What does it mean to do something ‘like a girl’? Long-believed perceptions of throwing, running and fighting ‘like a girl,’ were challenged in Always’ “Rewrite the Rules” campaign commercial, during the Super Bowl. For too many girls, being ‘like a girl’ indicates doing them in a weak physical manner. With belief in this concept, a stereotype threat (Steele, 1997; Steele & Aronson, 1995) can put girls at a risk for following the stereotyped expectations of their group, rather than working to their full potential.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs?rel=0&controls=0]
Building a positive image of oneself is important, but it takes time and practice (Mountain State Centers for Independent Learning, n.d.). Messages that are heard toward groups that a person identifies themselves to be a part of, can influence behavior and success. Essentially, when someone believes that they or someone else will fail or succeed, it can influence failure or success (Schneider, 2012).
Can the principles of ‘Rewriting the Rules’ transcend into other cultural stereotypes? By rewriting the scripts, so that groups of people are given successful messages, perhaps more successful outcomes can result. With this in mind, educators, along with positive advertising campaigns, such as ‘Rewriting the Rules’ can impact positive societal change.
In essence, positive and encouraging messages about ourselves and about others can be significant factors in overcoming negative stereotypes. Self-esteem isn’t self-absorption; it’s self-respect (Mountain State Centers for Independent Learning, n.d.). If we believe that we are capable, we can become more capable. If we believe that we will fail, we possibly will.
Quotes to Ponder:
References
Mountain State Centers for Independent Learning. (n.d.). Improving your Self Image. Retrieved from Positive Self Image and Self Esteem: www. mtstcil.org/skills/image-3.html
Schneider, F. W. (2012). Applied Social Psychology Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems. In F. W. Schneider, Applied Social Psychology Understanding and Addressing Social and Practical Problems Second Edition (pp. 3-16). Thousand Oaks: Sage.