I recently read an article by a Cosmopolitan contributor claiming that the female friendships on “Sex And The City” are unrealistic. While I do agree that few women are lucky enough to find a group of friends who always support them and of whom they never tire, I would argue that Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha’s relationship is intended to be aspirational and not realistic.

Middle school and high school are decried as the stomping ground for mean girls everywhere, and though that is undeniably true, what if it wasn’t? What if bullying and teen cruelty weren’t sensationalized in every adolescent drama? What if, instead, we showed young girls what friendships can, and should be like: strong girls and women who build each other up rather than tear each other down, who make each other cry with laughter rather than just cry, and who never, ever judge one another for their mistakes? What then?

Hollywood films and television shows can have a tremendous impact on our worldview; if producers approved more projects with strong female relationships and fewer focused on catty drama, I believe that we could change the prevailing culture… and maybe even learn to be a bit more like Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha.

Although much of the content on Sex And The City is inappropriate for young adults (i.e. any scene involving Samantha) the central message of putting your friends first could, and should, be translated.

Life is tough enough without in-fighting and gossiping and trying to be something you're not.