exciting aesthetic pleasure, generally pleasing

I hate this word. I hate hearing people tell girls that they are beautiful and ending it at that.

Women are labeled for their physical appearance, and just physical appearance alone too much. I mean seriously? What even constitutes a woman as beautiful? Is it perfect skin? Hair? The perfect hourglass body?

Is there nothing more to a woman than her appearance? 

Little girls are raised to be princesses and boys are raised to be superheroes who fight crime. It is always about the dress or the crowns but never about teaching responsibilities. Will we begin to teach women to be innovative? To be queens instead of princesses, with responsibilities for their kingdoms. To be diplomatic and to think ahead for their futures and the futures for those who they care about.

I want to hear a woman praised for her creative nature, for her determination, for her intelligence. I want to see the acceptance that a woman can be more than just hot, or cute, or sexy. There is a societal sigma that says women get to be beautiful and desirable and then they get to be old. We live in a world where men get to be athletic, insightful, inventive, talented, or brave and then they get to rest their legacy with a passed down last name.

Buy little girls glamorous gowns and shiny tiaras, but remind them that as a royal they have a job to do, and teach them how to be productive and responsible members of society. We must encourage the ideas that women are not just sexual objects, but to be determined to find passion for activities that they love.  As a society, we must raise women to be confident and fearless leaders, rather than passive women who accept simple roles.

Buy little girls the superhero costumes meant for men, to teach them that they can save Earth too, that they will save nations.

That women are innovative, intelligent, powerful, rather than just beautiful. Brave. Inventive. Kind. Focused. Trustworthy. A Warrior. Women are beautiful, but they are so much more than that.