[ SECRET POST #5027 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #5027 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.


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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 02 pages, 42 secrets from Secret Submission Post #719.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

[sparklywalls]

I was a "weird" girl so definitely remember the appeal of this. At the same time age has kinda taught me that I can indulge those parts of me without shitting on other women and girls.

But society kinda encourages us to do that so I can't hate teenage girls for doing what they've been directed to do. I also feel that we can maybe find ways to explore these feelings that are healthier and don't treat other human beings like competition or inferior.

Idk. I'm tired so probably not articulating this well. I'm trying to say I see both sides of the argument but I think you only start to appreciate that with a bit more experience of the world outside your high school corridors. And that's still not to say that teenage girls can't be smart, because of course they can be. It's just that when so many of their general interests are dismissed as dumb OF COURSE some of them are gonna veer away from that and get a superiority complex.

[(Anonymous)]

I get where you're saying and completely agree.

[(Anonymous)]

you articulated fine. It's a definite society problem one becomes aware of with age and expanded POVs. It does help I think a lot of booktubers who have large teenage audiences are also willing to talk about it.

[sparklywalls]

One of the good things about having so many social media connections now is that people can do that more easily.

I know from my own experience that it would've been good for me to have someone opening a dialogue to say that just because the e.g. "princess" girls were being mean to me didn't mean they were automatically devoid of their own problems and rich inner lives. I mean, I did sort of already know that but when you're 15 and angry at people for bullying you for no reason you don't necessarily step back for a second. Any media that had "those" girls getting taught a horrible lesson still appealed to me regardless because I was hurting. And a lot of media certainly exploits that sort of dynamic.

[(Anonymous)]

-hugs-

In my experience, there was a great deal of invalidation going on from the adults around me including my mother. So having any validation the feelings were real and they were wrong and I wasn't horrible/insignificant was very appealing. Knowing your bullies have issues and they're taking it out on everyone around them including you, doesn't make a teenager feel better. Especially if they're "popular" and "pretty" and have nice things.

Media exploits it because it is easy, cheap conflict that can quickly create a bunch of drama even if you know, a five minute conversation about respect and some kindness would go a long way. And people who don't have great role models for relationships already will emulate what they see on TV because hey, it tends to work out okay in the end (b/c TV/books aren't realistic at all this way.) And we end up with "karens."

Thought about this too much obvs.

[sparklywalls]

Thanks anon, I think you definitely get where I'm coming from and from a similar period of your life full of frustration and as you say, adult invalidating your feelings - I'm sorry you and anyone else has to experience that. It's so easy even AS an adult to lose sight of the fact that the stuff young people are feeling is valid, even if it looks ridiculous to you as someone who has already been there and done that. Transitioning from childhood to adulthood is a rough time.

I think as an adult I wouldn't really have the time of day to indulge residual feelings toward my bullies too much but as a teen it 100% mattered and books telling me I was more special than them fed into a lot of the things I was feeling. I don't think it's right to create the Us and Them narrative but again, unfortunately it sells. And it's an easy sell at that. Boys have it too with the whole Jock Vs Nerd thing - though I don't think they're quite as subject to more rigid gender stereotypes tbh.

E.g. Realistically I'm definitely still a geek about a lot of things, but I also like wearing pretty dresses and styling my hair. Nowadays I like anything that points out it's ok to be feminine/not so feminine and be interested in things that don't necessarily align with that image. Women are allowed to be varied too.

[(Anonymous)]

AYRT

The best revenge is on bullies is to have a good life... never thinking about them at all.

That's what I strive for. I love video games and nerdy things. I also studied fashion design and power shop. I have too many nail polishes I don't wear but OH the pretty colors/sparkles.

Glass clink of solidarity.

The less a female character has to be "all female characters" the happier I am. I hope for media with big female casts that aren't regulated to things like Sex in the City in the future. And there are signs it will happen... hopefully the pandemic won't set us back.