How to be a Girl According to Everyone

As girls, we are taught that our bodies are something that is dangerous and needs extra layers of protection and surveillance. We are told we need to develop a sense of shame and secrecy and anything less will be met with unwarranted judgments. Growing up, we learn to walk with our eyes glued to the streets and ignore the cat-calls and gropes. We are judged by the length of our necklines and haircuts.

WHY? 
Because that is what society expects of us.
We grow up believing that for girls everyday is a constant state of questions, conclusions and labels. And that is okay, it comes with the territory of being a girl.

Here is a short round-up of the unspoken (and unreasonable) rules that you are expected to conform to as a part of the female population. Girls, these are going to get you the tickets to gender performance, pay attention: 

1.    Be all the things that you are expected to be at all times by everyone, just don't expect anything in return.
2.    Live your life knowing that everything you do and don't do will revolve around children and marriage. 
3.    Wear a scarf. All the time. 
4.    Don't complain about men gawking at you if you don't wear a scarf. 
5.    Accept that eve-teasing and discrimination are inevitable and a part of your everyday life. Don't expect that to change. 
6.    Whatever you do, don't Ask for It. If you are harassed, it's obviously your fault. 
7.    Be pretty and appropriate. Be woman enough.
8.    Be independent and be who you want to be. Be man enough.  
9.    Smile, even when people pass inappropriate comments as compliments. Accepting compliments is the polite thing to do.

10.    Don't talk about your periods. It's a secret.
11.    Never let your bra strap show. That's also a secret. 
12.    Don't wait too long to get married; men and aunties don't like old maids. 
13.    Don't be too young when you get married, you will lose your credibility as strong and independent.
14.    Be prepared to defend your choices to the whole world, after all they are entitled to know what happens in your life. But don't expect them to understand it. 
15.    Don't like sports, because the majority of people won't expect you to or will assume that you don't have any sizeable knowledge of sports. 
16.    But if you do, make sure you know everything.
17.    Friends with boys? That's it, the aunties have put you on their 'bad girls' list.
18.    Before you do anything, always ask yourself: What will people say? 
19.    If you want to be well-liked and approachable don't talk about feminism.
20.    Don't get angry over jokes or comments, it's always because you are on your period or you are being a feminist.  
21.    Don't be a feminist.