As a 22-year-old female college student, certain things are expected of me.
My culture points out the necessity of having a prominent bustline to get attention from guys. My college teaches me to excel so I can gain prestige in a
male-dominated workforce. My community commands me to follow fashion trends and wear the appropriate clothing for each event I am invited to. My religion asks me to follow rules to be able to understand and gain love.
My female peers tell me to have a more flexible personality to be able to fit in. In magazines, I read requirements to change my diet and my life routine so I can fulfill certain standards of beauty. Advertisements and the media request that I buy more things that I don’t need. Because I am considered a “rebel” or an “outsider,” society puts pressure on me to agree with conventional standards.
As a society, we strive for unity and for the formation of a herd. As part of the mammalian species, part of our nature leads us to develop communities and differentiate between members. This selective process allows us to reproduce and improve each following generation. Through this process, we have identified the features that make a partner more attractive.
The human species has evolved to become more conscious and logical, putting us at the top of the food chain.
This position has brought us some interesting qualities that have been acquired over generations. As society develops, so does our selectivity and perception of perfection. This search for excellence has reached the beauty, food and recreational industries. Sadly, we impose these standards of perfection on the female gender, too.
Our cultures, families and social media subconsciously apply pressure to women and girls to meet these standards.
It is our duty to help transform society.
We are developing technology, creating ideas, expanding our horizons and reaching levels of unity we never imagined possible.
It is important for young people to remember that we do have a voice and we can use it to speak out against anything we consider unfair, outrageous or harmful to our society.
Take advantage of your surroundings and any resources that can help propel change. Become part of your community and don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you.
The only way we can stop stereotyping, bullying, labeling and degrading others is by realizing where we are and where we want to go. Express yourself completely and never be afraid to spread your joy to others. Things are changing, and they’re not going to stop.
Thus, the decision is yours: Will you be a part of the process, or will you interfere with it?
Andrea Taboada is a UF microbiology senior. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
