How Is Being 'Girly' An Insult? Seriously, We Want To Know

Where did this begin?

girl
Advertisement

"You run like a girl!"

That's what boys say to insult the other boys — to make themselves feel stronger. Well, if someone were to say that to me, you know what'd I say? "Yeah I do!"

Because I am a girl. That's the meaning behind Always' new viral campaign.

In the video, we see tweens "running like girls" with their arms flailing and younger girls "running like girls." The big difference? They don't have their arms flailing or their knees buckled — they're running strong. Punch like a girl? They punch their hardest.

Advertisement

The voice behind the camera asks a little girl in a floral printed tee, "Is 'like a girl' a bad thing?"

"It sounds like a bad thing. It sounds like you're trying to humiliate someone," she replies.

She's right.

If you condition young girls that doing something "like a girl" is a bad thing or that they need to act weaker because they're girls, does that breed a submissive nature in adulthood? Does that breed a lack of confidence?

Or is it all bullshit?

YourTango Social Media Editor Kristen, weighed in.

"I'm not particularly offended when I hear things like that, mainly because I know it's all bullshit. Vaginas are awesome, not a sign of weakness. People who use 'pussy' or 'vagina' or 'girly' as an insult are limited by their own lack of creativity and appreciation for an incredible organ. Maybe I have a higher than usual appreciation for vaginas, because I was raised by two gynecologists, but I've never felt it was an insult. That probably-fake-but-still-awesome Betty White meme said it best, "Balls are weak and sensitive. If you wanna be tough, grow a vagina. Those things can take a pounding."

Advertisement

The Always campaign seeks to make "like a girl" a good thing, and to increase self-love among girls. Because women are powerful. Women are the future. No stupid attempt at an insult can bring us down.

We have the power to turn "like a girl" into a compliment.

Our answer to "You run like a girl!"?

… So?

Advertisement