Girl and women get labelled as mean girls when they set their own boundaries and say no. That doesn't make them bullies. Girls and women are expected to smile and give way to others, to be kind and gracious. The same things are not expected of men and boys.
PS: I have not once in 60 years been labeled a mean girl. Occasionally a force of nature, but I have never been called mean. It's not a badge of honor.
Re-read the OP. It's about how society labels women "mean girls", not because they are bullies, but because we are strong and stand up for ourselves. You called me a bully knowing nothing about me. I'd say that's mean but I actually think you were triggered by your perception of the term.
Could be. My experience is that mean girls are bullies and that I have been variations on bitch and dyke, but never mean.
Mean girls pick on other girls because those girls don't fit a particular expectation. Strong girls defend boundaries without bullying other girls. But yeah, I guess whatever lets you feel good about how you treat other girls/women.
I'm not a bully. I'm disabled, I had a tough time at school because of bullies. Some girls and some boys. I worked hard at being 'good', often a people pleaser, being 'kind' at cost to myself. Putting others first so they would like me. I'm glad I learned to stop doing that.
But then you identified with mean girls. I'm also disabled. I've never been a people pleaser, even when I thought I wanted to be. Disability doesn't mean you can’t be a bully.
Where did I identify with your definition of mean girls? It's subjective name calling - one you are happy to throw at me for no apparent reason! And there isn't an equivalent for boys.
I didn’t say you were a bully. I said being disabled doesn't exclude being a bully. 🤷🏼♀️
You said I identify with mean girls and that mean girls are bullies.