$100, a "Girl Math" Lesson, and the Wild World of the "Girl" Prefix
Hello!
Remember the days when having "$100" felt like owning Aladdin's lamp? Endless opportunities. No? Just me? Okay, moving on.
Recently, I stumbled upon a captivating piece written by an insightful individual which got my little grey cells buzzing. The brilliant author tackled a curious phenomenon: the rampant addition of the word "girl" to, well, everything. "Girl math," "girl dinner," "lazy girl job" – sound familiar? Let's deep dive, shall we, with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of sass.
When Oenone Forbat and a pal were addressed as "girls" on a vacay, she didn't exactly feel like she'd won the lottery. It felt, in her words, "infantilizing." A tad uncomfortable, no? But there's a twist. These days, "girl" isn't just for describing young females. It's been slapped onto ordinary stuff like a fresh trend sticker. Why? Who knows? But the bigger query is, does this whole "girl prefix" thing help or hinder feminism?
If you're not "in the know" (It's okay, I just got clued in too), "girl math" is basically the art of justifying that swanky bag purchase by breaking down its cost to your daily latte. It’s basically a calculator, a pinch of humor, and a dash of self-reassurance. "Girl dinner," on the other hand, champions simplicity over a 5-course meal, while "lazy girl job" paints a picture of sun-soaked remote work next to a pool (with pals, of course!). And "rat girl summer?" Well, let's just say it involves scurrying, nibbling, and being where you probably shouldn't be.
Forbat emphasizes context. If a close friend calls her "girl," it's cool. But from a stranger? Not so much. It’s a matter of reclaiming feminine power. But a word of caution - just like not everyone can flaunt Gucci, not everyone can resonate with this "girl" trend. For many, life is about making ends meet rather than doing "girl math" for luxury bags.
Remember when being a "girly girl" felt like a no-go in the feminist universe? I mean, could you even consider yourself a feminist if you still liked Barbie? But times, they are a-changin'. Now, it’s about embracing that girly side and turning it on its head. "Girl math" is less about numbers and more about making a statement. It’s not about upholding traditional power dynamics but rather mocking them while taking care of oneself.
Could this "girl" evolution be a pandemic side effect? Maybe it was a combination of nostalgia, Taylor Swift's influence (let's be real, she’s always an influencer), and fresh takes on feminism. The trend now is about celebrating the very aspects society often marginalizes.
Here's my hot take, borrowing from Forbat: it's like stepping into a Barbie world with a sassy twist. Everyone's invited, regardless of gender. Because in the end, it's not about being a girl, but about finding joy and power in what makes us feel alive.
As Forbat wisely puts it, not every move needs a feminism stamp of approval. Some things are just meant for giggles, insights, and maybe a little "girl math" on the side. So, the next time you have that $100 bill, why not delve into some "girl math" and see where it takes you? Cheers to reclaiming, reframing, and just having a bit of fun!
Check out the original article here 'Girl math,' 'lazy girl job' and 'girl dinner': Why do we keep adding 'girl' to everything?