When isolated, these historical facts may seem trivial or even funny, but when paired with the hundreds of other examples of gendered expectations and stereotypes changing, it becomes clear that—contrary to common belief—there is no such thing as a hobby or skillset that one gender is inherently better at. In reality, the things that are considered either masculine or feminine are viewed the way they are because of socio-political misogyny. By analyzing the current treatment of “feminine” stereotypes, the degradation of “feminine skills,” and society’s overall disdain for any hobby or skillset an individual woman has, it is clear that skills are only considered valuable based on their dissociation from women.

The Irony of Feminine Interests

In and of themselves, stereotypical feminine interests—makeup, pumpkin spice lattes, the Pride and Prejudice movie—are generally accepted by and as mainstream culture. However, once a woman actually likes any of the above, both the interest and the woman are ridiculed. This scrutiny can be seen every time a male comedian makes a career off mocking women for fitting these stereotypes, or in every eye-roll a girl receives when mentioning an interest in these subjects. Iliza Shlesinger [3] pointed out the irony of men who rampaged through India and Southeast Asia for a taste of cinnamon mocking women for their occasional Instagram post featuring a pumpkin spice latte. This irony can be found every time a man is praised for keeping up his appearance and is called “well-groomed”; meanwhile, if a woman is caught putting effort into maintaining the flawless appearance expected of her, then she is vain.

While not as ironic, another double standard appears when men revere The Godfather and the film is immediately regarded as a cinematic masterpiece, but when women praise Pride and Prejudice, it is dismissed as a stupid “chick flick.” Society expects women to have feminine interests, but once they actually do, they are shamed. There is no inherent issue with effeminate things; they only become a problem when they are embraced by women.

The Reality of Feminine Skills

On the flip side, women are both allowed and expected to have what have been deemed feminine skills. Cooking, a sense of style, teaching—but these skills are considered fundamentally less skilled and important by society. This perception changes, however, when a man shows interest in these fields. For instance, the burden of cooking falls disproportionately on women because it is considered a natural feminine skill, yet men make up 94% of Michelin-star chefs [4]. Although fashion and physical appearance are considered natural feminine interests, men hold 86% of leadership positions within major fashion companies [5]. Even though teaching is considered a feminine job, men constitute 56% of college professors [6].

These dissonant facts prove that once separated from women, these skills become redeemed in society’s eyes and become high-paying and well-respected industries. The worth of these skills is not determined by their actual complexities or their impact, but rather by who is performing them.

The Trap of Femininity vs. Masculinity

Even though women will not get recognition through feminine interests or skills, they will receive an equal amount of mockery when engaging with ​“masculine” interests and skills. If a woman likes to play video games, she will be accused of doing so for male attention. And she may even be harassed out of the gaming community [7]. A woman who plays sports will not simply be called an athlete, but rather, “too aggressive” and “unladylike” [8]. A woman who engages with high fantasy literature or comic books will be dismissed with the assumption that her interest is based on attraction to a male character. And likewise, she may be harassed out of a fandom [9].

On the other hand, men’s interests are always presumed to stem from a place of genuine passion and talent. By embracing femininity, women are subjected to mockery. By embracing masculinity, women are ostracized; either way, this is a system in which women are designed to lose. Society created femininity and then ridiculed it and the women who participate in it. But  society betrays women who do not participate in it. This begs the question of whether it is femininity that society dislikes or if it is just women.

How to Win

When passions and talent are judged not by merit but by the subject, the real reward is not working for the praise you will never receive but allowing yourself authenticity. In a system that will judge a woman whether they conform to the system or rebel against it, then the only solution is to ignore the inevitable judgment of others and make yourself who you want to be. A world that will not validate you is not a world that should be allowed to control you.

Works Cited

Janik, Erika. “The Masculine Origins of Cheerleading.” WPR, 7 Sept. 2016, www.wpr.org/history/masculine-origins-cheerleading.

Little, Becky. “When Computer Coding Was a “Woman’s” Job | HISTORY.” HISTORY, Sept. 2017, www.history.com/articles/coding-used-to-be-a-womans-job-so-it-was-paid-less-and-undervalued. 

Wikipedia Contributors. “Iliza Shlesinger.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Feb. 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliza_Shlesinger. 

