being a girl (Part I)

Over the last few weeks particularly, for some reason, I've found myself involved in many "gendered" conversations. Its not mainly male bashing as some of you might assume, but really logical and rational discussions about being a girl, how things are different for guys and all that other stuff. A friend of mine posted this up a some days back. I can imagine all the guys reading this will be going "yeah right..." and all the other things-guys-would-say-stuff. But this is for the girls: think you girls will understand. :)

Why Do Little Girls? Lyrics
By: Harry Chapin, Living Room Suite

Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grow tall
The boys were taught to tumble
The girls told not to fall

The girls answered the telephone
The boys answered the call
That's why little girls grew crooked
While the little boys grew tall

Why did the little girls grow crippled
While the little boys grow strong
The boys allowed to come of age
The girls just come along
The girls were told sing harmonies
The boys could all sing songs
That's why little girls grew crippled
While little boys grew strong

Why did the little girls come broken
While the little boys came whole
The little boys were set aflame
The girls told to fan the coals
The boys all told to be themselves
While the girls were told play the roles
That's why little girls came broken
While little boys came whole

Why were the little girls made frightened
To be just what they are
The boys were told to ask themselves
How high how far
The girls were told to reach the shelves
While the boys were reaching stars
That's why little girls were frightened
To be just what they are

And still they bled for us all
As the moon rode the sky
They carried our seed
When our need ran high
They fed all our children
In the night as they cried
Womankind wept
As mankind died

Why were the little girls left hurtin'
When all the boys were done
And the girls left in the moonlight
When the boys went to meet the sun
And when the girls were open
Why had the little boys all won?
That's why little girls were hurtin'
When the little boys were done

Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grew tall
It's maybe because the little boys
Didn't ever have to grow up at all