Why I Hate Strong Female Characters

      
          Why do I dislike strong female characters?

            Well, I don’t necessarily hate them.

            But I hate the fact that the writers don’t understand that there are different kinds of strengths.

            There are more powers and strengths than just the whole “girl kicks butt whilst wearing high heels” stereotype.  

            The whole “we need stronger female leads” movement has created dozens upon dozens of the exact same girl in every YA book.

            Same angsty dull personality, and of course, she’s so not like the other girls. She hates everything feminine, because makeup and personal hygiene will give you cancer and make you look like all the other weak females, duh.

            The difference in every book? She looks slightly different and her name has been changed.

 

            I hate strong female characters, because instead of building women up it tears us down. Instead of giving credit to our normal personality traits and strengths, it gives credit to the brawny tomboys, and only them instead.

            NEWSFLASH: Most girls AREN’T as strong as guys, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH HEELS. Sorry, YA authors!

            Kuddos to the ones who are, but most of us aren’t.

            It’s okay to have girl characters cry, it’s okay to have girl characters like girly things, it’s okay to have girl characters who want to be pretty. It’s okay to have girl characters need a guy to help her sometimes.

 

             Nia Wingfeather is one of the strongest female characters I've ever read. She is a single mom, who has lost almost everything but her father and her three children.

              No, she does not lead a revolution or fight a bunch of armed men with nothing but her heels, instead she loves her children and teaches them grace, dignity, and reassures them of who they are.

               She makes countless sacrifices to save and protect the ones she loves, and she doesn't need her fists.

             THIS^. Is an example of a real woman in YA.
 

            Not all girls are body builders.

            Not all girls are sarcastic and mean 24/7.

            Not all girls are angst filled creatures, who hate the happy airhead wearing frills.

 

            What is wrong about the happy airhead wearing frills, anyway? I’d like to read about her instead for once.

 

            There are so many different kinds of girls with a huge range of different strengths and weaknesses, physically and emotionally.

            Why just write about the same one over and over? 

 

What do you think about females in YA?

 

 

Happy Writing,