The Unwritten Rules

We all know that little girls are made of sugar and spice and all things nice.

From a very young age both girls and boys are taught consciously and subconsciously about the ways of the world; more simply called our ‘norms and values’. These norms and values mould the ways that we behave and change through time and era, and I for one think that the unwritten rules are the most intriguing.

The novel 'Wetlands' by Charlotte Roche is easily the most stomach churning book I’ve had the pleasure of reading, challenging social conventions pushed on women. If you are compelled by the shocking and honest, and have a stomach made of iron, then I urge you to get a copy. In fact this novel doesn’t just challenge women’s views, it squishes them, stops all over them then feeds them to the dogs. I stress that this book was not a delight to read, but an experience all the same.

Swings and Roundabouts

As a woman in her twenties I feel our generation are predisposed to do certain things which are deemed both acceptable and intolerable; we are influenced into buying sexy underwear (of the cheese wire variety) however under no circumstances must we remove said wedgie for fear of being un-lady like. We are told wine is a delicate and feminine drink, however more than a bottle and we’re bingers and boozers. Those of us who are skinny are told we are not womanly, and those who are curvy are fat. I know I am not the first or the last to point out these inconsistencies; however it seems we’re swimming against a tide trying to constantly change our perspectives. 

We abide religiously by the unwritten rules in society; many of which we don’t even recognise as rules. Some such girls can be found in TopShop; buying the latest flowery tops, leather look leggings and wearing clothes that the cast of Fame last found acceptable. I cannot judge, I am one of these many sheep.

We change our norms like our underpants..

Etiquette is a word often associated with the musty who have long since forgotten how to have fun. However, we have drinking etiquette, sexual etiquette, and different etiquette depending on our company. Most of this is subconscious; if we are likely to indulge in fourteen tequila slammers and a greasy kebab, I doubt we would share this with Aunt Elizabeth over a scone. 

'Wetlands' deals with spunk, gunk, grime and everything in between. The word discharge is used colourfully time and again and in great detail (and if the very thought makes you squirm then it has achieved its mission). Eighteen year old Helen Memel is the girl behind the grim tales. At eighteen she is already confident in her exploration of anal sex, using men for sexual gratification, and believe it or not, has a penchant for masturbating with avocado seeds. What is frank honesty for Helen I imagine unsettles many of her readers.

Helen highlights all of these unwritten rules that we abide by; she takes great pride in a great lack of hygiene, taking her clothes off and showing her body to anybody she possibly can. She doesn’t see the point in removing her make up, changing her underwear or even buying proper tampons. Even if you don’t agree with her actions (which I dare say I don’t) this novel provokes thought; so next time you’re buying a bra or spending a whole months wages on one designer dress, have a think, are you doing it for you, or because you are expected to.