Insulting. Rude. Impolite. Vulgar. Petty. Uncivil.

Since when did these words become the new definition of strength? Since when did insulting someone else become a worshiped image by which to aspire? Nowadays, I feel the more I look around, I see women being proud of these traits and others encouraging them. We have tried our best to improve the image of women and make both genders equal. Yet, in many ways, I think we have completely missed the target.

I see this found particularly in two locations. It really begins in the media. Women are more frequently portrayed as rude, vulgar and coarse. Yet, with these qualities, critics and viewers rave about how strong they are and how women should always be portrayed as such. It just seems that they've taken the worst aspects of how they historically portrayed men and applied it to the woman. The only catch is now it makes the women "strong". Honestly, it seems to also make it nearly impossible to root for them. In particular, the movie Trainwreck stars Amy Schumer, who, throughout the movie, is bitter and insulting about life and everyone around her. Though funny, I would not consider her to be the epitome of a "strong" woman. Apparently many disagree according to the reviews. All through Hollywood and media across the United States, women seem to be more frequently growing in hostility, unkindness and becoming uncivil.

This is where it becomes obvious the media impacts minds of all others common to us. I have met a fair share of women, some of which were my friends for a while, who have taken on the traits of being petty, insulting and impolite. Obviously, you will find people like this regardless of where you step foot. What I find interesting is I have seen this grow since the media started showing women in this way. Not only did I find it in how women acted, but also how others around them reacted. Suddenly, seeing a woman who would insult someone else and be completely disrespectful was seen as bold and strong by others. A woman who was in another woman's face over a petty issue and unwilling to be civil and polite was quickly worshiped by tons of others encouraging her. It just seems ridiculous a girl has to gain these traits in order to be considered strong.

Change has to be made. Women need role models who are admired for their actual strength. It takes much more strength to be respectful to others, to bite your tongue, to always be polite. It takes strength to be modest in words, thoughts and appearance. It takes strength to defy the current social norms and become a women the next generation can be. I am not sure when being poised and mature suddenly became a sign of weakness; but that cannot be the case. We can make a change for everyone today and to follow. Women, you can be strong without being insulting, rude, impolite, vulgar, petty or uncivil. You can be strong by being kind, respectful, civil, mature, poised, polite and amiable.