"Grow a set of balls" "Man Up" "Don't be a girl" ...the list goes on!
Growing up, the use of gendered language defines who we become and how we think.
Telling someone to grow a set of balls, eludes to the fact that male genitalia symbolises strength and therefore female genitalia is weakness. Telling someone to not be a girl reinforces this point. Man up when telling someone to be stronger further reinforces this point
But the one that really got me, everytime was growing a set of balls... I mean come on, male testicles are possibly the most sensitive organs there is - they dangle outside the body, therefore often get hit during contact sport, and when hit, debilitate a person. Also they hang outside the body because they can't hack the body's natural temperature...!
So why don't we re-learn growing a set of balls? I saw this top and I couldn't help but purchase it, firstly because it supports women in art but secondly because it challenges all of these stereotypes.
Women's "balls" or ovaries are incredible, they are little powerhouses, creating millions (20-30 million) eggs whilst you are still in the WOMB! They then pump out an egg monthly, alongside all the hormones you need for ovulation and menstruation! The ovaries are certainly tough and resilient ... Surely that's what anyone would want to be... Right?
And don't even get me started on how badass the uterus is...
So next time you go to use a gendered insult, think of the implications of that gendering! Think about how it might make someone feel, or the implicit bias that it generates.
We want a future generation that doesn't regard boys are macho and strong and girls as timid and weak, because we know that has damaging consequences for both men and women as they experience life.
Change you insults, for the greater good!