Staff, Chef’s Pencil. “Share of Female-Led Michelin Restaurants Is Only 6%.” Chef’s Pencil, 20 July 2022, www.chefspencil.com/female-chefs-6-percent-reach-the-top/. 

Guest Contributor. “Women Are Finally Leading Global Brands. So Why Is Fashion Still Failing Them?” FashionUnited, 2025, fashionunited.ca/news/people/women-are-finally-leading-global-brands-so-why-is-fashion-still-failing-them/2025100742019.  

KLACZYNSKA, MIRIAM. “Gender Demographic Disparities between Teachers and Professors.” Berkeley.edu, 27 Apr. 2024, econreview.studentorg.berkeley.edu/gender-demographic-disparities-between-teachers-and-professors/. 

Fishman, Andrew. “Women in Gaming: A Difficult Intersection.” Psychology Today, 2022, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/video-game-health/202201/women-in-gaming-a-difficult-intersection 

Women’s Sports Foundation. “Do You Know the Factors Influencing Girls’ Participation in Sports? – Women’s Sports Foundation.” Women’s Sports Foundation, Women’s Sports Foundation, 2024, www.womenssportsfoundation.org/do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports/ 

Juliet Kahn. “Why Women in Comics Don’t “Just Report” Sexual Harassment.” Comics Alliance, 23 Sept. 2014, web.archive.org/web/20141210174642/comicsalliance.com/sexual-harassment-women-comics-games-fear-way-of-life/?trackback=tsmclip

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No one can discredit how far we’ve come, but segregation is no longer about separation. It looks like access and language. It looks like privilege disguised as merit. The walls have simply become more polite.

The Opportunistic Segregation

Meritocracy: the world’s favourite preach. A comforting idea that effort is the sole determinant of success. But beneath that optimism lies a quiet truth: not everyone begins from the same starting line. Opportunity is distributed unevenly, shaped by geography, wealth, and inheritance.

Children born in affluent neighborhoods with picturesque families have the world at their fingertips. They grow up with the resources to live the dreams they were allowed to dream. The ladder of success is built on a tilted stage, so many have to put in extreme effort to even get on the same standing ground that others had the privilege of being born on.

Technology mimics this, as, like most things, it is a result of our creation. Once held as the great equalizer, the digital world also possesses the same hierarchies it was made to dissolve. Algorithms are constantly learning what we do, thus adapting and mimicking them, and that also applies to our biases.

Algorithms are then reinforced by our interaction with them, allowing us to align with certain languages or faces favorably. Social media creates echo chambers that filter out opposing views; artificial intelligence misreads darker skin tones or flags marginalized speech as “harmful.” Perhaps one of humanity’s biggest juxtapositions is that what was made to unite has instead created an invisible divide.

The Barriers

Language proves to be a big barrier, not through the words themselves, but in what is said and how it is said. The way someone speaks, the accent they carry, or the dialect they choose can dictate how seriously others take them. What we deem appropriate or “professional” is a notion conceived through the previously privileged, educated, and historically dominant Western society.

Even in an age of global media, society sees certain stories as universal while labeling others “niche.” The world claims to celebrate diversity, but whose culture gets to represent modernity? Whose aesthetic dominates amongst others? Even through inclusion, minorities and women tend to remain in the background while others are the centerpiece.

Feminism and the world share a long history, much of it horrid, but ultimately successful. Women navigate workplaces that reward their competence but resist their authority. The narrative of progress sometimes forgets intersectionality: a woman’s experience is not universal but is shaped by race, class, sexuality, and geography. True equality cannot exist while society only sees certain kinds of women as symbols of empowerment. The workplace often sees women with families as less serious, preferring a cold, emotionless personality.

The Casual Divide

The streets echo stories of how you find who belongs and who doesn’t. Who defines what is a good or bad neighborhood? Gentrification often arrives cloaked as development, but for many, it is displacement disguised as progress. People walking the same streets live in different worlds.

Segregation does not limit itself to material situations. The need to belong often means silencing the parts of you that don’t fit the room you’re in. Code switching is a survival tactic, especially in professional settings. Inclusion, without true acceptance, breeds loneliness. The very existence of segregation forces people to feel that way almost instinctively.

