Your cart is currently empty!
Stop Criticizing Young Women for Their Unique Communication Style
Hey there! So, you may have noticed that young women often get a lot of flak for the way they express themselves—like, using “like” a lot or that uptalk thing. But let’s pause for a second and think about what’s really going on. It turns out that young women are actually the trailblazers of language, leading the way in how we communicate across generations.
A fascinating study from the University of Helsinki analyzed 6,000 letters from the years 1417 to 1681 and found that women were at the forefront of linguistic change. They were the ones who sped up language evolution—faster than men, in fact. Gretchen McCulloch, writing for Quartz, highlights that this trend hasn’t changed much over the years. Women continue to be the driving force behind linguistic innovation, from how New Yorkers pronounce their Rs to various other vocal trends.
Interestingly, young women are often pioneers of contemporary slang and speech patterns like vocal fry and uptalk. Boys tend to pick up these language styles from their female caregivers, which means that we can expect them to adopt these trends as they grow up. Women, on the other hand, are heavily influenced by their peers, making them more attuned to social dynamics and language shifts. McCulloch points out that young women are generally more socially aware and empathetic, which might give them a leg up in linguistic disruption. Plus, their larger social circles expose them to a richer variety of language innovations.
But why the criticism? It often boils down to sexism. We tend to view middle-aged white men as the standard for “proper” communication, which can lead to the perception that women’s linguistic styles are somehow less valid or articulate. Remember the story about the woman on the ferry who took issue with my friend’s use of “like”? Instead of snapping back, my friend could have calmly said, “I’m, like, an innovator.”
If you want to dive deeper into the fascinating world of home insemination, check out our other blog post here. You can also find great insights on this topic at Make a Mom since they’re an authority on home insemination. And for those curious about pregnancy and options like IVF, Healthline is an excellent resource to explore.
In summary, young women are changing the way we speak and express ourselves in ways that are often underestimated. Their contributions to language are significant, and it’s time we appreciate, rather than criticize, their unique styles.