"girlfriend" style

[Anita Taylor]

Of interest to me in this whole discussion about "girlfriend" style is the discussion itself.  There is nothing new about the behavior.  The name seems to be new . . . and I hope the dissertation study will investigate its source and why it seems to be thot to "work."
     Certainly, girls (and women) dressing in whatever "new" way attracts suitors, whether it is emulating them or distinguishing ourselves from men, or doing both simultaneously is not new.   And, as some of the discussants have pointed out, the gender ballpark being entered and/or marked out by the name is that of small, emulative style focused female . . . in contrast to big, active, doing male.
     Language is used in service of maintaining underlying gender structures.  What I never have gotten is why we, women, let it keep working.  Indeed, take active roles in making it happen.
     ANITA Taylor, Professor Emerita, George Mason University, Fairfax VA.