#BreakThings: The Britney Paradox
02.25.21
What did we learn as little girls about who we were and what we deserved?
That’s a question I’ve been asking myself a lot these days.
This New York Times opinion piece is the latest to discuss how Britney Spears, the pop-icon of my generation, was treated by the public and press. As pointed out by the author, we build women up in order to destroy them. Good girls v. bad girls, that was a dominant theme in my youth.
My close friends and I felt constant pressure to be virginal, but also to look f**kable. We were encouraged to have dreams and goals, but mocked if they seemed unattainable. College was a place of learning, but also a place where we were supposed to find husbands. And from my conversations with close friends, we are still undoing the legacy of these lessons, even in our 30s and 40s.
Growth is a process. When it comes to treating women and girls equally, it is a multi-generational one. Unspinning the lessons of our youth takes time, but we must reckon with what we were taught in order to raise the next generation of girls and women.
I remember watching Martha on television when I was young. Her elaborate dinners, her lush gardens, her adorable Chow-Chows. She was the epitome of the WASP housewife. But she was also a mogul, an innovator and, perhaps, the first influencer.
This Harper’s Bazaar article examines Martha and her penchant for reinvention and her commitment to building her brand. It’s a fascinating look at a fascinating woman. It’s a good thing.
This story about a wild who was shorn of 75lbs of fleece brought some levity to a tough day. The before and after photos alone are worth your time.
Last summer, I lost a pair of beloved, heirloom earrings. I was devastated. To protect other pairs, I purchased these Chrysmela fastening ear backs. They fasten closed to ensure that your earrings don’t fall out of your ears. They’re worth every penny.
Shape has a fantastic list of recipes for baked oatmeal. From funfetti flavors to a simple combination of oats and blueberries, there are some wonderful choices. Baked oats are basically just cake for breakfast. And that sounds amazing.
Ask a Boss discusses a difficult question that many of us have confronted — what to do when you’re offered a promotion, but not an accompanying raise? It’s an important discussion.
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