How about instead of complaining and blaming other people for their cultural preferences, we try and encourage teenage girls and boys to be more emotionally resilient from external factors? Life is tough and if you can’t handle the idea of someone not agreeing with your choice of musician or actors, you’re in for a bumpy ride. I think it’s healthier for everyone that way.
I agree that people need to be resilient of people having different opinions. At the same time, I think the author made a good point that media specifically targeted at teenage girls is subject to extreme mockery, unlike anything I’ve seen directed towards teenage boys.
I think we can encourage people to be resilient, and at the same time take a second to think, and then not belittle someone’s interest just because it’s enjoyed by teenage girls.
> I think we can encourage people to be resilient, and at the same time take a second to think, and then not belittle someone’s interest just because it’s enjoyed by teenage girls.
The fact that someone can be offended or emotionally affected by someone else belittling their interests already means that they are not resilient enough. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be able to call out some piece of cultural work as being garbage, whether someone likes it or not. People have always had a cultural hierarchy and it has served us well. If you choose to like some cheesy-ass artist then do it at your own risk and don’t be surprised if others avoid you and don’t invite you to their birthday party.
In this context I mean specifically teenage girls. We can allow teenage girls to enjoy something without belittling them. Adults constantly telling teenagers that what they enjoy is worthless is not ok.
It’s easy to say that they should be more resilient, but that comes with time. Being a teenager is tough to enough without adults trying to tear them down.
Furthermore, the issue is that teenage girls are specifically the targets of this harassment. And they are only being judged because they are enjoying something while being female. That sexist attitude needs to change in the media and peoples opinions.
I wouldn’t normally respond to such a snarky comment, but does it seem to you like those who write these kind of articles are willing to change something about themselves? Or put some effort into educating their children? No, it’s always someone else who’s at fault.
In principle, I agree, but I think the time for this has come to an end. The modern world doesn't create the cultural pressure to develop emotionally mature adults, and perhaps it's time that we accept this. It's a losing battle to ask people to be responsible, emotionally mature, and resilient. What would be the incentive?
I think that our societies are and will always be deeply hierarchical, and being individually reaponsible is just another dimension across which someone can end up closer to the top above others.
