By Ava Umpierre ’27
Throughout history, women have often been expected to live in the shadow of men. Women have always been generally viewed as submissive to men, where their only purpose is to bear children, clean, and accommodate to men’s liking. For decades, society reinforced the idea that women should be quiet, obedient, and dependent. However, over the last century, and especially in recent years, these expectations have shifted dramatically, even more so among young adults.
Today’s generation of young women is redefining what femininity and independence look like. Instead of prioritizing relationships above all else, many women are focusing on personal growth, education, careers, friendships, and mental health. Social media has played a major role in this cultural change by giving women a platform to share experiences, advice, and support with one another. We see this evidently with the TikTok trend of being a “young ho.” A “young ho” typically means being young/having a young spirit and acting on your freedom, not involving romance. The term moves away from the former derogatory connotations and now encourages enjoying your youth to the fullest while eliminating inconveniences, resulting in chaotic routines and finding pleasure in them. Online communities often encourage women to value individuality and self-respect rather than sacrificing their happiness to maintain unhealthy relationships.
Another major shift is evident in dating culture. In previous generations, women were often encouraged to stay loyal and patient, even when relationships were unhealthy. The common belief was (and still is) that men would eventually “change” when enough love and attention were poured into them. Today, many young women reject that mindset entirely. Instead, online advice frequently encourages women to recognize red flags early, leave toxic situations, and avoid settling for less than they deserve.
Social media has even developed its own language surrounding these changing attitudes. A woman who is viewed as overly obsessed with a man or willing to embarrass herself for male attention is sometimes referred to online as a “bird.” While the term is often used humorously, it also reflects how modern internet culture criticizes behavior that appears desperate or dependent. Many young women now encourage one another to avoid losing their identities in relationships and instead maintain confidence and independence.
Although sexism and gender inequality still exist today, younger generations are clearly challenging traditional expectations surrounding women. Through online platforms, education, and changing social values, women are increasingly choosing empowerment over submission and independence over dependency. The evolution of these attitudes shows how much society’s view of women continues to change in the modern era.
The Raider Press 