Why We Need Feminism in 2021 #4

Day 4 of #whyweneedfeminismin2021

Kindergarten taught me what good meant, so over time when someone asked me if I was a good girl, I took the term for granted and accepted the adjective. I was a good girl. Meaning, I thought good meant loyal, kind, helping, compassionate, humble. Someone who would stick to their values and morals. I was a good girl.

But, over time I realised the term good changes from person to person and means different for each of them. But most of all, the term good girl applies to only those girls who are compliant, flexible in any way people please them to be, and most of all adjusting. A good girl is someone who will say yes to everything, and keep everyone else before themselves. I realised I am not a good girl. I understand how important my loved ones are, and how far I can go for them, but there is always a boundary and there is always one person who is important too. That person is me.

I am not a good girl.

#qotd Have you ever been termed a good girl for any different reason? Or has your sister, daughter, wife, friend ever been termed so? Or good comes only when you are compliant? Think.

5 responses to “Why We Need Feminism in 2021 #4”

paeansunplugged

05.02.2021

Me neither.

LikeLiked by 2 people

radhikasreflection

05.02.2021

So so true Moushumi. I have always been a good girl. But now have realised carrying that label is burdening me a lot.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Paul

05.02.2021

Obviously I can’t answer the question, but I can relate to what your are saying, Moushmi. One of the great hindrances of the feminist movement to empower females young and old has been the “buy in” to male patriarchy of other women–women who for one reason or the other have internalized the notion of male superiority and, hence, allow the male world to define them. They must be submissive, quiet, docile, and sexually available, and on a whim can be labeled “slut” at any turn, and they accept that. I think so many mothers, as much out of fear, as anything, raise their daughters to not be strong. To be strong is to be different, to be an outcast, to be shunned. People look to America as a land where women are free and strong, but that’s not the case. Misogyny is well and strong here and practiced by thousands upon thousands of women. It’s an ongoing struggle. Therefore, this is a great message. Keep up the good fight!

LikeLiked by 3 people

Megala

05.02.2021

I totally agree with you, being a “good girl” is entirely our choice.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Infinite Living

05.02.2021

I remember the day I was so shocked at some outcome and cried to myself “I was a good girl, why did I deserve this?” Well I then learnt I didn’t need to be the good girl. I can live for myself and be good to myself first.

LikeLiked by 2 people

paeansunplugged

05.02.2021

Me neither.

LikeLiked by 2 people

radhikasreflection

05.02.2021

So so true Moushumi. I have always been a good girl. But now have realised carrying that label is burdening me a lot.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Paul

05.02.2021

Obviously I can’t answer the question, but I can relate to what your are saying, Moushmi. One of the great hindrances of the feminist movement to empower females young and old has been the “buy in” to male patriarchy of other women–women who for one reason or the other have internalized the notion of male superiority and, hence, allow the male world to define them. They must be submissive, quiet, docile, and sexually available, and on a whim can be labeled “slut” at any turn, and they accept that. I think so many mothers, as much out of fear, as anything, raise their daughters to not be strong. To be strong is to be different, to be an outcast, to be shunned. People look to America as a land where women are free and strong, but that’s not the case. Misogyny is well and strong here and practiced by thousands upon thousands of women. It’s an ongoing struggle. Therefore, this is a great message. Keep up the good fight!

LikeLiked by 3 people

Megala

05.02.2021

I totally agree with you, being a “good girl” is entirely our choice.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Infinite Living

05.02.2021

I remember the day I was so shocked at some outcome and cried to myself “I was a good girl, why did I deserve this?” Well I then learnt I didn’t need to be the good girl. I can live for myself and be good to myself first.

LikeLiked by 2 people