By ZOE PETERSON – Staff Writer
The phrase “You play like a girl!” has been thrown around for many years, but is it really an insult?
“You play like a girl!”
Over the course of many years, the phrase “you play like a girl” has become a derogatory term. The question is, why?
Why has “playing like a girl” become a typical insult from one guy to another? In a schoolyard setting, it’s almost easy to come across a girl being judged on her abilities for the simple fact that she is a girl.
This sad reality continues to occur every day; a reality in which fully capable girls are not viewed as equal because of their gender.
I have received many judgemental glances when seen playing a sport that is typically associated with males, or even just picking up a basketball during gym class.
Since being an eight-years-old girl and deciding to play football with the guys rather than jump rope, it has always been hard to focus on what I want to do rather than what stereotypes tell me I should do.
The “Oh, is she serious?” looks and superior smirks from guys can be deterring, but after many years I have learned to ignore the labels and do what I love.
Last year I had the opportunity to play on a co-ed soccer team. Our team was split half-and-half between girls and guys. For one game, our opponents were bigger, faster, stronger and most importantly, all guys. But so what?
I didn’t care that they were better and more experienced soccer players. In fact, it just made me play harder. During that game, I played my best, and it showed.
The smug looks we got as we first stepped out onto the field had completely melted away by the time the final whistle blew. Our opponents then showed real respect and it was clear that they realized how hard girls can really play.
So, this brings us back to the original question: why has “playing like a girl” become such a large insult? The answer is, it’s not.
Playing like a girl is simply playing a sport and being female. It’s no different from playing like a man. A girl can run, kick and throw just as well as anyone else if she wants to, and in no way does her gender lessen her abilities.
So, the next time someone says “You play like a girl,” to someone else, they should turn right back around and answer with a big “Thank you!”
