Why the Girly Girl Trope is Misunderstood | Video Essay

Whether it's Mean Girls' Regina George, Legally Blonde's Elle Woods, or Clueless' Cher Horowitz, the "girly girl" trope is a staple of TV and movies. She may be associated with stupidity, vanity, and cattiness, but might the girly girl actually be misunderstood? (hint: yes)
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[@evildoesnotsleep-x2b]

i am finally a girly girl (after many years of trying to shed my pink image), and it's my superpower

[@MaiaCVideos]

yes! embrace being a girly girl :)

[@stupidass69420]

As a non girly person who really likes making girly vintage character designs for some reason that’s my superpower :P

[@jeffjones9702]

I call mine my pink power Lol

[@PrincessMavenKittyDarkholme]

@@MaiaCVideos embrace fatness too

[@princess-xr8cm]

I've been a girly girl ever since I was born and I'm now 18!I'm studying A level biology, chemistry and physics and I'm studying chemistry at university and I've had to encounter so many people who believed these girly girl stereotypes... thank you for this video and addressing the negative stereotypes associated with it!💕 I feel like Elle woods was one of the first leads that was a girly girl and embraced it. She was literally my hero growing up. I related to her so much because I am so girly but still really enjoy school. I was that girl who played with barbie dolls, was part of a performing arts company and still does ballet to this day so not very stereotypical for someone in the STEM field! I'm starting to ramble now because I feel so passionate about this subject (I'm sorry) but thank you again for this video!!!❤❤

[@MaiaCVideos]

I'm so glad the video resonated with you!! and congrats on going into STEM regardless of all the stereotypes about the girly girl :)

[@lilithrealm]

I’m not jk, girly girls are smarter than how is portrayed in movies. I have seen them being straight A in any courses, always organized and kind.

[@dailydoseofdumb6376]

i found that the not like other girls trope, and the girly girl trope, seem to go hand in hand. the main character is always cool because she not the stereotypical girly girl. they originally did this to make girls who aren’t so girl know that that’s okay. but it went WAY too far with that. because girly girls now feel that they’re not good enough. and not cool enough. which makes no sense at all, for obvious reasons. also, I just found your channel and i love your videos. I’m honestly surprised you aren’t famous yet!

[@MaiaCVideos]

definitely! they're in many ways two sides of the same coin. and thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@oooh19]

so then girly = geeky?

[@tocachicken8434]

@@oooh19 when on earth did they say that?

[@ham-sley1308]

Yesss exactly!!!

[@KYLE1654-v7m]

I always hated how in most media girly girls are portrayed as bitchy and vain. That's not true! It's soo cruel towards actually girly girls. Pink doesn't make a person mean. I always hated that!

[@oooh19]

yea it's definitely like girly is seen as high maintenance but honestly not so all the time. it doesnt take me long to braid my long hair. i honestly have healthy natural hair. I don't dye or fry it. I don't wear extensions this is my real hair. I like makeup but i dont spend an hour applying it. i swipe some eyeshadow on my eyes i dont need mascara as i have long dark lashes. makeup and hair is an art form.

[@tocachicken8434]

And this is why I love legally blonde

[@MaiaCVideos]

ahh yes legally blonde is the best!

[@tocachicken8434]

@@MaiaCVideos I’ve been obsessed since I was 9

[@tabledrawzz801]

@@tocachicken8434 OMG ME TOO

[@rena-eb4hm]

When i was younger, i changed my favorite color to blue and started becoming the tomboy type to fit in. I completely hated and rejected pink, in fear of becoming a dumb blonde. But as i grow older, and out of my delusion- i feel like embracing my love for shopping, traveling and fashion is a good thing. Even if I’m blonde, i still know who i am, and no one else should tell me otherwise. I love the color pink!

[@caitlingill]

I hate how so many people think girly and edgy/rocker can't go hand in hand, like I have traits of both LOL, I like fashion and makeup and sometimes wearing pink but I also like rocker clothes and playing electric guitar LOL

[@wendynjoki4820]

Same😂

[@helenyanes4350]

having very feminine girl characters, or very masculine girl characters, or having girl characters that are a little bit of both is fine. But ive seen that in many movies, shows, books, etc, whenever they have a girly girl character and a "not like other girls"/tomboy character, they always "bring up" the tomboy character (like they give her the most screentime, she gets a character arc, she is shown as the heroine, she is shown to be smart, strong, brave, etc.) and then "bring down" the girly girl character (she is shown to be dumb, weak, rude, a bitch, probably doesnt have a character arc, and probably has less screentime). Its almost as if you have to be like a man to be a good character.... and its like... no? What makes a good character is their personality and their development. throughout the movie/show/book etc. Not by how masculine or feminine a character is.

[@MaiaCVideos]

yess totally!!

[@ham-sley1308]

Frrrr

[@PrincessMavenKittyDarkholme]

It's how they feel

[@bellafrr]

as a girly girl, i get really offended when people misunderstand me because of this trope :')

[@MaiaCVideos]

glad this resonated with you :)

[@nadah._.2807]

I used to deny my inner girly girl and even hate on others thinking it was a bad thing but know its me and I love it

[@MaiaCVideos]

I used to be a similar way-hooray for embracing being a girly girl!

