+34
No, I don’t want to go for a girl walk before my girl dinner with my girl mates: I am a grown woman who walks and eats and votes – and, patriarchy, I am on to you, says freelance journalist Elle Hunt
No, I don’t want to go for a girl walk before my girl dinner with my girl mates: I am a grown woman who walks and eats and votes – and, patriarchy, I am on to youhis morning, after waking up with my girl cats, I made myself a cup of girl coffee then got stuck into some girl work.
I took a break to lift some girl weights, then sent some more girl emails. Finally, after my girl dinner, it was time to get some sleep ahead of another long, hard day of being a girl. I know what you’re thinking: why is this woman so insistent on gendering her unremarkable activities, and infantilising herself when she is clearly an adult? It’s a fair question.
Since the pandemic, when “Today you might be a “clean girl” or a “cool girl” or a “” . To insist that you are an adult woman, however, marks you as a killjoy. This trend infuriates me, to a humourless and even antisocial degree.
My self-restraint ran out while on holiday in Paris with my poor sister, whose unwitting proposal of a lighter evening meal sparked a minutes-long tirade from me, stemmed only by the arrival of our charcuterie board. It transpired then that I was just hangry, and I apologised for ranting. On the upside: my sister hasn’t referred to “girl dinner” around me since.
I know my response is disproportionate – that it’s only fun, a lighthearted attempt to wring levity from daily mundanity. One could argue that the “girl” trend is an effort to elevate young women, a powerful cultural force that has historically been dismissed . With girls often socialised into taking care of others, some women may be trying to conjure up the playfulness and freedom they felt denied as children.
You might also reasonably say: it’s just not that deep. I’d argue, however, that the “girl” trend is far from harmless. For one, it is frequently a Trojan horse for consumerism, with beauty products and fashions prescribed with each new iteration. More importantly, the trend is self-infantilising and insidious, all the more so for seeming so innocuous.
In an equal world, sure, grown women could feel free to joke about being just girls, blissfully free from responsibilities such as voting; but at a time when so many are actively working to disenfranchise us, it feels a bit like cooperating. , we can’t risk giving ammunition to those who want to take them away; we should be standing firm in our political power and taking every opportunity to express it. Today’s girls are counting on us.
Meanwhile, whenever I hear grown women talking about their hot girl walks or clean girl makeup or messy girl desks, I’m reminded of Malibu Stacy, the Barbie-parodying doll from The Simpsons, vacuously trilling “
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Roosters face Knights in 2026 NRL Grand Final as Ponga and Nawaqanitawase loom as gamebreakersThe Sydney Roosters hunt a 16th premiership against a Newcastle Knights side riding three straight finals upsets. Kalyn Ponga and Mark Nawaqanitawase are the key threats at Accor Stadium.
Read more »
Chad Lowe's Daughter Fiona Dies at Age 13Chad Lowe and his partner Painter announced the tragic death of their 13-year-old daughter Fiona. The couple described her as a smart, creative, and loving girl who adored dancing. While no official cause was confirmed, speculation about self-harm prompted the parents to encourage mental health support. Tributes poured in from friends and family, including David Boreanaz and Chad Lowe's father.
Read more »
The Hot Girl's Guide to Old 4WDs: Why Vintage SUVs Are the New BlackForget flashy sports cars or sleek hatchbacks - the ultimate status symbol for style-conscious young women is now a rugged, old-school 4WD. From noisy LandCruisers to bare-bones Pajeros, these vintage beasts are being snatched up by creatives who crave adventure and a deeper connection to their ride. It's not about luxury; it's about grit, self-reliance, and making a bold statement on the open road.
Read more »
Teenager Charged After Car Crashes Into Newcastle Knights FansTen people were taken to hospital after a car driven erratically by a teenager crashed into a crowd of Newcastle Knights fans in Newcastle on Saturday. The driver and two passengers were removed from the scene by police as bystanders assisted injured supporters. A five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man remain in critical condition, while the teenager was released from hospital and taken to a police station pending charges.
Read more »