If I Were a Boy, How Would I Be as a Man?
As a girl, I am more than aware how the patriarchy runs the world. I eat sexism for breakfast, misogyny for lunch, and nothing for dinner. I wonder, if I were a boy, how would I be as a man?
The negative effects of the system mostly affect women and other minorities along the globe. I did not only become socially aware out of choice but also out of necessity. As a woman, I had to take the extra steps in order to learn and navigate the environment that I am in.
As a girl, I do not have the privileges that boys do. I do not feel safe walking the streets because I might get catcalled or worse. I have to work twice as hard than boys my age to get the same recognition that they acquire more easily in school. They say that my clothes, my attitude, and my behavior are inappropriate. You know, because as a girl, I’m bratty. And for boys, it’s just puberty.
If I were a boy, I’d put myself first and make the rules as I go
If I were a boy, I’d be more carefree and do things without wondering how it’s going to reflect on me. I would go out topless without being ogled at. I would jog at night with no worries. I would be as arrogant as I want because that’s how cool guys are. I would be as insensitive and cold as I can afford, because I wouldn’t be expected to be nice and charming like a girl. I would frown as much as I could, and I know other men wouldn’t tell me to smile. I would wear the most unflattering clothes, and nobody would care.
If I were a boy, I wouldn’t care about feminism. Why would I? I have all the privileges in the world, and if I’m not directly disrespecting women, then why would I be a part of the problem? If I weren’t contributing to the oppression of women, then why would I have to educate myself about the system? I wouldn’t be doing anything wrong. I wouldn’t be doing anything at all.
If I were a boy, that would be the kind of thinking instilled on me from a very young age, fortunately, I am a girl.
If I were a boy, I’d be a better man
If I were a boy, I would feel it as a responsibility to stand up to my fellow men who continuously do harm to women. It is a responsibility as a man to break the cycle of the system set up and enabled by men.
If I were a boy, I’d totally act like a girl.