Even empathy—the way we feel about people or situations—varies from person to person and is not based on personal choices. We learn to feel more for certain faces, certain tragedies, and certain accents on the news. The hierarchy of compassion mirrors the hierarchy of privilege. Diversity can exist in the room, but it may not be present in the conversation.

Believing the Unseen

When something isn’t there, we choose not to believe it. The consequences of this are tragic, allowing privilege to masquerade as fairness, bias to dress as taste, and exclusion to pose as order. When inequality hides behind civility, it becomes even harder to confront.

To fight something that doesn’t exist is a battle no one knows how to fight. Acknowledgment is just the first step, though. Understanding these differences allows people to at least voice their opinion without being overly judged. Segregation never left; it just evolved, so our methods of addressing and tackling it must evolve, too.

Click here to learn about mental health effects on minorities.

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History is written by the survivors, usually about powerful leaders, governments, and institutions. In the footnotes exist the youth who are the driving force behind many changes that have occurred, shaping the future through a quiet struggle. Unjaded by cynicism, still raw with a sense of justice, they ask the very questions adults have learned to ignore. In doing so, they alter history—not blatantly, nor with notable names, but with a reminder of what true peace should look like.

The Youth Paradox

“Innocence” is the euphemistic condescension often used by adults to dismiss young people as ‘trouble-makers.’ The years of youth are considered times of waiting– waiting to know more, waiting to be understood enough to become a part of the real world. Truth is, the world is happening so blatantly in front of us that waiting is now a privilege. Injustice, inequality, and crisis do not wait. The youth fight because today’s crises are the disasters of their future.

The paradox is this: the future the youth fight for is their own, yet somehow they are still disregarded as unaware of “reality,” which only fuels their power as the drivers of change. When a teenager stands in the face of power, the contrast is too significant to ignore. Their courage is a strength that reflects on society’s failings.

History Speaking

The examples throughout history speak volumes about the impact of youth and what they stand for.

● Little Rock Nine 1957– A group of African-American teenagers protested their way into an all-white school under bright camera lights and the threat of violence. They were not well-known activists, policymakers, nor military professionals; they were youngsters with a cause. They paved the way for the nation to confront the hypocrisy of segregation.

● Malala Yousafzai– The world remembers the bullet that was meant to silence the great activist on girls’ education. Her current actions credit her legacy of inspiring young women and girls to express their rights and become something special. Every defiance against the norm is a reminder that history isn’t only made in parliaments or war rooms. In the real world, age is not a regulator.

These are not accidental or one-in-a-million instances but a few famed examples of teenagers taking charge in defining the world.

Sparks Mean Fire

Teenagers live in a liminal space between dependence and independence. They are young enough to hold onto their unfiltered honesty, yet old enough to understand the weight of their actions. Adults may rationalise injustice under the pretense of “the way the world works,” while teens demand change.

The belief in change becomes the driving factor behind young people, contrasting the apathetic nature of most of the world. A teenager with a phone and access to social media can rattle millions, dismantle narratives, and advocate for justice faster than traditional systems. The attention they can bring to global crises, due to their knowledge and access to the internet, allows them to enact a bigger change, even if other generations rally for the same cause.

A Modern Wave

Teen activism is becoming increasingly common as the belief that everyone has a voice becomes more widespread. The most famous example of teen activism is Greta Thunberg and her unflinching climate strikes, which have sparked a global movement among teens to help save the planet. Another example is the March for Our Lives, started by survivors of school shootings. This movement transformed grief into relentless advocacy for gun reform in the USA.

The fight for survival that the youth participate in is one they didn’t create, yet are forced to endure. So for the fate of their future, they choose to fight now to prevent a bigger battle with deadlier consequences. Through youth activism, some of the most influential changes have occurred, such as widespread attention to women’s equality, increased representation and safety for all, and enhanced mental health.

The Legacy of the Young

There are times when the youth teaches older generations more about life than vice versa. Youths do not possess formal power, but they awaken the conscience in the people who do. They reveal courage that doesn’t come with age but with a fresh perspective. They alarm urgency now, so one day, new alarms will not be triggered.

The youth of today are often referred to as the leaders of tomorrow, so they should have a say in defining what future they inherit. Every generation of teenagers has asked the world ‘WHY?,’ and every time the world must respond, or change.

