Alice Vol. 7 No. 5

Having a group of girls doesn’t just increase the
number of people to watch Euphoria or the
Bachelor alongside. The females who add value
to one’s life can impact individual wellness and
improve quality of life.
The importance of girl gangs is more
than having people to gossip with and tell secrets
to; it’s being confident in the support system and
having friends who always know the right thing to
say.
Everyone has been through friendships
where someone has caused pain and treatment
the other party would never inflict back. In those
moments, it is important to look towards the
people who have consistently been there to help
recover.
“I learned the importance of having
female friendships from a young age because I
have an older sister who has always been there
for me. The scariest part of going to college was
knowing I would have to start over and find a
group of girls I felt comfortable with,” said Lydia
Jackson, a junior interior design major at The
University of Alabama. “I quickly met girls who
I knew would be my life long friends. They are
people I can call at any minor inconvenience
and offer me new perspectives on life. Female
friendships are the most rewarding, fulfilling and
intentional relationships we can have.”
In situations like these, girl gangs can
ease the stress and anxiety by allowing individuals
to vent and share emotions. When talking to
someone trusted full-heartedly, people tend to
get a sense of home. It’s comforting to know that
certain girls would never participate in activities
that leave others feeling betrayed.
Although men are also great to have
close friendships with, there is a difference.
Females understand each other in ways men
do not. Women often have more emotional
motivations than men, causing multiple divides
in the way people act, think and problem solve.
Therefore, it is incredibly beneficial for women to
create strong bonds with one another.
“Having girlfriends is an essential part
to having the best college experience. After a hard
day in school, being able to hang out with friends
is the thing that can cheer me up,” said Patricia
Dyer, a junior accounting major at The University
of Alabama. “Also, having friends in your classes
can make learning easier and more enjoyable.”
Women can serve as each other’s
emotional support system. Without a doubt, a
huge part of a girl’s emotional and mental strength
comes from the power of how close the girlfriend’s
relationships with other women are. These friends
can brighten any day and comfort every sorrow.
Although finding friends like these cannot always
be easy, once found, it is important to never let go.
“Having a girl gang in college has been
beneficial for me because they are my home away
from home,” said Lauren Jolly, a junior psychology
major at The University of Alabama. “They are the
people I can always rely on and confide in when
I have a good or bad day. At the end of the day, I
know I have someone in my corner.”
Unfortunately, today’s world can often
make it a goal to tear other women apart. Tearing
women down is too often rumored to bring
validation. Too often are women categorized as too
sensitive, too dramatic and too emotional.
Supporting other women can only
benefit the gender as a whole, especially when
others underestimate women. The idea that close
friends can be the love of our lives has been
prevalent since it was declared on Sex in the City.
Carrie Bradshaw said, “They say nothing lasts
forever, dreams change, trends come and go, but
friendship never goes out of style.”
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