Why do we have to conform?

     Why do women have to conform to stereotypes? Since when did all women lose their individuality?
    Everyone is supposed to be their own person. Love certain things, be good at certain things, and hate certain things. But for some reason, females have to dress a certain way. 
   People know women can be powerful-or at least most do. But what about when it comes down to what women wear? Their makeup? How does it change how women are seen?
   The truth is, it’s everything. Women are notoriously known for the stereotype of taking forever while getting dressed and being self-conscious about how others perceive them. I thought this was a “me” thing. The truth? It’s not. It’s a woman thing. 
     I wear makeup daily. Not to conform to society, but to enhance my features and boost my confidence. But I am not everyone. I know many females dress up and become someone they are not just to fit in. 
    In society, women are conditioned to look a certain way and to act a certain way. Often times, a women’s clothing determines how they will be treated, or “what they deserve.” personally, I have a problem with this. 
   There was a news story that came out about a month ago: a girl who was attending homecoming for homeschooled students opted to wear a chic jumpsuit instead of a typical homecoming dress. Just for this, she was barred from attending. 
     I can’t offer any tangible solutions to problems such as the one above, but I can share my anger. Whatever happened to having a brain and being outspoken? All of a sudden, it is not enough.
    I’m afraid with the current political climate and the prevailing attitude towards women, nothing will ever be enough. There are powerful women in society, such as Oprah and Beyonce, who set the standards themselves, but this is not universal. We, as a society, lack a widespread acceptance of being an individual. Being a woman should not bar a person from being themselves. Personally, like the powerful supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “I dissent.” 

Written by guest writer Daniela Wise 
Find more of Daniela at her Tribune staff profile: https://thewildcattribune.com/staff_profile/daniela-wise/