[@nadah._.2807]

@@MaiaCVideos horray!🥳

[@milenacosta8299]

I'm pretty late to this video but I just want to say that I loved your analysis! Legally Blonde is really such a standout regarding subversions of the girly girl trope. I wish there were more characters like Elle in modern media.

[@MaiaCVideos]

thanks so much! I totally agree, Legally Blonde was great

[@spacebar9733]

House Bunny is amazing, she wasn't as smart. But she's funny and so cute!!

[@bonniestar7583]

I am girly and ditsy. but ditsy doesn't mean that you are dumb it took me to long to learn this

[@ahhwe-any7434]

I hate it when ppl try to act like I'm dumb. I think its bc I look harmless... like look bitches, ppl do use full sentences, u know?!... articulate much, dumbass? How bout that

[@roy.shrestha]

SAME

[@lexianndearden3422]

I don't mind being a ditz it allows me to ask for help from cute men more lol...

[@sophiae7867]

Yess this video points out so many important things. I also think it’s interesting how society has adopted the word “tomboy” to describe more traditionally ‘masculine’ women, as if they’re a different type of woman. It’s sort of invalidating in many ways, but I see it as ultimately rooted in trying to rise past societies standards of weak or ‘feminine’.

[@MaiaCVideos]

that's a really great point!! There's definitely a lot of inherent problems with the "tomboy" label. Glad you enjoyed :)

[@chani2966]

This harmful stereotype of the girly girl actually affected me in middle and high school, I was bullied for being the very girly girl who loved Disney princesses and barbie I started to distance myself from the things I loved as to not be bullied

[@serenatsukino5252]

When I was younger I also tried to distance myself from femininity. I hated pink and hated Barbie, but that's really because femininity was just looked down upon.

[@lexianndearden3422]

My favorite parts of being girly and feminine are keeping long acrylic nails/toenails and wearing skirts, sandals, and full face of makeup!!! I love it!!!

[@ham-sley1308]

Star Butterfly is great cuz she's legit girly but also is funny, goofy, and strong (physically and mentally). She's a good character for girls. She shows u can be girly and have a great personality at the same time

[@MaiaCVideos]

oooh yes that's a perfect example! super great character design to have a character be both girly AND be strong

[@ham-sley1308]

@@MaiaCVideos yepp

[@alyssapinon9670]

I feel the same about Marinette from Miraculous!

[@elliebarnhart2043]

as an honour roll bimbo, I support this message so much !!

[@MaiaCVideos]

thank you!! now I have my official honour roll bimbo stamp of approval!!

[@QueenSpark22]

I love being a girly girl! I love pink and purple, unicorns, fairies, dresses, bows, fashion, and ponies!! And also GLITTER!!!!😍😍😍💞💞💗💞💓💜💓💓✨✨💞💗💜🦄🎀🎀💝

[@princesspeachfan100]

I really miss sweet and innocent shy and cute girly characters and wish we could have them more often and shows and movies again like it used to be! I’m getting really tired of the mean girls and strong female characters that look and act manly everywhere (All thanks to Wreck It Ralph’s Calhoun) and the fact they are doing this to original sweet and innocent girly characters like Bo Peep, Dot Warner and now Princess Peach for the new Mario movie, who was originally the original definition of girlyness and cuteness… (She also is originally from Japan who is literally mostly known for this sweet shy cute traits for female characters, (I heard they are pretty upset about that huge change for her character), she’s too much like Daisy in every way for it, it’s such a shame they erased that entire point of her character just to make her a strong female and we can’t have those types of sweet shy girly characters that Japan has here in the West, sure, we have Minnie Mouse and Snow White, but that isn’t enough… Or what about live action movies, like Frenchy from Grease, Jan, or etc. what happened to that? Like we need more Frenchys again and less Rizzo’s… We need more Ann Darrows from the original King Kong instead of literally changing her and Princess Peach to ungirly and not getting kidnapped, we need more cute shy characters like in Japan, and etc. But we really need these characters again…

[@doppelmoppel]

Amazing video, as usual Maia

[@MaiaCVideos]

thank you! and you're totally right!

[@maryorosco1027]

“I don’t even own a brush “ says the girl with long hair that hasn’t become a rats nest

[@Blackbeltginganinja]

Really liked this video. Great points, and a great perspective.

[@MaiaCVideos]

thanks so much!!

