Yes, I can understand that. It took me maybe 45 years to really start throwing off my social programming, but once I started to really get confident in that (in part, by going to swinger's clubs where women were respected and largely in charge of things) it totally changed things for how I relate to the world - and how the world relates to me. At 59, I'm not "invisible" and I'm not afraid to speak my mind in any and all situations.

Social programming for girls is no better than it is for boys - it's just more directly self-harmful. We need to teach all kids how to be confident individuals who don't do things to disempower themselves or anyone else.