Being female in 2016 isn't easy. We, as females, are constantly shamed and ridiculed for just about anything and everything we do. We get slut shamed, body shamed, called "crazy" and "emotional" and so much more. The majority of these comments come from men. So here is a little PSA to let you know that we're people too.
1. We're not just "on our periods"
Contrary to what you may think, just because we are mad, upset or moody, it doesn't mean we are on our periods. I, for one, get moody more than just that one week out of the month because, frankly, people piss me off. It's called that time of the month for a reason, it's a week-long thing, not a life-long one. Plus not all girls get moody on their periods. Odds are you probably did something to annoy me and that's why I'm mad, it's not my period. On the off occasion it is my period, I'm bleeding out of my "you know where" and I'm feeling cramps similar to that of you getting flicked in the nuts, so leave me alone.
2. We aren't "crazy" or "psycho"
These terms are really irritating, they depict women as crazy and unstable when in reality we tend to be much more level-headed than men. If we get upset to a point where you think we're being "crazy" instead of calling us that and fueling the fire, try to figure out the real reason we are upset. We usually aren't only upset with what we’re yelling about, it was just the tip of the iceberg.
3. Please, stop body shaming us
Stop calling us fat, stop calling us anorexic, stop telling us to be shorter or taller, tanner, blonder, to get a thigh gap, a bigger butt, bigger boobs, smaller boobs, just stop. Because if I'm being totally honest with you, if all girls were skinny with big boobs, a big butt, and a thigh gap, we would look like chickens. Not to mention it isn't physically possible to have a big butt and a thigh gap at the same time, and to have a thigh gap, you have to be born that way, you can't just "get one." All of these standards make us feel like we aren't good enough, so please stop forcing these on us and just love us for who we are and build us up, don't tear us down.
4. We're sensitive, understand that
We aren't "emotional," we're sensitive. Whether we show it or not, we are, it's just a matter of how we handle it when we're alone. We either cry it out in front of you and then overthink it at home, or we brush it off in front of you and go home and cry alone. I'm not saying you have to walk on eggshells around us, but you need to understand that we have feelings too and sometimes they get hurt more easily than yours. So just take into account that we're sensitive before you go spewing all these mean things at us. And don't say we're being too emotional or that everything you say hurts us, because everyone handles things differently, including you.
5. Don't slut shame us
Just because we have sex with a guy doesn't mean we're a slut. The last time I checked, a slut is someone who sleeps around with multiple partners, usually unprotected, and has no problem letting people know that she's "open for business." There's a lot more guys out there with slut mentalities, using girls for sex but first making them think they have a shot at a real relationship with them, then leaving right after they get what they want. So if I sleep with a guy, it's my choice, it's one guy, I'm not a slut. And if I get a boyfriend and we end up sleeping together, I'm not a slut, I'm in a happy, intimate, and comfortable relationship, so step off.
6. Don't judge us by what we wear
Now I know the only uncomfortable thing you guys have to wear is a tux, but for girls most things are uncomfortable to wear. I have about seven pairs of black leggings that all look the same. No, I'm not wearing the same thing all week, I'm just wearing what's actually comfortable for me. And no, I'm not a bum if I wear sweatpants, I'm comfortable, leave me alone. And I'm not a slut if I wear a body con dress and heels, I wanna look pretty, even if I'm ten seconds away from cutting my feet off because these heels are killing me.
7. Don't cat call us
Cat calling is gross, cat calling is rude and cat calling is creepy, not flattering. So just don't do it. 10/10 I will walk away and glare at you like you just pissed me off, because you did.
8. We don't gossip when we go to pee
We travel in packs because we have to. We never walk alone because we are scared of being approached by a creep. I'm 18 and I have been approached and followed two times in the past couple years. Both in public places, both times not surrounded by friends. So next time you judge us for going pee in a group of eight, just remember your biggest problem going to the bathroom is that someone might be checking out your penis, ours is that a guy may follow us in and assault us.
9. Be cute, not creepy
If you think I'm cute, I'm flattered, but don't creep on me in a Walmart at 10 p.m. Come up, give me a compliment and if I deny you, please just walk away. If you follow me around, I will call the police and most likely Mace you because I do keep one on my keys. And if you don't leave me alone after I deny you, expect the same results because you're harassing me, and I don't take kindly to creeps, neither do most girls.
Women are sensitive, that’s why we get emotional and why we may seem like we are “on our periods” but please don’t accuse us of this because odds are that we aren’t. We are people too and we have feelings too so please respect them. Respect our decision to wear what we want, feel what we want, and be who we want and we will respect you too.
