In a classic “The Simpsons” episode from 1994, Lisa’s Malibu Stacy doll responds with, “Don’t ask me, I’m just a girl!” In her frustration, Lisa expresses to her parents, “I can’t believe you’re going to allow your daughters to grow up in a world where this is their role model.”

What was once seen as humor over two decades ago has now become a staple in Gen Z vocabulary. Recently, phrases like “girl dinner,” “girl math,” and “I’m just a girl!” have permeated youth culture. Although they’re entertaining, they tend to reinforce harmful gender stereotypes. Is it time to move on from the term “girl”?

“Memes may seem lighthearted, but they hold significant power,” says Miriam L. Wallace, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Illinois-Springfield. “My concern is that they contribute to underestimating women’s potential and capabilities,”

Understanding the memes: ‘Girl dinner,’ ‘girl math,’ ‘I’m just a girl’

The word “girl” has evolved into an adjective, distinct from its reference to actual young girls. It seeks to reflect “girlhood” and aims to reclaim the term while redefining it. For example, dancing in a field with friends at 25 or debriefing after a wild night out embodies this sense of girlhood. For women who felt pressured to mature quickly—adopting traits like being “ladylike”—this playful notion of “girl” can be freeing.

However, using “girl” as an adjective can be constricting. Content surrounding “girl dinner” (which has garnered millions of views) often showcases light snacks or even empty plates, rather than full meals, potentially encouraging restrictive eating patterns, intentionally or not.

“You might say this undermines the assumption that women should be responsible for cooking and domestic tasks. A ‘girl dinner,’ after all, is not about cooking,” explains Leora Tanenbaum, author of the upcoming book “Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up For Yourself in Today’s Toxic, Sexist Culture.”

“Yet, doesn’t this simply reinforce the idea that women shouldn’t have hearty appetites and should be slim, perpetually fixated on their weight? It’s incredibly perplexing,” she adds.

Similarly, “girl math” can bolster negative stereotypes, portraying women as shopaholics or financially irresponsible. The widely used phrase “I’m just a girl” often conveys an inability to tackle traditionally male tasks, like needing assistance with taxes or shunning work, as well as a desire for male approval (even Sabrina Carpenter has used it).

‘Girl math’ trivializes women’s capabilities while lowering expectations

Research from China shows that when young women believe boys are inherently superior in math, they tend to avoid math-related extracurricular activities, such as study groups. Additionally, when reminded of math-related gender stereotypes just prior to a standardized test, women’s scores drop significantly, widening the gender gap.

“These gender-related disparities align with cultural nuances. Men and women perform similarly on SAT math when cultural expectations about girls’ math abilities are absent,” Wallace explains.

While “girl math” pokes fun at these expectations, Wallace warns that it simultaneously diminishes them.

“Even if participants grasp the irony, those unaware may internalize these stereotypical views,” she cautions.

‘I’m just a girl’ surfaces during a concerning cultural shift

Wallace observes that the rise of the term “girl” coincides with troubling trends. There’s been an increase in “trad wife” and “stay-at-home girlfriend” content along with backlash against “woke culture” and attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives designed to elevate women into leadership roles. Additionally, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, there’s been a diminishing of reproductive rights, and for the first time, a woman of color is in the U.S. presidential race. Now, more than ever, women are under intense scrutiny.

“This cultural moment feels very nostalgic for a bygone era, characterized by traditional family values, reminiscent of a ‘Father Knows Best’ mentality,” Wallace remarks. “It appears connected to an attitude of immaturity, which seems regressive.”

Memes can leave a lasting impact

Phrases like “you run like a girl” have long been designed to belittle women. However, when women spearhead the creation of gendered language, it introduces a level of ambiguity that can lead to mixed outcomes.

“On one hand, this can be seen as a response to unrealistic expectations by treating them with humor and finding ways to sidestep them. This is a strategy women have historically used,” Wallace explains.

Yet, humor can subtly affect perceptions. “Everyone acknowledges these phrases, laughing, but simultaneously internalizes them, which is where the danger lies,” Wallace cautions. The humorous guise of “I’m just a girl” makes it more likely to resonate with people, she warns.

“The nature of humor makes irony tricky,” she says. “When one stops perceiving the irony, it risks becoming an accepted expectation.”

The term “girl” has the potential to challenge gender norms and reclaim traits often seen negatively, such as embracing femininity or rejecting domestic roles. Nonetheless, Tanenbaum stresses the need to be mindful of the implications of our words.

“While they may liberate individuals, they might not benefit women as a collective group,” Tanenbaum cautions. “So, we have to approach phrases like ‘girl dinner’ and ‘girl math’ with caution, as they might inadvertently cause more harm than good over time.”