we're only distractions because you teach us to be

Alright. I've resisted this topic. Ran from it. Covered my ears. But it's time I put in my one-fifths of a cent (my opinion matters so little that I can't even say "my two cents" because it matters even less than that). So let's start this rant!

First on the agenda:

Sweetie, no. This is not what "teens" are. Maybe the messy room and time online isn't that insane--although not all teens spend most of their time online, and you can't use being a teenager as an excuse for a messy room. 

BUT THE "PRIVATE THINGS" ON YOUR PHONE?! Sweetie, NO! What the heck is that supposed to mean, anyway? Inappropriate photos? Inappropriate texts? Listen, I'm of the mind where if you're under your parents' roof and they're paying for your phone service, nothing on "your phone" is private--because it's not really your phone, is it? Your parents are paying for it, so anything on your phone should be known to them. My mom does sporadic checks of my phone, and obviously I'm not like those gross girls who have gross stuff on their phone, so I've got nothing to hide. But I feel like all parents should do that with their kids--if some people would just open their eyes and be a little smarter, a lot of problems and "secrets" would be resolved.

And the "crazy about one person" part. Who is this one person--Jesus? Why does this image assume that all teenage girls have crushes? Maybe some of us just chill and don't worry about boys. Maybe some of us rarely leave the house to begin with and so humans, let alone human males around our own age, aren't on our radar. Did you ever think of that?

*sucks in breath for next rant*

Okay, so, I'm on the American Eagle website, right? Looking for some swimsuits because mine is waaay too small and I'm supposed to be going to a water park this month with my cousins. And I discover that AE finally sells one-pieces. So I find a cute one (which I'd still have to wear with a full-body cover up--why do people always cut the backs out of clothes?) and I'm about to select size and everything when I read the "product description": "Happily single? Suit yourself!"

Alright. Okay. So maybe it's supposed to be a cute play on words (suit yourself, get it?) But...what does being single have to do with it? Am I supposed to be wearing a swimsuit in order to attract boys? And not to, you know, swim? I mean...? And then schools want to blast girls with dress codes, telling us that we're distracting. But...isn't that what you're teaching us to be?

"Hey, life is just boys boys boys boys boys and you have to start getting their attention at like age three and make sure you show this and reveal that and oh yeah hahaha let me teach you how to dance provocatively it's so funny and cute and it gets boys' attention because don't forget boys are the only thing that'll ever be important your life and blah blah blah--but, oh, actually tuck that away and cover your ARM and your SHOULDER because obviously that's what the boys are looking at and ew stop being inappropriate sheesh what IS it with kids today--but hey, we're only gonna sell clothes that will make you 'distract' boys and they'll also be really expensive. Okay?"

No. We shouldn't have to put up with that. I shouldn't have to even be writing this post (yeah I don't have to write it but I am so).

But it's all so frustrating! I mean look at this:

*screams* *pulls hair* *runs through house waving hands*

WHAT. EVEN. And this was found under the search "beautiful quotes for girls" on Google. Really? This is supposed to be beautiful? This is depressing and upsetting. Yeah, of course I don't think I'm beautiful. But the day I do, it's not going to be motivated by a boy. It's going to be motivated by God--and all the years He's already said I'm beautiful. I'm so angry that the world is teaching girls to only measure themselves by what boys say or think about them. 

So let me say this:

1. YOU'RE GORGEOUS AND NO ONE ON THIS PLANET, NOT EVEN YOU, IS CORRECT IN SAYING THAT YOU'RE NOT. I don't care if I've never seen your face. I don't care if I don't know your personality or your flaws or the worst thing you've ever done. None of that matters. And EVERYONE'S gorgeous; girls aren't the only ones who need to hear this. Everyone is, in their own way, and to their own person--and to God--beautiful. And I don't want to hear any arguments. *shouts random gibberish over your self-degradation*

2. You're not just a distraction, and your life isn't about impressing the opposite gender. In fact, some parts aren't even about you--your life's about Jesus, and repaying what He did to save you. You can never fully repay it, but you can thank Him every day by doing what you know He'd want you to. And I highly doubt that obsessing over boys and centering your whole life around boys is what He wants you to do. I could be wrong, but I strongly doubt it (for once).

3. Whenever anyone tries to degrade you, condescend to you, or insult you because you're a female, just be like "...um, no. I'm better than that." Because you are.

And remember:

(photo not mine; just added words and design)

So...yeah. Rant finally over.

So do you agree with what I said? What did you think of my post? What are your views on how girls how taught to act? Do you think there's anything we can do about it? Comment below!

(Sidebar: finally posted again on my review blog after five months what even)

☮