While home talking with friends, I was really struck by the mentality when it came to boys and themselves. Any outsider would think South Philly is the complete opposite of traditional values. Living here for my whole life has shown me something entirely different. Think small town, religious (though following commandments, and the bible loosely), and older time values mixed with reality tv (mob wives). To give you some examples very rarely does anyone leave or go far from the neighborhood they were born and raised. My neighbor is living in his childhood home and he is now old enough for retirement. The man of the house is always addressed when talking to the family. Dating in south philly requires a 2 or 3 month "talking" period before you even hang out. Infidelity is also something easily forgiven when it comes to guys. Girls on the other hand gain reputations that they can almost never shake. This being said...

YOU are beautiful. YOU are smart. YOU are sexy. YOU have just as much to offer as a boy. YOU deserve to be happy. YOU deserve to be treated like a goddess.

No matter what you have done in the past it should not dictate your future. If you are ready to make a change. Being strung along for 2 month without getting a proper date or even seeing each other face to face is a huge waste of your time. A guy who really cares about you, even if he is socially awkward, will find a way to be with you. These girls need to learn that they are goddesses and deserve to be treated as such. Gaining self worth, instead of destroying it like a lot of the patriarchal traditions, will help these girls battle against mistreatment by the men of south Philly.

Unfortunately this is a problem all over the world, not just in my little corner of it. Even with the new craze over positive body images with young girls, which I think is another huge issue, people act like that is the only problem everyone, especially young girls face. NEWS FLASH, it is not. Take a hard look at your life, are you happy? It has taken me years to figure out my own self worth, with lots of bumps along the way. You can get there too. I know it.