They said
wear pink because that’s what girl babies wear
tie your hair with ribbons when it’s long enough
clip it back away from your eyes but
give it a good cut don’t have it too long but
too short and you’ll look like a boy
you don’t want to look like a boy now do you
don’t wear too much pink
you’ll be too much of a girly-girl
nobody likes a girly-girl but
make sure you play with dolls and feed them
hold their bottles to their lips like mothers do
but don’t grow up thinking that’s your only job no
mother’s work too and have careers but
don’t spend too much time away from the house
you’ll be a bad mother but
it’s too early for that go play outside but
don’t get too muddy that’s unladylike
the boys won’t like if you if you’re crawling in the dirt
put those curls back in a ponytail but
don’t always wear it like that or you’ll be a tomboy
you should run and play some sports it’ll teach you
how to be strong and tough but
don’t get too strong because no one wants a girl
who’s stronger than her husband but
don’t worry about that just yet
you’re in school now be good raise your hand
answer the questions but
don’t answer all of them
because nobody likes a teacher’s pet
be smart learn what you can remember you’re a woman and
you should have an education but
not too much don’t be smarter than the boys
smile and flirt and make friends and go to school dances
and wear a pretty dress but
don’t get too made up nobody likes a try-hard
and it’s not about your looks anyways but
you should wear makeup because it makes your face better
and everyone likes a pretty girl
so let that boy kiss you at the door but
only once don’t be easy but
you do need a boyfriend so don’t ruin this
and you’re in college now so time’s running out
you need a career and success but
you need a husband so don’t try too much but
go out and talk to boys let them buy you drinks but
not too many or you’ll be a floozy and nobody likes a floozy
so drink a few and play hard to get but
not too hard so you give him a chance
and don’t be afraid to fall in love but
don’t actually fall in love and get your heart broken
like the rest of those dumb girls
you aren’t a dumb girl
so break some hearts but
not too many remember you have to get married so be cute but
not fake-cute and let him buy you things but
not too much and buy him things but not too much
because girls aren’t supposed to buy boys things but
make sure you do anyways because you’re equal but
still make him pay for dinner but
only sometimes because you have your own money
and don’t forget a job you need a job
so don’t waste all your time with a boy
be better than that and don’t forget to wear pink
and clip your hair back and get it cut and be beautiful
because you’re a girl remember and that’s what girls do