Admit it: Wearing makeup can be fun!

Miss Dub is helping me love my gender.

It's not that I haven't always been proud to be a woman, it's just that I grew up in a generation where it wasn't cool to admit you liked being a girl. It had nothing to do with sexism or an inferiority complex - by the 80s, we were struttin' our equality with little opposition. But for some reason, at least among my various social circles, you had to hate "girlie girls" - otherwise known as "high maintenance chicks" or "oysters," as Mr. Dub inexplicably calls them. Whatever the term, you lived your life in fear of being considered one of them or having any of their characteristics. Which is why for years I lied about getting ready in 15 minutes when it actually took me 25 - all because I didn't want to lose my position as an easygoing gal.

Here was a common exchange among girls at my high school: "Girls are so ___________" (insert phrase from following: caddy, spineless, clueless, superficial, rude, ignorant, obnoxious).

Mrs. Jay and I were particularly fond of the phrase, "Girls would sell each other out for a 7-11 hot dog."

And, well, there is some truth to it. Sadly, a lot of girls would back stab each other for the slightest chance with the high school hottie. (And, yes, I do hate that word.) There is a lot of gossiping and superficiality, especially in those woeful teenage years. But boys aren't that much better at the same age. Yet, among most of my friends (pre-motherhood) it was the norm to insist that you wanted ALL boys. Which is fine if that's the genetic card you're dealt, but the theory was girls are nothing but a bundle of hormones and uncontrollable hair flipping, and that's just not true.

Girls are great. Girls are sensitive and sweet. Girls are smart and competent.

Boys are pretty awesome, too. Dare I say, equally so.

And while I hope Miss Dub doesn't pursue a shallow existence, I won't mock her if she sometimes squeals in girlie delight over a favorite movie star. And I won't tell her she's dumb if she insists on getting her hair just right before heading out. I won't tell her that her inherent feminine qualities are any less or more than her male counterparts.

I'll tell her I love her.

I'll tell her it's great to be a girl.



Feeling all girlie and gooey inside? Go here for more along these lines ...