Expressing Individuality

From: Josie

Throughout adolescence there are many struggles that often go unnoticed in young girls' experiences.
This includes the roles preassigned to them by society, more specifically involving activities and
interests. Toy and activity preference is reinforced through the media, peers, and settings or
environment often from an early age. Young girls are taught to conform to these unrealistic standards of femininity and that any divergence from this path is wrong or the unique exception. "The Two Cultures' of Childhood" explains that gender schemas, the way one views the world and gender roles that directly relate to social and emotional preferences, become a big aspect of one's identity, personality, and the way one acts to be socially accepted. Children's preferences and activities and toys are a learned behavior from the world around them including parents, peers, and media a notable example of this is "The Smurfette Principle" described by Katha Pollitt, explaining that media displays women's or girls existing only in relation to something or somebody else, not as an individual (Pollitt 2). Young girls strive to be accepted but are policed by gender roles that do not allow individuality and expression.

The picture shows my younger sister (13) surrounded by some of her favorite interests and activities. In recent years she has been able to express herself more than before. She would feel outcast from peers because some of her interests were not necessarily feminine enough for them. Later, while accepting and understanding her queer identity, especially in a supportive household, she gained the confidence to express herself and grow into her interests such as sports, gaming, fashion, and art while simultaneously breaking down gender roles. The items around her represent stereotypically feminine and masculine things that she enjoys. The downward angle of the photograph represents the feeling of being less than or unequal. Finally, the headphones she is wearing not only show her interest in music but symbolize her ability to block out society's pressures to act a certain way or enjoy certain things. Women and young girls are placed into a box of what feminine should and should not be. As well, society often shames women with masculine traits or deems any masculinity as something that does not describe or represent a woman.

Rudman, Laurie A., et al. "The Two Cultures of Childhood." The Social Psychology of
Gender: How Power and Intimacy Shape Gender Relations. The Guilford Press,
2015, 59-63.


Pollitt, Katha. "Hers; The Smurfette Principle." The New York Times, 7 Apr. 1991.