As a woman, I have grown up hearing all kinds of bizarre things about what I can and cannot do, usually coming from people who are either not women or grew up in a time when women didn't really have much of a say on things. I understand that times have changed, and we are doing so much better than before; however, women still get treated as if they need someone to watch after them or baby them. If you haven't realized this yet, women have the ability to be strong, independent, and to be able to change the world. However, we are often discouraged by people who feel as though we are someone else's property, even less than human. SO, here are some things that I'm sure many women can relate to hearing and experiencing at least a few times a week:

1. "You can do that?"

We can do anything we put our minds to just as well as everyone else, if not better.

2. "Can you really eat all of that?"

Uhm, yes. Just because we are women doesn't mean we don't like big meals and junk food as much as the next person.

3. "It must be your time of the month."

That's the worst thing you can say. Standing up for ourselves doesn't mean we are having our menstrual cycles. Having a bad day doesn't mean we are, either. Also, do you think you have the power to tell when women are having their periods? Seriously?

4. "Do you need help with that? Isn't that too heavy for you?"

Does being a woman somehow mean we are weaker than everyone else? Hey, I'm not the strongest person in the world, but I can lift more than a roll of toilet paper.

5. "I think you should calm down."

I think you should check yourself before you wreck yourself. But seriously, this only makes us even more mad at you. Even if you are thinking that we need to calm down, and even if we are getting a little too heated, don't say it. Why? It seems like you are saying it isn't okay for us to be anything more than cool, calm, and collected.

6. "Hey girl, you look good." Or, any other kind of pathetic catcalling.

We aren't animals. We are human beings. As human beings, we should be able to walk into the grocery store without fearing that we will get whistled at by a stranger, who usually is a man. No matter what some people may believe, it isn't a compliment to be whistled at by some creepy person in a car. Ever.

7. "Real women have _______."

So, you're saying that a woman isn't a woman if she doesn't have curves where you think she should, a butt size like you think she should, or a waist size that you think she should. I mean, who thinks one has the right to say what qualifies as a "real" woman and what doesn't? Nobody, and definitely not the person who doesn't know the difference between their and there . . .

8. "Women are bad drivers!"

Yes, some women are bad drivers . . . but some men are, too. Being a woman doesn't mean we are predisposed to be bad drivers. I mean, men have been shown to have more road range than women and higher insurance costs, so . . . *sips tea*

9. "What were you wearing?"

We should be allowed to wear whatever we want without fear that it means we are "asking" to be hit on or even assaulted. Sadly, this isn't the case. If I want to wear a dress, I should be able to do so without feeling as if I can't be alone or I could have the chance of being hurt, simply for the clothing I am wearing.

10. "Why aren't you in the kitchen?"

Maybe because this isn't the 1950s . . .? But seriously, this comment is ridiculous. Women are supposed to be teachers, nurses, stay-at-home mothers, lawyers, doctors, service members, electrical technicians . . . so many things! Yes, some women do stay at home all day and take care of the home and their children, which there is absolutely nothing wrong with. However, women should be able to, if they so desire, to have whatever career they please without being treated as if they are doing something wrong.