With this video, Proctor and Gamble's Always becomes the latest brand to send a message that empowers young women by raising awareness about how the things we say may hurt.
"It's humiliating," remarks one young lady in the interview and she is right. On or off the playground, the words sting even though being a girl is a really good thing. After all, we make up 50% of the population and life can't go on without us. No matter your age, why would you want to insult your mother, sister, friend or future significant other?
According to William B. Irvine, a professor of philosophy at Wright State University, we insult each other because it's part of the social hierarchy game. As social beings, we're given to insult in order to establish dominance and we're drawn to respond in order to improve our sense of self-worth.
Irvine explains that the best way to address this game is to be a pacifist. Don't be drawn in by the insult; move on. Great advice if you are an adult, but if you are a youngster of 10 or 12 years, being told repeatedly that you act a certain way and that way is inferior has a way of imprinting upon one's psyche.
The answer is not to overlook the bad behavior of others who are trying to establish social dominance whether they be male or female. The answer is for caring adults to intercede and demonstrate that while some have different skills and abilities, we are all equal.
Sounds like a need and a plan for an Optimist Club to me.