[@salva.fiona.a]

i recently discovered your videos and i love them, maia! keep up the good work ;)

[@MaiaCVideos]

thank you!! it means a lot :)

[@ilincabogza]

Love your video! I really hope you'll continue making these videos, there is nothing better then videos dissecting tropes. I hope you'll gain more subscribers, but either way i'll continue watching❤

[@MaiaCVideos]

thank you so much!! there are more videos about tropes coming soon :)

[@ekkehard8]

I came here after searching for girly girls. I wanted to know what's up with "not being like other girls" yet these "other girls" are difficult to find out of apparent rarity. I really dislike the discouragement of hyperfemininity, because I absolutely adore girls who are cute in this way. I try to be my best, most virtuous and competent self, and always think about how I could dedicate myself and be attentive to make someone like that happy, but it's disheartening to not even know anyone who embraces femininity. At least not anymore: I knew a younger friend like this. It's not that she died, she just changed. Thus, even the person I considered the most feminine showed she can be influenced away from it. It may just be a mood, but I want to cry. Other than weakness of moral character, why is weakness considered repulsive at all? Do other people not see its powerful charm? I ask these questions because I hear that there needs to be an effort to show feminine characters who are strong, whereas I feel it's totally valid to be weak and the precious light of your social network upon which you rely on. Media teaches that this is ugly. I just want to find someone like this who I can make happy and pour my love on forever. I thought my lifegoal was simple... yet I just had another birthday and I won't have my looks forever. If all fails, I won't marry, but I can still be a single father and focus my love that way I suppose. Sounds better than becoming permanently bitter. I'm still only a college sophomore, for context.

[@kristypersaud8907]

Legally Blond . Is my favorite movie ever great songs make smile laugh Elle Woods. Is my favorite character I have watch this legally blond. Movie already.

[@captainprice8398]

Wow! im in love with your voice and the way you explained it, Your perspective is really fresh. Im impressed!

[@MaiaCVideos]

thanks so much, it means a lot!

[@cerys1111]

just subscribe omg i can’t believe you don’t have thousands of subs already!! great videos!

[@MaiaCVideos]

wow thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@ashleyching5786]

Defying femininity should be just as empowering as embracing femininity.

[@αιη-τ5φ]

True definitely just when I was a kid I just hate girly girls because always it was them who bully people and they always had the same thing in common. Skinny, pink and feminine . Majority of them are pretty and Dress up and they always bully people because they think they're better. I still don't like girly girls due to bullying and trauma though I do hope one day I can find a girly girl who is nice to be friends with. Right now I can't they've done a lot to my life and affect me

[@nehamarymathew4361]

Girly Girls r not stereotypes, they r real😘 Super beautiful video.

[@EmmaAus]

I've just found your channel & watched a fair few videos now... Nice work, they're well done hun :-) What I kinda wish got touched on in this one, was the consumerism element... But I still think you did well portraying your point :-) Thanks for sharing

[@MaiaCVideos]

yeah, I agree, in retrospect I could've touched on that more! I'm glad you enjoyed, though :)

[@JonathanEBoyd]

Interesting video yet again I never really thought about all the angles for this topic before very nicely laid out . congrats on over 600 subs well deserved

[@MaiaCVideos]

thanks so much!!

[@JonathanEBoyd]

@@MaiaCVideos you're welcome

[@butterflysquaregarden]

Great voice! 🙂

[@jmalko9152]

Great perspective!

[@HeiressEllie]

This also applies pretty well to trans women

[@clownduckkky9508]

I love girly girls but trust me this isn’t sexism this girly girl negative stereo type is made by other women for example mean girls was made by a women

[@kristypersaud4914]

My favorite movie is clueless acila silver stone and Paul Rudd very great job July 19, 1995,

[@Kawaiiprincessbriana]

Tbh i dont think bubbles is a girly girl she is more neutral girly girls don't like blue and act as calm as bubbles also they don't play sports and bubbles was playing sports in just another manic mojo, dream scheme, oops I did it again, Schoolhouse rocked, etc In the video thumbnail I mean-

[@MaiaCVideos]

Yeah that's fair! I think she's just often seen as a girly girl by a lot of people because of her look (and Powerpuff Girls is sometimes seen as girly in of itself for obvious reasons) Love your profile picture btw, hahah

[@Kawaiiprincessbriana]

@@MaiaCVideos Yeah that's true! :D and thank you! :3

[@Kawaiiprincessbriana]

@@MaiaCVideos There was an episode powerpuff girls when they broke stereotypes the girl with the blonde hair, blue eyes, mask

[@jakeystarsuper]

Girly girls can do whatever they want. Liking blue and sports doesn’t mean you’re not girly!

[@jakeystarsuper]

@@MaiaCVideos that’s not true bubble is still very girlish regardless. Sports and blue doesn’t make her less then that.

[@princesssarah5130]

FABULOUS! IMA GIRLYGIRL AND I AGREE

[@bigbriangaara7461]

You forgot numbuh 3

[@drereviews8868]

Always get a new perspective when I watch your videos. Great analysis also check out my three new videos!

[@MaiaCVideos]

thanks so much! I'll check them out!

[@PrincessMavenKittyDarkholme]

They arent wrong

[@RealOliverSwanick]

Owo

[@MaiaCVideos]

thank you for your insight

[@bepsi_nosimp]

ARGHHHH OWO WHYYY ARGHGHHH

[@kristypersaud8907]

My favorite movie is clueless july 19. 1995. Acila silver stone and Paul Rudd really great movie performances 90s. rom coms. Awesome fashion soundtrack. I have watch this already watch this movie clueless.

[@oftinuvielskin9020]

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