Girlboss Feminism

The concept of a girlboss cannot coexist with the concept of feminism- equality for women, regardless of status or job title says Amy Walsh

‘Girlboss feminism’, also known as ‘choice feminism‘, is a movement that focuses on the empowerment of the individual, rather than the liberation of women as a whole.

It plays into the notion that any decision a woman makes is inherently feminist because she made it, whereas in a past, more patriarchal society, these decisions would have been made for her. On the surface, we are forced to question what is so wrong about a woman doing well for herself and no one else?

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This wave of feminism is certainly a 2010s phenomenon, but has roots in the 80s, as women like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher strutted over Britain in a power suit and heels. Thatcher certainly captures the essence of what a ‘girlboss’ is. Loved by some and hated by most, being Britain’s first female prime minister should be something that we look back at with pride, as places such as the US, are yet to be led by a woman. however, instead, her period of power is looked at with shame and resentment by feminists everywhere.

Thatcher didn’t politicise her gender, and for this she is praised, showing girls everywhere that it doesn’t matter if you’re not a man in politics or in this society in general, you can still achieve. However, this is not as inspirational as it seems. Some may see Thatcher’s refusal to ‘play the gender card’ as powerful, but in reality, this simply ignores the fact that for her, this was a choice that undermines the feminist movement. 

Had Thatcher been a loud and proud feminist, emphasising her position as what could have been a feminist pioneer, and using this to empower young or working-class women who did not have the privilege, or option to be career-chasing businesswomen, for example, chances are she wouldn’t have ended up where she did. Thatcher was able to get herself into the highest position of power possible, but in doing so, she disempowered women everywhere.

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This is entirely the premise of Girlboss feminism. Margaret Thatcher did do something incredible, she became the first female Prime Minister, but did so at the cost of her identity, and in turn, the identity, sacrifice and suffering of millions of British women, past and present, because society treats women differently based on everything, from political views to job title. Thatcher did what men wanted, she kept quiet and didn’t allow her gender to be a talking point in UK politics at the time.

Whilst the case of Margaret Thatcher and her connection (or lack thereof) to feminism looks to the choice and privileged aspect of ‘girlboss’ feminism, and how her ignorance toward the feminist movement put her in the highest seat in Britain, there is also a capitalist aspect to this forever- problematic commodity.

For example, many see Sophia Amoruso as a self-proclaimed girlboss, majorly popularising the term. Amoruso originally founded clothing brand Nasty Gal in 2006, which is now one of the top international fast fashion brands, as well as writing New York Times bestseller ‘

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Amoruso’s success is riddled with problems and is built on anti-feminist principles. Amoruso was a businesswoman first and foremost, and while in her mind, this was a feminist statement and symbol of female empowerment, her girlboss movement failed to acknowledge that it is impossible for all of us to be successful under capitalism. Capitalism works by allowing some people to ‘succeed’ at the expense of others. Put simply, capitalism can only exist with the exploitation of the working class (including women).

It may seem like a major progression to have women involved in the world of big business, such as Sophia Amoruso, from a perspective of diversity, but this individual woman disempowers thousands of other women worldwide.

An investigation by The Sunday Times discovered that her company was paying their garment workers an hourly wage of £3.50 at a factory in Leicester-much lower than the minimum wage of £8.72 for those over 25. This is a perfect example of capitalism exploiting working-class women, whilst a business giant sits at its head preaching girl power. At its core, the concept of a girlboss cannot coexist with the concept of feminism- equality for women, regardless of status or job title.

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So, what is wrong with a woman doing well for herself and no one else? We must use nuance when looking at people and their actions. Not every action is empowering, inspiring or liberating simply because a woman is doing it. Being a woman who is successful should not go hand in hand with being a woman who is cutthroat, willing to step on anyone (including other women) to get to the top of their field, whilst a major part of their success and brand is owed to feminists (Thatcher) / relies on feminism (Amoruso).

Feminism is about the freedom of women, standing together for equal treatment, an expansion of rights and fighting individual issues such as the gender pay gap. As we enter the future of feminism, let’s ensure that all women are included, empowered and treated fairly to men while understanding the importance of the feminist movement to young people. The fight should not be against another woman as we are all working to achieve the same thing.

Amy is a 17-year-old aspiring journalist who is currently studying her A- levels. She hopes to transfer her passion for the creative and informative aspects of writing into a journalism degree next year to eventually work as a journalist in the media industry.“We all know Kim Kardashian is a bad b**ch!” enthuses an article I read recently on the social media mogul. And if you aspire to a certain school of thought, she certainly is, as CEO of not one, but two, multibillion-dollar companies. But she was also born into money, and worshipping her as a “bad b**ch” ignores the arguably toxic culture she promotes. That's why her recent advice to women in business to “get your f**king ass up and work” has caused a storm. Sure, she's worked hard – but it's way easier to launch your own brand when you started off from a position of wealth and brand recognisability.

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Kardashian, and other influencers of our age, are synonymous of the problem with term ‘girlboss feminism.' The concept celebrates successful businesswomen breaking the glass ceiling and making racks in the face of adversity. But it's not that simple. Individual women being ‘girlbosses' does not change the systematic oppression women face in the world of work. In fact, the whole point of girlboss feminism is

To attempt to break this down, but to be successful despite it. The girlboss doesn't try to change the system in order to help

Girlboss feminism doesn't address issues of unequal pay, sexual harassment, or dangerous working condition. It ignores complex issues such as race, sex, disability, and sexuality, which disadvantage millions of women attempting to make it in business. Unsurprisingly, the girlbosses that dominate the media and the top ranks of businesses are generally white, cisgender, conventionally attractive, and wealthy even before entering the corporate world. Girlboss feminism does nothing to open up pathways to those without this privilege.

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Kardashian undoubtedly works hard at what she does – but she has a string of nannies to look after her kids; two full-time chefs; and the reassurance that she's made of money. Telling women that they just need to work hard to achieve anything they want ignores the real-world factors that the majority have to contend with – factors that have never been in Kardashian's way. We don't all, despite what Molly-Mae Hague thinks, have the same 24 hours as Beyoncé. I'm sure Beyoncé never worked 40 hours a week at minimum wage.

In the years since its conception the term ‘girlboss' has exploded – and big business loves it. It's a snappy soundbite that makes it sound like companies are empowering and inclusive, celebrating a token symbol of diversity without doing anything truly meaningful to help women. It's like how wearing a fast-fashion ‘girlboss' T-shirt made by a child in a Bangladeshi sweatshop doesn't really translate to being a champion of women's rights.

And most girlbosses don't do anything for feminism at all. Sophia Amoruso, the CEO who coined the term, has been accused of a litany of rather un-feminist crimes: racial discrimination, firing pregnant employees, copying other women's designs, and abusive management. A Sunday Times investigation even exposed her company for paying workers in Leicester £3.50 an hour – when the minimum wage was £8.72. Molly-Mae Hague, as creative director of Pretty Little Thing, works for a company controversial for relying on modern-day slavery. And Kim Kardashian, who preaches the importance of “no toxic work environments, ” is being sued for not paying employees, illegally employing underage workers, and refusing to give staff breaks during the working day.

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It could even be argued that the original girlboss was Margaret Thatcher, who certainly broke through a glass ceiling in becoming the first female prime minister – but

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