Click here for more powerful women driving change.

The post Teen Movements Alter History appeared first on GirlSpring.

They wore crowns on their (head)
But the heat made them less bright
So God put their diamonds in the sky
So Harriet (Nose) the way to go at night
Rosa (lips) spoke through action
and hear strength to endure
Muhammad Ali was (chin) checked
But his chin held high cause his fight was secure
Henry Brown mailed himself
He layed (neck) to crate
Walker made products for (hair)
used to make maps to escape
Martin Marched head up (chest) out
Even why they were (armed) with guns
He raised up his (hands)
As if God himself was in his (palms)
They beat Emmett til
When you see him your (stomach) turns
4 little lives that lit up the sky
(Waisted) by a blinding smoke storm
(Back) to school Ruby went
Her melanin made them call her rude things
But that made her shine brighter
Now we wear rubies in their diamond rings
The strength of justice ran through
the (thighs) of the oppressed
They were beaten Til there (knees)
and the ground connect
Because of Maya
I know why the caged bird sings
Now we fly high through generations
Because of her (leg)acy
They wanted us to be free
But they still had our (ankles) in shackles
They knew to de(feet) the enemy
They couldn’t be (toed)to battle
We could do this and more
but this generation to lazy
We rather let the guns, drugs and money drive us crazy
We should want to have the tough skin they had and copy
They ARE AND forever will be the definition of a body.

The post They Wore Crowns, Be Empowered Poetry Contest appeared first on GirlSpring.

2025

That’s a year that I used to be excited for.

Now after the election,

I’m scared out of my mind.

Not just for myself,

But for the people that I’m friends with.

Black people,

Women,

Immigrants,

Gay people,

Trans people,

Poor people,

Heck, even men!

Literally everyone except the people in power,

Because this doesn’t affect them.

why?

2026

That’s the year that my brother graduates,

Then, I’ll have one less shoulder to lean on.

One less person to fight and argue with.

One less person to laugh and spend time with.

One less person that cares.

I’ll lose another person close to me.

Then there’s an empty bedroom.

Then, there’s only two kids left.

Then, another rift is created.

Then, I’ll be 16.

I’ll miss him,

But will he miss me?

2027

That’s the year that my step-brother graduates.

Then, I’ll have one less shoulder to lean on.

Just myself.

One less person to fight and argue with.

Just myself.

One less person to laugh and spend time with.

Just myself.

One less person that cares.

Just myself.

I’ll lose another person close to me.

Then there’s another empty bedroom.

Then, there’s only one kid left.

Then, another rift is created.

Then, I’ll be 17.

I’ll miss him, even though we fought,

Will he miss me?

2028

That’s the year that I graduate.

Me, the final child.

Then, there’s just my parents.

One less person to fight and argue with.

One less person to laugh and spend time with.

One less person that cares.

They’ll lose another person close to them.

Then, there’s another empty bedroom.

Then, there’s no kids left.

Then, a rift is healed.

Then, I’ll be 18,

An adult.

I’ll miss them.

I’ll miss my childhood,

Regretting wanting to grow up faster.

But I KNOW that they will miss me.

2029

That’s the year I’ll be a freshman in college.

Another election has passed.

Hopefully, it went better than the last one.

I see my family over breaks and for holidays.

There’s a new air when we meet,

A nostalgic feeling.

We have grown up,

We are still the same people,

Just more mature.

We laugh about the past.

Complain about college.

We are together again,

And long for the time to spend together again.

We will see each other again.

If you liked The Years Ahead, check out more original poems here.

The post The Years Ahead appeared first on GirlSpring.

Who is Fred Shuttlesworth?

Fred Shuttleworth’s fearless sacrifices to end segregation in Alabama make him an exceptionally competent individual that should not be forgotten. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia mentions, “[He became the] membership secretary for the Alabama branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP),” beginning his career in civil rights after being inspired by the infamous Brown vs. Board decision (Schafer). Shuttlesworth quickly made his way up the ranks, and consequently became an influential figure in the civil rights scene of Alabama. His determination to make a difference allowed him to navigate through the difficulties that attempted to bar his progress.

