Let’s explore why mansplaining and manspreading are problematic behaviors (beyond the obvious reasons, of course). In that case, it all comes down to one thing: Society has discouraged women from taking up space physically, psychologically, and intellectually for decades.
We’ve only scratched the surface by calling out manspreading and mansplaining. Intellectually and psychologically, society still often expects women to retreat into corners and not express their authentic selves. Why am I saying this? Am I a pessimist? Or am I a misandrist? Am I a bitter, single woman who can’t help but look for a chance to portray women as victims?
I think I am just a woman who’s tired of seeing women being taken as jokes. Let’s take, for instance, this TikTok trend that has taken the world by storm – the ‘Girl Math, Girl Dinner’ trend. Women worldwide are sharing how they manage their finances and what they eat for dinner under these hashtags.
But it’s not just this; the idea behind ‘Girl Dinner’ is to discuss the things we women eat when we’re at ease, when we feel like we’re exempt from the judgment of society, of patriarchy, of certain men who may look at our food, give it a disapproving frown, and call it ‘unhealthy.’
‘Girl Dinners’ are about throwing together easy-to-make meals that some people even describe as lazy work. And the truth is, that’s the point. We want to do something for our enjoyment, for the nourishment of our taste buds and bodies, without hearing the critical comments most women have grown up hearing. Comments such as, ‘Wow, you’re such a bad cook.’ Or, ‘No wonder you’re single, you can’t even cook a proper meal to feed yourself, how will you ever be able to cook for your partner, or children?’
The truth is, women are exhausted by trying to be good at things so they can serve the people around them. We want to make an easy meal without someone telling us we need to ‘Be better, do better.’
We also understand that this isn’t an excuse to neglect your health and opt for unhealthy food. This trend is not an invitation to glorify poor eating habits. Rather, it’s an invitation to make peace with the fact that sometimes it’s okay if it’s the bare minimum. Sometimes, you deserve to rest, and sometimes, you deserve to let yourself be laid back.
Now, the same applies to the ‘Girl Math,’ Girl Dinner’ trend. It’s an idea to manage personal finances terribly. It’s an invitation to give yourself the freedom to own your hard-earned money. ‘Girl Math ’ is about women handling our finances with a sense of autonomy that may not resonate with people conditioned to understand money through the lens of patriarchy.
But if I were to simplify it, I’d describe it as spending money in a way that earns you time to save, lets you get full use of a high-end product, or doesn’t impact your savings.
These trends may look like frivolous little habits. Many women still navigate their lives with them. In reality, women use these trends as strategic, long-term thinking. Much of the content under these hashtags seems bizarre. Women probably created that content as satire. They joke about their less-than-perfect habits. Because maybe, just maybe, we know how not to take ourselves so seriously!
These trends have given hundreds of women space to be imperfect. Maybe it’s just a silly little trend, but it’s also a virtual breathing space for women.
