By Maddie Rubio
STAFF WRITER

Ask two girls, one being ten, the other being fifteen, what the statement “like a girl” means to them. You will most likely get opposing responses.

A teenage girl shows the insulting meaning of running “like a girl.”
Photo Credit: Always #likeagirl

Always released a new campaign for women to embrace who they are, and not be ashamed of being a girl.

The “like a girl” campaign starts off with a teenage girl being asked to show what it means to “run like a girl.” She starts kicking her legs and throwing her arms all over the place, making a fool of herself.

Next, a young girl is asked the same question. She runs as fast as possible with a look of determination on her face.

As girls get older, they are told that doing something like girl is a bad thing.

A teenage girl runs her hardest after she reconsiders what “like a girl” really means.
Photo credit: Always #likeagirl

But “like a girl” should not be thought of as an insulting statement. Many teenage girls feel shut down by the phrase. Younger girls have a completely different view on the statement “like a girl,” and it is much better than what most teenage girls think.

Teenage girls are not purposely making fun of themselves when they demonstrate how they “run like a girl.” In co-ed school, boys and girls take gym classes together. Girls are constantly being degraded by boys, being told that they will never be able to do anything just as well as they can.

In the middle of a softball game in gym class, a boy screams, “you hit like a girl.” Now the girl feels discouraged and does not feel like she should try her best.

At such a young age, girls are already feeling like they are not as good as boys. When they grow up, as women, they may think they wouldn’t be able to get the same job as men because they have heard since a young age that boys are better than girls.

A young girl shows what it means to fight “like a girl.”
Photo Credit: Always #likeagirl

Always created this campaign to “redefine what it means to run like a girl.” Always says this is meant to “change the stereotype that says girls are weaker and less determined than boys are.”

“Like a girl” is not an insult at all. “It means being strong, talented and downright amazing,” exclaims Always.

This campaign is the beginning of turning the insulting phrase “like a girl” into a statement of empowerment for women.

Now many teenage girls are realizing that when they hear “like a girl,” they shouldn’t feel put down by it, but they should use it as motivation to be the best they can be.