Fred Shuttlesworth’s Legacy:

He delved even further, founding his organization which became the most integral to civil rights in Birmingham. As proven by a bibliography about Fred Shuttlesworth published in Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, “After a circuit judge limited NAACP work in Alabama, Shuttlesworth created the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights…in 1956, serving as president through 1969” (Schafer). Although his work in such organizations should not go without credit, his fight for freedom did not stop there. He endured physical violence multiple times that threatened, and almost ended his life, which stood as a testament to his heroic courage.

Author of Fred Shuttleworth’s bibliography E. D. Schafer specifies he survived a bombing by the KKK of his house, a second bombing at his church, an attack at the segregated Philips High School after trying to enroll his daughters, and arrest for his outspokenness of integration. Influential figures such as Georgia Rep. John Lewis affirmed, “He was the soul and heart of the Birmingham movement. It was Birmingham…that brought the Civil Rights Act of 1964” (qtd. in Elliot). Shuttlesworth pushed ahead, undaunted by the efforts to stop him from altering the fate of Alabama forever.

Fred Shuttlesworth’s Dedication to Alabama:

Shuttlesworth’s dedication to improving Alabama throughout his life makes him a perfect representative of this state. Shuttlesworth’s efforts in the past continue to affect us even today. Author Manis Andrew of Fred Lee Shuttlesworth’s biography states, “Working with Birmingham’s first black mayor, Richard Arrington, Shuttlesworth helped bring to fruition the establishment of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Museum.” His success in unionizing Black Americans angered white supremacists who attempted to undermine him, but failed. A long-time rivalry formed between Bull Conner, “who used both the police and fire departments to try to scare local African Americans away from the ACMHR’s well-attended weekly meetings,” and Fred Shuttleworth asserted by the Encyclopedia of Alabama (Manis, “Shuttlesworth”).

Even as the civil rights movement approached its end in the 1960s, Shuttlesworth stayed committed to sustaining it and his organization. The Encyclopedia of Alabama claimed he traveled every two weeks from Cincinnati to Birmingham after accepting a pastorate at a Baptist Church in Ohio (Manis, “Alabama”). Even after moving to a different state, Shuttlesworth never forgot his connection and hard work in Alabama. 

The Personal Life of Fred Shuttlesworth:

In the case of Fred’s personal life, he was an exemplary person even before his involvement in the civil rights movement. Author E. D. Schafer expresses, “Working part time to supplement his family’s income, Shuttlesworth excelled scholastically at Rosedale High School, graduating as valedictorian in May 1940.” Shuttlesworth’s call to fame never occurred in the same way as it did for other prominent leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. His name has experienced praise, but the face behind that name remains a mystery for the masses.

Middle Georgia State University confirms that “Shuttlesworth was not as well-known as some other Civil Right[s] leaders because he chose to stay local and focus on Birmingham” (Etchison). There has been a push to bring Shuttleworth’s illustrious career to the forefront in the form of media, such as movies. Dr. Andrew Manis has tried translating his biography of Fred Shuttlesworth into a screenplay, but struggled with what to include as “[t] he life of Shuttlesworth held an abundance of rich historical content,” noted by a graduate of Middle Georgia State University Kelsei Etchison.

Fred Shuttlesworth’s sacrifices and dedication to bettering Alabama for future generations deserves acknowledgment. His work in civil rights affected him in all facets of his life, and it now progresses the conversation of racial equality forward for us today.

Works Cited:

Elliot, Debbie, et al. “Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, Civil Rights Pioneer, Dies.” NPR, 5 October 2011, https://www.npr.org.

Etchison, Kelsei. “MGA Professor Turns His Biography of Civil Rights Icon Into Screenplay.” Middle Georgia State University, 25 September 2017, https://www.mga.edu.

Manis, Andrew. “Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights (ACMHR).” Encyclopedia of Alabama, 3 June 2010, https://encyclopediaofalabama.org.

Manis, Andrew. “Shuttlesworth, Fred Lee.” Encyclopedia of Alabama, 9 March 2007, https://encyclopediaofalabama.org.

Schafer, E. D. Fred Shuttlesworth. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, [s. l.], 2021. Disponível em: https://discovery.ebsco.com.

Want to learn more about Fred Shuttlesworth? Click here!

The post A Dream for Alabama’s Future That Came True appeared first on GirlSpring.

