I saw this video on the web today, and though it would probably be considered "inappropriate" for school, I wish I could show it to my classes. There is definitely pressure on girls to act like, or be a "stupid girl."
It's increasingly difficult for young women to accept themselves in a culture in which the standards of beauty focus on being seen in the correct skimpy clothes, complete with over-priced accessories, push-up bras, high heels, tons of makeup, artificially enhanced hair, and a body shape that defies what most of them can begin to accomplish with anything less than extreme dieting and a boob job. Behaviors that accompany this tend toward downplaying their intelligence, acting "sexy," and an it's-all-about-me attitude. I see plenty of girls who resist this pressure, but not without their share of angst. It takes a lot of self-confidence to be okay with being your unenhanced self, smart, and kind and compassionate, when one looks around and sees who's getting most of the attention and seems to be having most of the fun.
Preaching about this will get a teacher nowhere. Even for those who are repected by kids, it's tricky not to come off as one who just doesn't get it when it comes to issues of their culture. As a member of the don't-trust-anyone-over-30 generation, I understand this, therefore, I hope this video gets lots of airplay, and the girls who aren't "stupid girls" get that they are valued for their strength, intelligence, and self-knowledge, knowing that Pink does.
Here's a link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar6bhinHVh4
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