of saying this phrase. In fact, just about every tom-boy, cheerleader-hating teen fiction protagonist has said this phrase at least a few times. In the very YA books that feature a protagonist like this, there is also a mean cheerleader trope that seems to occupy the place of the antagonist all the time. Books and movies like these try to convince us that tomboys and “nerds” are complex, good people and that fashion-lovers and girly-girl cheerleaders are one-dimensional, unintelligent and cruel brats. We shouldn’t let these stereotypes take place in the real world when they have never belonged in fiction in the first place.


As you can see, this phrase devalues girly-girls and makes girls ashamed of their gender. Let’s take the first step to phase it out by never saying it again.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

23833
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

9952
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

7215
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments