What Makes Girls Sick and Tired
What Makes Girls Sick and Tired
Girls are sick and tired of cleaning up after their fathers, uncles, brothers, and cousins.
Girls are sick and tired because women’s bodies are so often considered problematic, whether they are completely veiled or completely naked.
Girls are sick and tired of paying a “pink tax”. Haircuts, cosmetic creams, deodorant, shoes, jeans and razors – all of them cost more for women than for men.
Bisexual and queer girls are sick and tired of being made out to be unstable, insatiable, or as confused.
Girls are sick and tired of being stoned, kidnapped, exiled and subjected to genital mutilation in the name of cultural tradition.
Girls are sick and tired of knowing that globally women between the ages of 15 and 44 are more likely to die of rape and violence than cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria combined.
(United Nations UNITE Campaign 2015)
The excerpt above covers only a few of the comments made in this feminist manifesto which outlines the discrimination and unfairness faced by girls and women of every description and every race, every day. Lucile de Pesloüan includes the LGBTQ community and women from all countries and nationalities, and female readers will feel that they are part of this larger feminist community, even if some of the comments do not personally apply to them. Only on the final page does the author give a glimmer of hope that women standing together and supporting one another may begin to change what has become the unfortunate norm.
Each page has one main thought which begins with “Girls are sick and tired….” - a blunt statement from the author of this feminist rant. The points do not go into depth but invite readers to look more deeply into female and male stereotypes. The book is merely a jumping off point for the many discussions needed in contemporary society, and, if the author’s forthright statements make people angry or sad or provoke some other emotion, then she has accomplished her goal of bringing sexism and discrimination to light.
What Makes Girls Sick and Tired is illustrated by Geneviève Darling, and her art makes the book both more entertaining and thought-provoking. Darling shows readers all types of women and men, and the clear illustrations help get across the points the author is making. Darling illustrates everything in shades of purple – an interesting choice.
What Makes Girls Sick and Tired is a book not only for adolescents but for adults as well. It is not only for women but also for men. Indeed, it should be required reading for everyone. The contents will provoke discussion and debate about topics too long hidden or ignored.
Ann Ketcheson, a retired teacher-librarian and high school teacher of English and French, lives in Ottawa, Ontario.