What is the “I’m just a girl” TikTok trend?
The “I’m just a girl” trend is about women sharing relatable experiences. It’s an ironic catchphrase shared in TikTok videos and social media boys as a sort of feminine equivalent to “boys will be boys.” “I’m just a girl” makes fun of old, sexist stereotypes about women (that they’re naive, incapable of doing things that men can, and lacking agency) and turns them into funny excuses for women to use in their daily lives. Unsurprisingly, “I’m just a girl” videos and memes often use clips of the 1995 song “Just a Girl” by No Doubt, which is an empowering feminist anthem about women trying to live in a society that treats them as delicate and powerless.
The Meaning of the “I’m Just a Girl” Trend
Women use the TikTok trend to joke about their quirks and experiences. “I’m just a girl” or "I'm only a girl" is a way to quickly excuse the way you do something; you might see someone post about driving over a curb and justify it by saying, “I’m literally just a girl,” or explain that they didn’t text back because they’re “just a girl.” Basically, “I’m just a girl” is supposed to be a funny and relatable vehicle for women to share moments of immaturity, where they’re choosing to be “girls” rather than women. For example, @houseofmaeli posted a TikTok video with the caption, “VP of Marketing: What are your thoughts on that? Me: I am literally just a girl.” “I’m just a girl” is also meant to be ironic. In other words, it’s not all about how women are genuinely bad at math and can’t drive; it’s just a way for women to joke about making mistakes or poke fun at themselves. “I’m just a girl” also lets women share their experiences without having to justify or explain anything; it’s all meant to be in good fun.
Women use the trend to blame small mistakes on being “just a girl.” Essentially, they use the meme to joke about getting away with things, such as doing a task poorly or not putting any effort into something, because they’re “literally just a girl” (meaning people will assume they’re incapable anyway). Women also use it to joke about silly shortcomings or mishaps in life. For example, @caitlinmcpher posted a TikTok in which they used their arms to measure the width of a mirror (to make sure it could fit into a car) instead of using a tape measure, with the caption “IM REALLY JUST A GIRL.” Some worry that pulling the “I’m just a girl” card encourages a lack of accountability for anything. Although the original trend is supposed to be sarcastic, using it genuinely is a concern!
Some people use “I’m just a girl” to embrace their femininity. “I’m just a girl” can also be used to share helpful or relatable tips, like how to pick makeup and skincare products, try out different clothing styles, or mend a hair tie. They’re all things that might be considered “girly,” but what’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing, and the “I’m just a girl” trend encourages ladies to be more open with their “girly” lifestyle hacks. For example, TikTok user @itzcrystaa posted a video showing viewers how to shrink loose hair bands by placing them in boiling water. On Instagram, girlygoto posted a clip of themselves wearing a high-heeled shoe on one foot and a sneaker on the other, with the caption, “Daily struggles (I’m just a girl).”
It can also be a commentary on how girls are judged more than boys. Ever heard the phrase “boys will be boys”? It’s a pretty common saying used by people to justify men’s bad or immature behavior. However, women don’t have any justifications; they’re expected to be mature and put-together, while men are easily excused. So, “I’m just a girl” is sometimes referred to as the female answer to “boys will be boys.” Studies have suggested that women and minorities are punished more harshly than others in the workplace for the same mistakes, adding fuel to the “boys will be boys” fire. Thus, “I’m just a girl” is a fun way for women to characterize their own actions and explain away their quirks in a similar way that “boys will be boys” does for men.
No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” Song
The TikTok trend is based on No Doubt’s popular 1995 song, “Just a Girl.” The song was written by singer Gwen Stefani, who wanted to address her experiences being treated like “just a girl” by men. It’s sung from her perspective, with the chorus being ironic (making the phrase “I’m just a girl” an expression about the imbalances between the sexes and how men are treated versus women). The first chorus goes, “I’m just a girl, little old me / Well, don’t let me out of your sight / Oh, I’m just a girl, all pretty and petite / So don’t let me have any rights.” “Just a Girl” was released in 1995. Later, in 1999, the phrase “I’m just a girl” was also used in the movie Notting Hill, when Julia Roberts said, “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
“Just a Girl” is a powerful anthem about the female experience. In each verse, Stefani also sings about how it feels to be diminished and underestimated by men, singing, “This world is forcing me to hold your hand,” and “I’m just a girl, living in captivity / Your rule of thumb makes me worrisome.” The song has been celebrated for its message of female empowerment, as well as its relatability for other women. In other words, “Just a Girl” is all about wanting to be treated as capable—and an equal—but being treated as “just a girl” instead. Thus, women and girls also use the “I’m just a girl” trend on TikTok to share their experiences.
The “I’m Just a Girl” Hamster
Some “I’m just a girl” posts also use the sad hamster meme. The sad hamster meme is a picture of a small, blurry, greyish hamster with large, wet-looking eyes, often used in jokes and memes because it looks sad and pitiful (and adorable, of course). In February 2024, TikTok user @iwasbella made a post featuring the sad hamster (with a pink bow on its head and a video game controller) and the caption “When he asks why I can’t aim (I’m just a girl).” Since then, the sad hamster has been used by other people alongside the “I’m just a girl” trend to emphasize the idea of being small and weak, or “just a girl” (ironically, of course).
Why is “I’m just a girl” controversial?
Some feel that “I’m just a girl” infantilizes and demeans women. They worry that “I’m just a girl” implies women are childish overall, or lacking in skills or knowledge that other people have. People have posted videos and memes that could be misunderstood by those who aren’t aware of the “I’m just a girl” trend and its original meaning, and one concern is that it might portray women as unwilling to take accountability for themselves.
The trend may push harmful stereotypes. When people joke about being bad at things like driving or math with the “I’m just a girl” trend, there’s also the risk that their jokes will be taken literally. Women already deal with being unfairly stereotyped as weak and incapable of doing things perceived as “manly,” and a fun social media meme shouldn’t exacerbate that! The danger is that the meme could normalize silly mistakes. When women try to get away with things by saying they’re “just a girl,” it may give the impression that being bad at something or unable to do it is just part of being a girl.
There’s also a concern that kids might take “I’m just a girl” too literally. After all, young people are impressionable! So, if certain “I’m just a girl” videos and memes end up perpetuating harmful stereotypes about women (even unintentionally), kids might pick up on those stereotypes and assume they’re true. Should ladies be allowed to joke about their lives and experiences online? Of course! However, it’s also important to be conscious of the ideas you’re spreading around (and how they could affect others).
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