What does "Girlhood" mean to me?
I always thought of girlhood as a time between 7 and 12, when we first realized they were different from boys, and that we could no longer burp the alphabet, wear boys’ clothes, yell, or sit with our legs apart. It meant that I needed to find popular and attractive older girls, and copy what they did, so I fit in too. If I acted like a boy, no boy would want me. I expected girls’ studies would focus on our behavior during this time, and give some insight into why we act the way we do.
The book Young Femininity defines girlhood as an always changing, cultural construction without chronological age-limits. (6) During this time in a young woman’s life, her experiences shape her identity as a woman. Race, class, sexuality, and ethnicity determine what experiences she will have.
Not all girls are alike. White, upper-class girls living in stable and loving homes, seem to have limitless opportunities. On the other hand, poor minorities living without both parents, and even bare necessities, have nothing to look forward to. Although we are making progress by addressing the importance of this time in a young woman’s life, we know little about girls that are not white, privileged, heterosexual, and able-bodied. Harris points out, “The differences between young women need as much attention as the features that are shared.” (xx)
Girls must develop strengths and skills that help them flourish during this tricky period. Many girls face depression, eating disorders, violence, and self-injury. “They are coming of age in a more dangerous, sexualized, and media-saturated culture.” (Harris, 17) Women need to recognize and overcome issues they first experienced during girlhood, and work with girls to promote healing and change. We need to move away from focusing on an individual girl at risk, and instead work together, women and girls, to change our culture to better accommodate all of our needs.
I hope to gain a better understanding of what challenges young women confront today. I want to know why so many of us struggled during this time, why we still carry the emotional scars well into adulthood, and how we can help change this harmful trend in our society.
The book Young Femininity defines girlhood as an always changing, cultural construction without chronological age-limits. (6) During this time in a young woman’s life, her experiences shape her identity as a woman. Race, class, sexuality, and ethnicity determine what experiences she will have.
Not all girls are alike. White, upper-class girls living in stable and loving homes, seem to have limitless opportunities. On the other hand, poor minorities living without both parents, and even bare necessities, have nothing to look forward to. Although we are making progress by addressing the importance of this time in a young woman’s life, we know little about girls that are not white, privileged, heterosexual, and able-bodied. Harris points out, “The differences between young women need as much attention as the features that are shared.” (xx)
Girls must develop strengths and skills that help them flourish during this tricky period. Many girls face depression, eating disorders, violence, and self-injury. “They are coming of age in a more dangerous, sexualized, and media-saturated culture.” (Harris, 17) Women need to recognize and overcome issues they first experienced during girlhood, and work with girls to promote healing and change. We need to move away from focusing on an individual girl at risk, and instead work together, women and girls, to change our culture to better accommodate all of our needs.
I hope to gain a better understanding of what challenges young women confront today. I want to know why so many of us struggled during this time, why we still carry the emotional scars well into adulthood, and how we can help change this harmful trend in our society.
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