#iambossy

I’m not bossy, I’m the boss. A designed from the old school BV edition. Dm to buy 😃 #bossy #boss #bossybitch #bossypants #bossyalifeup #bossbabe #bosslady #bossbitch #bossbaby #bosses #bosslife #bossmode #iambossy #iamtheboss #leadership #tshirtquote

Personally, I don't mind the word "bossy". I've never really been labeled as such, but when around girls who were, I never saw it as something to shrink from. I admired them, in fact. It's the way I would act if I weren't so caught up in my shyness and awkwardness. "Bossy", to me, has always seemed more a compliment than an insult. The root of the word itself indicates as much -- who wouldn't want to identify or be identified as an authoritative individual? Someone in charge. Someone people look to for leadership, protection, wisdom. Even further, it's applying (as per our cultural definition) paternal qualities to a FEMALE. That should be empowering. That IS empowering, in a paternalistic society -- it's amazing. The only problem I see here is the reinforcement of the fear of the word. Reinforcement and perpetuation of things which don't really mean much in light of its power to empower females. Actually, I think the real problem, deep deep down in our collective social subconscious, is our issue with gender and the traits assigned to each. Females are "naturally" docile and gentle and submissive and kind, whereas males just so happen to embody all the (supposedly negative) traits of the word "bossy". But that's okay for them, right? It's only scary if a female, a girl, steps outside of the boundaries of her gender (in this, again, paternalistic society). Then, it's a bad word. Then, it's allowed to become a detriment to one's sense of self and identity. Because it's "naturally" a masculine adjective. Masculinity is a thing reserved for males. The word "bossy" isn't the problem. The problem is our cultural context. It is ignorance. It is encouraged fear. So, how about we reteach ourselves that it's perfectly fine to be assertive and independent and outspoken as females, as women, since those qualities were never meant to be solely possessed by males in the first place. How about, instead of banning things or euphemizing them, we eliminate the stigmas and the negative connotations? Reshape its' suggestions. Teach our daughters and our sisters to embrace all that "masculinity". Let's be aware of these outdated conceits and stop peddling them -- whether with passivity or lack of this kind of understanding... Don't ban bossy. Ban ignorance. Signed, Bossy-once-you-get-to-know-me