I probably do not have to inform you that annual "Mean Girls Day" was this past week on October 3, aka the day Aaron Samuels asked Cady what day it is. "Mean Girls" is an iconic coming of age film and has been a classic since its release in 2004. Not only is "Mean Girls" hilarious, there are significant underlining themes behind the story line. So in honor of 13 years of "Mean Girls", here are 13 important life lessons I've learned from this movie.
1. Don't be Ashamed of Your Background and Where You Come From
Cady Heron lived a non-traditional childhood. She didn't go to public school; she was homeschooled in Africa. She knew that made her a little different from everyone else in high school but embraced it anyway. Cady was proud of who she was before joining the plastics, even though she did disrespect the fertility vase of the Ndebele tribe.
2. Slut Shaming Needs to Stop
The word "slut" should be banned altogether. Stigmatizing others based upon their own personal decisions and/or how they choose to present themselves is never okay, and may result in an all-girls school assembly.
3. Intelligence isn't Unattractive
Cady failed her math test on purpose so Aaron Samuels would tutor her. She quickly reaped the repercussions of her actions. She was failing AND lost Aaron's respect after he found out. She eventually realized how ridiculous it was to dumb herself down and even joined mathletes, despite it being social suicide.
4. Don't Give Others Too Much Power Over You
You are you your own person. You can't let other people tell you what to do or how to act. People only have as much power over you as you give them. Nobody has the right to boss you around, even if their dad did invent toaster strudel.
5. Rumors Can Ruin Reputations
Regina George is a pro at making up instances that aren't true and talking behind people's backs. Nobody talked to Janis Ian after the mean lies Regina was saying about her. Ms. Norbury could have lost her job over rumors that she was a drug dealer. These are perfect examples of why you should think twice before saying something that's not true because rumors are so not "grool".
6. You are Invested Wherever You Spend Your Time and Effort
Mentally, emotionally and physically you will be devoted to what you put your energy into, whether intentional or not. Involving yourself in wholesome activities will reflect positively or negatively upon your character. Similarly, hanging out with mean girls all day to ditch your friend's art show and thinking of ways to increase your popularity will eventually cause a shift in your personality.
7. What Comes Around Goes Around
Cady and Janis wanted to sabotage Regina and the plastics; it backfired when their friendship was hurt and everyone in school hated Cady. Regina George was a mean girl and she ended up getting hit by a bus. You see the pattern.
8. Girl on Girl Hate is Detrimental and Counterproductive
Bashing on other girls constantly only creates a hostile environment for everyone. In our society, girls really need to build each other up instead of tearing each other down. Everyone deserves the opportunity to interact with other girls without feeling unwanted or intimidated, even the girl who doesn't even go there.
9. Always Make It Right
Cady caused a lot of damage, but she realized that and she owned up to it. Everyone makes bad decisions sometimes whatever the case may be. Mistakes are often made, and at that point, you have to be honest with yourself and do everything in your power to make amends. How hard should you work to gain someone's trust back? The limit does not exist.
10. Forgive and Forget
After Cady was apologetic for turning her back on her first friends in America, Janis Ian openly forgave her. She noted Cady's sincerity and the fact that there was nothing to stay mad about. In this kind of situation, the best thing you can do is forgive friends, especially aftert calling her out during Ms. Norbury's trust fall activity.
11. You Do You
Throughout the entire movie, Janis and Damien didn't care about what other people thought of them; they definitely did their own thing. Cady, on the other hand, had a different approach. In the end, everyone quit conforming to societal norms and because of that, they basically baked a cake full of rainbows and smiles so they could eat it and be happy.
12. Integrity Will Get You Far
In the beginning of the movie, Cady is coerced into being one of the plastics. In the process, she sacrifices her morals. She later reversed that cycle by demonstrating high levels of integrity. This was what ultimately resolved the major conflict of the plot.
13. Everyone is a QUEEN
Winning spring fling queen is not the most important thing in the world. It is unfair to put one person on a pedestal higher than everyone else. Everybody has their own unique gifts and talents and that is why the crown should be shared, as Cady did. Because everyone matters, even those who don't wear pink on Wednesday's.