Jaahnavi Kandula was a bright grad student from India; she came to the States to earn a degree and support her single mother who remained in India. Despite making less than $200 a month, her mother pushed Jaahnavi to pursue higher education in the U.S. so that she could live a better life abroad. 

Jaahnavi was fatally struck in a Seattle crosswalk by a city police car responding to a call. This occurred in January, 8 months after the body-worn police camera footage was released and captured a phone call between two Seattle officers; “But she is dead,” says Officer Auderer before laughing in response to the person on the phone. “No, it’s a regular person,” Auderer continues, “Yeah, just write a check. Yeah, $11,000. She was 26 anyway,” he adds, mistaking Kandula’s age. “She had limited value.” 

These insensible comments about a beloved woman who was a daughter and beyond any dollar value are outrageous. It doesn’t stop at these comments, it goes deeper into this idea of whose life has value and whose doesn’t. For decades, women, especially women of color and immigrants have been perceived as being of less value. I am tired of not being taken seriously. I am tired of this hierarchical system that places white straight men above everybody. I am especially tired of our society’s concern with value. This is about treating every single person with respect and creating a system that fosters unconditional respect and dignity for all.

The post Justice for Jaahnavi Kandula appeared first on GirlSpring.

• Little Amal represents the millions of children and families who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and other crises. She embodies the resilience and courage of refugees, reminding us that behind every statistic is a human story.
• Hope and Resilience: Little Amal’s journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of refugees. She embarks on a journey filled with challenges, but her determination to reach safety and find her family reflects the hope and resilience that many refugees hold onto in the face of adversity.
• Unity and Compassion: Little Amal’s story transcends borders and speaks to the universal values of compassion and unity. As she travels through different countries, she encounters people from diverse backgrounds who come together to help her on her journey. This reflects the idea that we are all connected, regardless of our differences, and that we have a collective responsibility to support those in need.  

Why is Little Amal important?

• Raising Awareness: Little Amal’s journey serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness about the refugee crisis. Through her story, people are reminded of the human faces behind the headlines and statistics, fostering empathy and understanding.
• Fostering Empathy: The Walk project and Little Amal’s character invite people to step into the shoes of refugees, even if just for a moment. This empathetic connection can lead to greater compassion and a willingness to take action to support refugees and migrants.
• Promoting Dialogue: Little Amal’s journey sparks conversations about the refugee crisis, immigration policies, and the need for international cooperation. It encourages individuals and communities to engage in meaningful dialogues about these complex issues.
• Inspiring Action: Little Amal’s journey isn’t just a passive experience; it encourages people to take action. Whether it’s supporting refugee organizations, advocating for policy changes, or volunteering, her story inspires individuals to make a positive difference in the lives of refugees.

Representation for those in need

Little Amal is more than a puppet, she is a symbol of hope, unity, and compassion in a world divided and indifferent to the suffering of others. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that we can all play a part in creating a more inclusive and empathetic world.

By embracing the values she represents, while taking action to support refugees and migrants, we as a collective people can make a difference. We must ensure that the world becomes a more welcoming place for those seeking safety and a better future. 

Here are the following dates for where Little Amal will be walking across America:

• Sept 20 – Pittsburgh, PA  
• Sept 22 – Cincinnati, OH 
• Sept 24 – Oakland, MI  
• Sept 26 – Detroit MI 
• Sept 28 – Chicago, IL    

The post Little Amal: A Puppet with a Global Message appeared first on GirlSpring.

Who is Little Amal?

Little Amal is not your ordinary character – she is a giant puppet; a 3.5-meter-tall young Syrian refugee girl, brought to life by the acclaimed Handspring Puppet Company. This artistic creation is part of a project called “The Walk,” a remarkable and ambitious theatrical journey that was conceived to highlight the plight of refugees and migrants. Little Amal’s story is fictional, but her presence carries a profound message of empathy and solidarity. 

The post The Story of Little Amal appeared first on GirlSpring.

Before the Vote & Political Sheroes

Before the Vote is a ten-episode podcast video series on YouTube that covers the many ways teens can exert influence over government and politics even before they have the right to vote. On the series, I have been able to interview some pretty cool women that work in the Alabama legislative and judicial systems on how and why they got into their positions, as well as how teen voice can help them in their jobs. On other episodes, I’ve chatted with fellow teens on tangible ways we can share our voices outside of voting. 

