Gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. This is the modern mantra for 21st century women. It is supposedly a form of radical feminism that values capitalistic ideas above all else. For example, a classic girlboss would be the CEO of a big company, beating out other men for top positions. This type of feminism focuses on self-empowerment. Girlbosses don’t let any man push them around and they live their lives independently and freely.
On TikTok lately, there has been a surge of posts surrounding a single trend. Videos under this trend are being posted exclusively by women, and in these videos, the text on the screen states a horrible thing she did, and then ends with “#womeninmalefields.” This trend is taking obvious digs at the bad boyfriends of the world who say appalling things to their girlfriends. Women are attempting to flip the narrative around on men and their misgivings for once. Unfortunately, it seems that there is no shortage of women who are eligible to participate in this trend.
TikTok user @marla_fritz posted: “He was crying in bed so I said ‘Here we go again,’ and turned around and fell asleep #womeninmalefields.”
Another user, @iamrokhayaa, wrote: “When he’s pouring his heart out in front of me and I start practicing my jumpshot mid-argument #womeninmalefields.”
Every girl has been in that position before. According to social psychology research, men value their group memberships above all else. They’ll cover for what they call their “boys”, even if it means hurting their girlfriends or female family members. It hurts to know that your feelings won’t matter to most of the men you meet because of the way they are socialized. Under the patriarchal and capitalist ideas that run this world, girls never stood a chance.
According to the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, it will take 134 years to reach gender parity, which is roughly five generations from now. However, the United Nations and other organizations warn that achieving gender equality could take centuries at the current rate of progress. Now that a known bigot will be back in office and running the country, women are more outraged than they have ever been.
Girlboss feminism had been categorized as a somewhat toxic movement. But, like it or not, these trends are more popular than ever, even sparking the 4B movement in the U.S. in which women completely swear off men. Feminists are growing more frustrated by the minute, and they are tired of men not listening. These trends are not necessarily about equality or activism. Instead, they are a representation of female rage.
Men should consider this a wake-up call. Ever since the #MeToo movement in 2018, women have been empowered, opening up about what they go through when it comes to the men in their lives. Now that women are finally speaking up, men must choose from whether or not they are ready to listen.
What would you post with the #WomeninMaleFields? Let us know on Instagram @VALLEYmag!
