It’s Time To Ditch The Dating Stereotypes
design: Katie Huang
Why is a guy praised and a girl shamed?
by MARGARET MATTHEWS ★ SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
Although I am a fan of the iconic Pete Davidson, he has undeniably dated a lot of women- who are totally out of his league by the way- in the public eye. To list off a few… Ariana Grande, Kim Kardashian, Kaia Gerber, and Emily Ratajowski! That could be a whole other article, but you get the point.
No one should be shamed for their love life, even the celebrities who live rent-free on our phones. But it is interesting to see who does and doesn’t date. If you are anything like me, you're a Swiftie, and seeing Taylor get hate for dating a lot of guys- who we all would date- I mean, hello? Harry Styles and Taylor Lautner! When guys like Pete get zero backlash… you're going to get angry.
But seriously, these misguided dating stereotypes harm pretty much everyone involved and stop us from building the fun-loving relationships we all want. Here are some stereotypes that you may need to break up with right now:
The Psycho Girlfriend: I have heard wayyyy too many stories about girls being “crazy” in relationships or even in casual flings. But, there isn’t a crazy girl without a boy who made her that way. Also, this stereotype can seriously go either way… the girl isn’t always the obsessive and jealous one in the relationship.
Sex: If a woman likes having sex or casual hookups, she is labeled as easy. But, if a guy likes to casually hook up with girls, no stereotypes are formed. Girls, don’t be afraid of this stereotype. Let loose and have fun, sometimes, it's fun to play the field. But for real, don't judge someone because of the people they have dated in the past. End of story.
Sizes: Of course, attraction matters in a relationship, but partners come in all shapes and sizes. The stereotype that women need to be slim to get a guy’s attention is so outdated. Same goes for the boys. Gym bros, dad bods, welcome every body type! You’ll never find the one for you if you are zoning off potential partners based on their looks and body size. Just know that if someone is judging you for your looks, then they aren’t right for you. Thank you, next.
Breadwinner: It’s 2023 and there is still the notion that women can’t be the breadwinners in relationships. Don’t judge women because they want to work hard. Your partner should be passionate about your goals and encourage you to succeed. If anything, it’s more attractive if a woman has ambition and wants a career. Also, if a man is ever insecure about you making more money than him… DROP. Immediately.
Combating the stereotypes: Anybody can easily fall into the trap of judging a book by its cover, especially when talking to friends about everyday gossip. The biggest tip I can give to combat the stereotypes is to simply not listen to them, but there are definitely some we can’t ignore. So next time you hear someone call another girl “crazy” or “jealous,” don't be afraid to speak up. Before you judge someone else, put yourself in their shoes. This is the best thing you can do to ensure you aren't judging someone for no reason.