01/04/2026
#๐ข๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ข๐ฝ๐๐ฑ: ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐โ๐น๐น ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ
A reality that I have to grapple with is that when I grow up, I will realize that society ultimately thinks that a man is inherently better than a woman. In any moment of our entire lives, โMen are stronger, more capable.โ God is depicted as a man; most world leaders are men, men dominate the workforce, men do the hard labor, and the default model of strength is a (mostly white) cisgendered male, who embodies brute force, muscle, and male dominance in movies.
But conversely, I didn't grow up consuming these portrayals at all. As a child, and I think I still do in some way now, I always dismissed these depictions as soulless and ridiculous. The flashyness of human strength from men did not impress me in the slightest because I grew up with many diverse female influences in my life who I would consider such strong individuals despite their different backgrounds. My heroes didn't wear capes, they wore a fastfood uniform, oversized dusters and old rusty working cloth.
Some of them are working in corporate settings, some of them are housewives, some of them are farmers who work under the sun, and some of them are just getting by in life. These women showed me true strength and resilience in the face of a cruel world. With their diverse backgrounds, it gave me the impression that there is no one singular way to be strong, that strength comes from within each and everyone of us no matter the gender and circumstances we are born in.
And with a certain female figure in the media that has been around for several decades inspiring young girls to be themselves, Barbie. For me, and Iโm sure to many young girls, she isn't just a doll, but a symbol for female empowerment not just for girls and women, and also to q***r children who don't conform to the masculine ideals of many cultures. As controversial of a figure that she might be, Barbie provided an alternative reality for young people to project themselves into. In this world, a woman can be a president, a doctor, an actor, a fire fighter, a pilot, an astronaut and more; all of that while not sacrificing her femininity. Barbie can be everything and she is everything.
But imagine my shock when I found out that these realities are not present in the real world I live in. Describing this experience reminds me of the 2023 film Barbie, where the titular character, Barbie, travels to the real world and how it contrasted the bright and vibrant colors of Barbie land to the cold grey walls of Los Angeles. The first time I watched the scene, it gave me that uncomfortable feeling as it felt too close to home and I assume every woman has felt that at some point in their lives; when the facade of a perfect world collapses right between their eyes.
Suddenly, everyone is doubting you. They're trying to bring you down a peg because they donโt like outspoken women. Now, everyone is trying to put you in your place; in the kitchen, in a house, where youโll have children and cook dinner for your husbands. Not that thereโs anything wrong with that, but your options are suddenly limited.
How does a young girl make sense of the world that thinks sheโs lesser? Less worthy? Less capable? Because of her biology. How the idea of inequality is deeply rooted in every aspect of her life. From the moment sheโs born and up until she reunites with her creator. To find out that everything she does will never satisfy the hunger for perfection and control from a patriarchal world.
โDonโt be too loud, cause men donโt like loud women.
Donโt be fat โcause men donโt like fat women.
Donโt be too skinny โcause youโll set a bad example for young girls.
Donโt be so โโโโโโโ serious all the time. Smile โcause men might get threatened and uncomfortable.
Donโt dress provocatively โcause youโll attract men and when you get โโโโโ, it is ultimately your fault. Men cannot control their urges.
But donโt dress too conservatively, because youโll look like a prude and no man will ever date you.
Also donโt say you like women because you're just confused. Itโs just a phase and, one day, you'll meet a man who will make you straight.โ
I sometimes wish I could return to childhood, when my biggest concern was dreaming of being a fairy with magical powers wrapped in a kind of whimsy and innocence that shielded me from the worldโs harsh realities. Now, as a young woman, my dreams have shifted toward seeking freedom not only for myself, but for the women who stand beside me. Being a woman in society comes with its own set of sacrifices, requiring strength, endurance, and resilience. I wouldn't have found that strength without the women in my life. From the young girl you once were, to the woman you are today, and the one you are still becoming, always remember to be kind but never fragile. ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐ฃ๐ค๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฃ ๐๐ช๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐ ๐ข๐ช๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐จ ๐๐๐๐๐ฉ.
Text | Elle Remo ([email protected], +639681643780)
Visuals | Joaquin Mapa
Editor's Note: The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publication and its members.
