Women are biologically different than men. This isn't a statement that can be argued against. However, our biological differences have been cuffed to stereotypes that have perpetrated our culture and defined what it means to be a woman. With different body shapes and sizes, this has become an issue. Women are still being told how to be, well, women. There are just some things women have to deal with that men never will.
1. Removing body hair
Don't start with "men shave their beards." It. Is. Not. The. Same. I was nine years old when I started growing noticeable hair on my legs. I wore pants in the summer because I was afraid to let anyone see it. Already, I knew that it wasn't "sexy" to have body hair.
2. Periods
Yet, it isn't just periods that women are conditioned to feel ashamed about, even though it's 100 percent natural. It's the tampons and pads and liners that we have to feel ashamed about too. "Mean Girls" is right; you're shunned if you have to use a "super"-sized anything for your lady parts. (Even though about 30 percent of women need them.) I was a 10-year-old stuffing a pad under my shirt so the boys in my class wouldn't see it. I was already taught to be embarrassed of my own body.
3. Boobs
I was in sixth grade when a boy first touched my boobs without my consent. I was actually just walking down the hallway when he copped a feel. Yet, from what I've been told, "Boys will be boys." I've actually had numerous male friends tell me I'm guaranteed to land a job if I flash my boss during the interview. Since when did boobs (the purpose of which is to feed children through mammary glands), have the power to degrade me and cause chaos just because they naturally grow off of my chest?
4. Athletic and economic inequality
I was discussing the wage difference between a man and woman with a professor once. He actually told me women make less right away because it was inevitable that they would have children and would need to leave to raise those children. I just thought to myself, "Aren't you supposed to educate, not perpetuate a lie?"
I also had an ex tell me that because I was a woman, I'd never be as good as an athlete as my male counterpart. Needless to say, we are no longer together.
5. Self-image
If someone tells me I'm perfect and beautiful, they're automatically wrong because there are 10 voices against every one of his saying the complete opposite. People think it's sexy when a women has confidence. Yet, they say that because they don't know how hard it is to gain that confidence. How am I supposed to feel sexy when everywhere I turn, someone or something is telling me that my body needs to change in some way to look better? It doesn't matter what I do or how many self-help quotes I post around my room, I've already been told to hate myself.
However (and this may be the most important part), as a woman, we are given the biological power of pain tolerance and adaptability. Inequality is a real thing, and regardless of what society tells you to be, know that you CAN be who you want to be. You just need to fight and adapt.
(We also statistically live longer than men and mature faster.)
