The thing I hate most in fiction is when a character who was rebellious, counterculture, or nonconforming in some way becomes a more societal acceptable version of themselves, and this is portrayed as a good thing and as character growth.
For example, butch woman or tranmasc characters becoming more feminine and motherly. Or punk characters changing their hair and style of dress to a more culturally acceptable standard.
I hate conformity as shorthand for maturity.
I hate conformity as shorthand for maturity.
I know this post and most (if not all) of the reblogs so far are about media, so apologies for derailing, but that last sentence had me thinking how it's true for real life, too. Especially if you work in a corporate job but don't conform to the corporate "look" (my attire is still "office appropriate" [i.e. I usually wear something with a shirt-style collar], I do damn good work, and I'm lucky enough to work in an environment that doesn't stifle personal expression, but I still often get mistaken for being at least a decade younger than I am).
As a cis woman, I think I'm supposed to take this as a compliment?? But really, it's just kinda sad that most people don't think someone expressing themselves with bright/colourful/glittery/metallic makeup and layers of jewellery can be older than, like, 26. And even by 26, I feel like a lot of people are fairly - if not very - mature, so if they look like me, are they being mistaken for teens??
Black, white, grey & beige corporate attire does not equal maturity. Minimal makeup and accessories does not equal maturity. There are no rules, do what makes you happy.
Conformity is not shorthand for maturity.
