I've grown up hearing the phrase “boys will be boys" and honestly I haven't thought much about it till recently.

Before I just thought it was an overused phrase that people used to describe dumb boys. But I've noticed it's often used as an excuse for bad, reckless behavior. But no one says “girls will be girls," because we can't hide behind that privilege.

And I've never heard that phrase to excuse the behavior of a boy of color. They also don't get that privilege. In fact, the only people who use that phrase are wealthy white boys. So let's leave “boys will be boys" in 2018 and come up with new ways to express how we really feel.

1. Boys are dumb sometimes.

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but still need to be held accountable for their actions.

2. Everyone is dumb sometimes.

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but we still need to be held accountable for our actions

3. Sometimes boys make mistakes.

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but still need to be held accountable for this actions.

4. Sometimes everyone makes mistakes.

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but still need to be held accountable for their actions.

5. Boys should sometimes be forgiven.

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but still should be held accountable for their actions.

6. Everyone should sometimes be forgiven.

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but should still be held accountable for their actions.

It's just that simple.