Summary

The article discusses the importance and power of female friendships and the "girl group" in providing emotional support, empowerment, and a sense of community for women.

Abstract

The article "Every Strong Woman’s Secret Weapon" delves into the science and history behind the profound impact of female friendships. It emphasizes that women often rely on their close female relationships during times of adversity, such as breakups or professional setbacks. These friendships are characterized by deep communication, mutual support, and a shared sense of understanding. The piece highlights that once societal pressures to compete are shed, women naturally form bonds that are essential for their emotional well-being. The article references studies from the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC) indicating women's superior communication skills and the intrinsic female power derived from social connections. It also traces the historical significance of female friendships, noting their critical role in women's lives, especially when emotional support from romantic partners was limited. The article cites mental health expert Kristen Fuller, M.D., who underscores the unique nature of female friendships as a conduit for sharing problems, thoughts, and triumphs. It concludes by celebrating the unparalleled support system provided by a girl group, which is crucial during challenging times.

Opinions

Female friendships are seen as a source of strength and self-love for women, providing a support system that is both comforting and empowering.
Women are naturally inclined to form close bonds with each other, which is evident from newborn behavior and continues throughout life.
Societal pressures to view other women as threats can hinder the natural instinct to form supportive female friendships.
Female friendships have historically been the emotional bedrock for women, particularly when marriages were more transactional and less emotionally fulfilling.
Men may not fully grasp the dynamics of female friendships, as male bonding typically occurs in the context of shared activities rather than emotional exchanges.
Women benefit from the ability to openly discuss their feelings, insecurities, and vulnerabilities with their female friends, which is both therapeutic and empowering.
The article suggests that the support from a girl group is unique and cannot be replicated in the same way by other types of relationships, including those with romantic partners or family members.

Every Strong Woman’s Secret Weapon

The science and history behind female friendships and the “girl group”.

They say behind every strong woman is her troupe of fellow strong women. Had a breakup? Job rejection? Something didn’t go quite as you wanted?

Your girl group will have your back.

But what is it about healthy female friendships that are so powerful for our inner strength and self-love?

Why, as a woman, does it tend to be your girlfriends, sisters or mother who you turn to when faced with struggle or dilemma?

And why is it that we all seek such comfort in these close female-to-female bonds and heartfelt conversations?

The Girl Group: Dissected

Women and girls are a complex species. While we’re all prone to some healthy (or sometimes not so healthy) feminine competition — we also tend to be fiercely loyal to the women in our lives whom we are most close to.

Once we shake off this societal pressure to see other women as threats, our natural instinct is to love and comfort one another. Celebrate one another. Support one another. Empower one another.

According to the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC):

Studies consistently show that women are more proficient than men at all forms of communication — verbal and non-verbal — more socially skilled, better at spotting and ‘reading’ the nuances in people’s reactions and behaviour and generally more interested in people and relationships. This is evident even among new-born babies, before social conditioning could possibly have any effect.

And so, once we tap into this intrinsic female power, this primal need and affinity for social connection, our female friendships become unstoppable forces for good. As women, we thrive on human connection, and so when we give ourselves (and each other) what we need, every aspect of our lives improves.

The History of the Girl Group

These habits date back to our hunter-gatherer days, where we would depend on our female circle through thick and thin. And then throughout the history of civilization, female friendship has been the bedrock of women’s lives.

This was especially apparent back when marriages were purely economic agreements and emotional support fell — often entirely — on the lap of female friends as opposed to husbands and boyfriends.

And although romantic relationships are kind of a thing now, and husbands and boyfriends often chip in at least a little to this emotional support, female friendships are still deemed irreplaceable when it comes to a woman’s emotional fulfillment and sense of self-worth.

What is it about female friendship?

According to Kristen Fuller, M.D.:

Although men and women do complement each other, as women, we thrive on strong relationships with our girlfriends. Such friendships give women an outlet to share their problems, thoughts, feelings, and triumphs with those they feel a close bond with.

And so, the men in our lives may not fully understand the inner mechanics of female friendships or the elusive girl group — other than the fact that when it comes to going to a public bathroom, we prefer to travel in packs. Sure, they have their guy groups but — this isn’t quite the same. Unlike most male equivalents, not only are groups of female friends able to open up about our feelings — including each and every hope, dream, doubt, and insecurity — but we live for it.

What better way to strategize a challenge, revel in a win, or recover from a setback than to offload everything onto your girl group?

Not only will they celebrate your successes with you, but they will reassure you that you did the right thing, that things will get better, or simply offer you a shoulder to cry on, and let you know that they’re there for you? This femininity-fuelled human connection at its most basic form cannot be understated.

Men generally prefer to spend their time together bonding over a specific activity — such as playing video games or sports (some call this “shoulder-to-shoulder” rather than the female preference of “face-to-face” bonding). Although women, of course, engage in this type of bonding too, most women will agree that to really feel close to a friend, it’s through heartfelt and honest conversations in between the social engagements and activities.

And while men often try to hide any vulnerability, insecurity, or self-doubt from their male friends, women tend to openly admit these alleged weaknesses to their girl group which can be both therapeutic and empowering — as any good female friend will step up to the mark and build you up in the way that she knows you need it.

So here’s to female friendships

Never underestimate the power of your fellow females and your relationships with them. We need each other — through the good times and the bad.

After all, sometimes all you need is to feel supported by people who understand you; Who knows about all your mistakes and alleged flaws, but love you anyway.

Sure, you can get this from family, partners, and other types of relationships — but the solidarity of a girl group is an unmatched force to be reckoned with!

So during these strange, bewildering and largely solitary times, be sure to reach out to the women in your life — to let them know you love them and have their back via phone or video call. It’s through our cherished emotional connections that we will get through the hard times, and eventually be ready to celebrate the good.