Just realized I REALLY hate the phrase, "she's not a girly-girl"! (Warning - rant.)

[DisneylandDarling]

People are multi-dimensional and no trait is mutually exclusive. You're a girly girl with some things and a tomboy in others. (btw, HATE the word "tomboy" bleck!)

 

[RangerPooh]

Our younger DD10 is our girly-girl. She's always been into pink and frilly dresses. While her older sister (12) is not. We have raised them to play with Barbies and dolls as well as Tonka Trucks and trains. They enjoy camping and spending time out doors. While DD12 refuses to fish ever again (bad experience a few years ago), it's our girly girl (10yo) who enthusiastically tosses her line into the water. But their personalities ebb and flow with time and what's going on in their lives. We have raised them to be tough, to not feel the need to comply to what others think they should look and act like. That it's ok to be themselves. Honestly, I think that their involvement with Girl Scouts has helped embrace the notion that it's ok to be them self. To be unique, as over the years we have participated in numerous activities that have encouraged them to explore science and the outdoors, and embrace what makes them who they are. To try new things, and not feel the need to conform to gender roles. You can be a girl, but like 'boy' things.

But you know what our girly-girl DD wore to her 4th grade end of the year ceremony last spring? A beautiful frilly teal dress, with her hair lovingly curled. On her feet were her Adidas flats, and because it was chilly that morning, a plaid cover up. A dad who I sat next (and didn't know) commented to me "that girl rocks those Adidas" because she wasn't wearing the strappy sandals that all the other girls were wearing.

 

[Magpie]

But you know what our girly-girl DD wore to her 4th grade end of the year ceremony last spring? A beautiful frilly teal dress, with her hair lovingly curled. On her feet were her Adidas flats, and because it was chilly that morning, a plaid cover up. A dad who I sat next (and didn't know) commented to me "that girl rocks those Adidas" because she wasn't wearing the strappy sandals that all the other girls were wearing.

I went to the American ambassador's 4th of July bash once in my best party dress, and a pair of rubber boots and a bright red MEC rain jacket!

It was a cold, chilly, wet evening and the ambassador's BBQ was entirely outdoors. Most of the other women were shivering in flimsy shawls and losing their heels in the wet grass. The men weren't much better off, as many were in shoes that weren't designed to get wet, and evening jackets. I got SO many compliments and envious comments on my rain gear (as did my husband, who was dressed the same as me - though in a suit, not a dress).

Your daughter's got it right - never sacrifice comfort for fashion!

 

[gotomu212]

I don't like the phrase girly-girls it implies that one is somehow more of a girl-you are extra girl and the opposite is that you are less than a girl. Except being a girl is pretty bianary; you can't be more or less of a girl.

The other thing that annoyed me in the OP text was when organizers described that "this wasn't for girly-girls but for smart, creative girls" (paraphrased)--um are they say that girly-girls aren't smart or creative?

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

My daughter was considered a girly girl by our friends and her friends growing up. I've always hated the term because it seemed like it was a detrimental term. Yes, she loved her princesses and fashion but she was also a super athlete and very smart. She is studying to be a doctor now and is still very traditionally feminine. More so than I am. I love who she is and hate that parents and kids tried to shame her for her "girlyness" growing up. She was just being herself. Every girl and boy should be able to be themselves without the stupid labels.

Her grade 8 graduation had almost every girl wearing Converse high tops or Doc Martins with their dresses except her. She was rocking her heels when she went up for her Athlete of the Year award and got the same award when she graduated high school.

I hate the term tomboy just as much.

 

[Magpie]

I don't like the phrase girly-girls it implies that one is somehow more of a girl-you are extra girl and the opposite is that you are less than a girl. Except being a girl is pretty bianary; you can't be more or less of a girl.

The other thing that annoyed me in the OP text was when organizers described that "this wasn't for girly-girls but for smart, creative girls" (paraphrased)--um are they say that girly-girls aren't smart or creative?

I don't know if that's what they intended to say, but yes... that's exactly what it sounded like. I was annoyed enough to literally start trying to argue with the TV!

 

[AquamarineSteph]

No matter how advanced we see ourselves and our practices, the sad truth is that many people live by labeling others.

I was never a 'girly girl' but in my situation, it was considered an insult that I wasn't one of them. I was encouraged to be more 'girlie' because that's the only way anyone would want me.

I'm not saying that's how it is. I am merely relating my personal experience.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I am a girly girl. I love the color pink. I like getting my nails done.

I also spend my Saturdays watching football. And I have my Master in Architecture.

When I first started out in architecture, I was so worried that people would find out that I was a "girly girl" and not think that I was intelligent or capable. I would try to wear all black (the architect dress code) and make my work look as masculine as possible.

And then somewhere down the road, I realized that I enjoyed my work more when I'm doing what I want to do - not what I think others want to see from me. So my projects are apologetically pink. And I wear bright colors and dresses. And the men in my field don't talk down to me or think that I'm not capable - because they know that I'm serious and rigorous (and probably smarter than them xD).

I am glad that women are entering formerly male-dominated fields (my sister, considered "girlier" than me growing up, is a construction project manager). But women don't have to dress like men in these roles (well, unless there's a uniform involved). They don't have to pretend to be someone they're not - everyone should be themselves because we all have unique contributions to make.

 

[Southernmiss]

I'm one who sees it as a descriptive term. I say DD is not a girly girl and folks get a quick picture. But then I qualify it with she is a soccer goal keeper and plays varsity volleyball, but wears dresses to church and on special occasions. She's well rounded. Having been raised with 3 older brothers, her own attitude and decisions since she was little--really that describes most women in my family from my grandmother down to dd. We are a bunch of strong willed, head strong women who know no boundaries or limits. And take on any project that needs to be done from cooking to lawn care and home fix-its.

 

[North of Mouse]

I never thought of a "girly-girl" as being an insult.

I also don't dislike the term at all. I loved my girly girl, and promoted it every chance I had. Having two sons was enough of the 'boy' though I love them dearly. My g'dau. also is very much a girly girl and has never suffered from the term, or being one!

Weak, she is not! Has been a lifeguard on Outer Banks since she was 15, and was a senior lifeguard at the new Outer Banks water park this summer, also a nursing student - also doesn't weigh over 100 lbs. but very strong. She doesn't mind being our girly girl.

 

[CarolAnn856]

I think that there is a difference in the two ways the phrase is used.

"She's a girly girl" seems to describe the girl's fashion preferences and is not an insult.

On the other hand, the phrase "She's not a girly girl," when said with a hint of pride, definitely implies that it's better to not be one.

I love that some tech companies are now including fashion, art, and other non-tech-specific areas in their STEM offerings, showing that the tech industry needs people who have a wide variety of interests.

 

[ctinct]

Going off on a bit of a tangent here. My son played football when he was young. I also have two daughters who got dragged along to practices. I had more than a few quiet talks with coaches after practice explaining that, "you throw like a girl" or "you're running like a girl " was demeaning. Some of these coaches had daughters of their own. I'm not sure I ever changed anyone's behavior permanently, but it helped in the short run.

 

[Sparkly]

I guess I was a girly girl when I was little. Favourite colour was pink, liked to wear skirts and played with Barbie dolls and such. I've never been any two of the extremes though.