If you’d like to check out the series (which I highly recommend you do), you can find it here. Also, if you watch a video, please consider taking the survey linked in the description box of each video. This lets me know what you think of the series! The survey is completely anonymous and takes a maximum of two minutes to fill out.

Now that I’ve given a brief overview of what Before the Vote is, I wanted to share with you some of the major highlights of the interviews and conversations that made up the series to hopefully empower you to use your voice to influence politics in today’s world.

1. We all have a part to play in our government

Oftentimes teens assume that because they don’t yet have the right to vote, they don’t have a part to play in government affairs. This is a far cry from the truth, because our country’s government is designed with the goal of representing all citizens, not just those over 18.

While there are certainly downfalls in that system today, there are still means for teens to get their voices out to ensure they are well-represented, and it’s our responsibility to utilize those resources. This is especially important for female teens, who are vastly underrepresented in today’s government.

2. Know those who represent you

The job of representatives and senators is to represent their constituents, and you are one of them! After talking with two state representatives and a state senator on the podcast, it was made clear to me that they value any and all input from the people they represent, especially young teens.

Teens have a unique perspective and an acute awareness of issues that older generations simply don’t know as much about, therefore, it’s our civic duty to ensure that we share those issues and perspectives with those that represent us. Find the contact information of your State Representative and Senator, as well as your Congressional Representative and Senators. And let them know what you’re thinking! This is definitely a means of sharing my voice that I hope to engage in more going forward.

3. Stay informed

In order to be aware of issues affecting us and our communities, we have to be tuned in to the news. I like to get my news from podcasts, but you can also educate yourself on current affairs by reading online news articles, print news sources, or even on social media, however, a major problem we face today as consumers of the media is the massive amount of misinformation and bias flying around.

It’s a good idea to fact-check information you consume and keep an eye out for potential biases in reporting. Sometimes it’s best to read about the same event from multiple sources to try and weed out the true facts of the case.

4. Use social media to your benefit

As I’m sure you already know, we have a powerful, powerful tool at our fingertips. In addition to using it to get quick updates on current events, social media can also be used to spread the word about a cause you have a passion for.

You can share educational posts that other users make, you can join an online community centered around a specific cause, or you can even create your own page dedicated to an issue you care about. Just make sure that the information you’re sharing is factual, and be sure that you’re understanding and respecting others’ differences in opinion.

5. Get plugged into local politics

Many people overlook the presence of local politics in our daily lives, but if you’re looking for a way to make a direct impact on your community, then getting involved in your local government is a great place to do so.

See if you can form a teen coalition at city council meetings, or get in touch with your mayor’s office to see if there are any opportunities for you to get involved. Even carrying out local community service projects can help further a cause you care about.

6. Explore youth in government programs

Youth in government programs are a fantastic way to get direct experience with the actual processes behind passing legislation, deciding a legal case, and creating policy. The YMCA has Youth in Government programs, including the Youth Judicial and Youth Legislature conferences, in just about every state in the US. There are also Girls State and Boys State programs across the nation.

Furthermore, most schools have a student council of some sort where students can take on a decision-making role within their school governments, which is crucial, because students are the ones mostly impacted by administrators’ decisions.

7. Learn how to have civil conversations

This is a tough skill to take on in today’s politically-polarized society; I struggle with it myself, but it’s crucial if we hope to have a future generation of problem solvers that are united by shared nationality and not divided by different parties.

When faced with a difference in opinion, we must choose to see the person behind the opinion and not just the party. We can’t villainize the other side and get defensive over our own opinion. Instead, we must try our best to listen to the reasoning behind the other person’s beliefs and use the disagreement as an opportunity to educate the other person on our beliefs. If all else fails, and no one is able to pull the other person to their side, then simply agree to disagree. Don’t let political arguments disrupt relationships—it’s just not worth it.

Reflect on everything

This was a lot of information, but don’t be overwhelmed! Those are just a few of the major themes that ran throughout the conversations I had while making the Before the Vote series.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out an episode or two, but even more than that, realize how important your voice is toward the effectiveness of our government!

If you wish to stay updated on politics and the daily news in the area, click the link here and check out podcasts that cover politics!

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