FADE OFF - a submission for Maker’s Magazine ISSUE 4: WOMEN
WHEN FEMININITY BEING JUDGED AS A WEAKNESS, YOUNG WOMEN WILL TRY TO HIDE THEIR DELICATE TRAITS
In many everyday life situations, many women especially the young one feel that they need to hide their delicate femininity traits (such as elegance, gentleness, empathy, and sensitivity), just so they will be treated respectfully by the society.
When young women learn that society frames them as an object, they will begin to adapt to this circumstance by trying to fit into that mold or hide their feminine qualities because they think it will just put them in an inferior position.
In recent years, there is a “cool girl” phenomenon where girls are playing the role of a laid back, carefree, and sloppy person. There is also a “cold girl” trend, where girls are protecting themselves by putting a straight face, trying to look entirely emotionless.
Whether they realize it or not, many young women try to distance themselves from femininity and adopt what they think as masculine traits so they can be treated with the same respect as their men counterparts. They become neglected their feelings, wounds, and for the most part: the inequality itself.
These phenomena can be seen especially in entertainment and fashion industry, where ironically they are trying to promoting feminism through the depiction of boyish, bold, vicious, and heartless women.
There are nothing wrong for women to adopt “masculine” traits because it is very normal for a person to have both of feminine and masculine characteristics and still be who they really are.
But as a woman, we should stop trying to hide our distinctive values. We have to celebrate, appreciate, and be proud of our femininity. We have to show our femininity because the world actually needs more of diversity, delicacy, and kindness.
