The Girls

Girlhood is big business. The ones who are best at it literally treat it as an occupation, modeling or taking suitably candid-looking pictures of themselves, recommending clothes and jewelry and books, going viral on TikTok. They’re performing a way of being that looks joyful, effortless, and adorable. It’s a performance that by definition has a sh... See more

As Charli explores the highs and lows of womanhood, what it means to be a so-called ‘brat’ is revealed - life is messy and complicated and as a result, we roll our eyes, complain over the most trivial things, cry too much or not enough, feel hotly insecure, question everything and hold on to madness until it explodes.

How could she have known what a girl’s laughter does to a boy? If she believed the boardwalk T-shirts, a woman was a ball or chain, someone stupid you’re with, someone to lie to so a man can drink beer. If she believed television fathers, women were a constant pain, wanting red roses or a nice dinner out. If she learned how to be a girl from songs,

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