By: Nessa Purdy

Opinion Editor

The idea of “Girlboss” feminism rose to popularity in the early 2010s by emphasizing the idea that true feminism is quintessentially about being your own boss, working hard, and establishing your independence. This strain of feminism was particularly prominent on social media and television a decade ago. For most of my childhood, the only impression I had of feminism was that it solely promoted ideals of strength, power, and boldness in women. For myself, as well as many other girls my age, this manifested into a rejection of anything outright “girly,” and a belief that simply being a girl wasn’t enough. While these ideals are important and valid when it comes to educating young girls about feminism, the pendulum has swung too far and “Girlboss” feminism has now become anti-feminist as it rejects what it truly means to be a modern woman.

The idea that true feminism is complete independence and strength has come to villainize other traditionally feminine traits. Particularly on social media, the desire to get married and be a mother is almost a cliché now, and many view it as a disservice to feminism. TikTok influencers especially have echoed these ideals to their audiences of mostly impressionable, young girls. These individuals simplify feminism to banish any sort of vulnerability or anything stereotypically feminine, which caters to misogynistic and patriarchal views. Putting women down for choosing marriage or motherhood over pursuing careers is inherently anti-feminist. While it can be argued that these things are rooted in misogyny, devaluing women who desire these things thus devalues the movement as a whole.   

 The opposition to traditional femininity that this movement promotes has also led to the rise of the “Pick-me girl”. These are women who adamantly refuse to adopt traditionally feminine traits, often in pursuit of male attention or approval. Dictionary.com defines “pick-me girls” as “a woman who obviously and obsessively works to gain men’s attention or acceptance.” The “Pick-me girl” phenomenon has taken social media by storm, specifically on TikTok, and the immense backlash against this trend has unfortunately only incited more animosity. These curated forms of feminism only create a vicious and harmful cycle of female hatred. 

Female empowerment should not be about deciding what should or should not be labeled as feminism; there is just as much strength in independence and power as there is in vulnerability and sensitivity. True feminism should embrace the freedom of being able to decide how we choose to express our femininity.  

(Sources: Dictionary.com)