This video is part of the #LikeAGirl campaign by Always, a brand of feminine hygiene products. The campaign aims to keep girls’ confidence high during puberty and into adulthood, since “like a girl” is often used as an insult for girls and boys, which negatively affects the confidence and self-esteem of girls from a young age and especially at puberty. This video shows how the campaign is trying to change what it means to do something “like a girl,” showing a compilation of home videos and personal stories from strong, confident girls and women all over the world doing activities such as dribbling multiple basketballs at once, scoring baskets, playing tennis, doing chemistry and math, rock climbing, playing hockey, riding horses, ice skating, running, doing gymnastics, luging, dirt biking, and kickboxing as they confidently state that they are doing these things “like a girl.” The video ends with a call to action, to join the campaign and share your own stories to rewrite the rules and change what it means to do something “like a girl.”

discussion

What does it mean to do something “like a girl”? Are positive or negative things associated with it? Who is it said to and why?

How is this campaign trying to change what it means to do something “like a girl”? Do you think it was successful? Why or why not?

Where do you think this phrase came from? Why do people say it? Have you ever used it? What did you mean when you used it?

What is the impact when someone tells young girls or boys that their actions are done “like a girl”?

What is significant about puberty and self-esteem? How does this relate to gender expectations?

What kind of impact does a campaign like this have on people seeing it and on people participating in it?