JIBS UNITED SUMMER ISSUE 2024

SUMMER 2024

Words From the President

Living in the 21st century can be rather interesting at times. In certain aspects, we are striving forward rapidly, whilst in others it seems as we are living in the past.

As a president, every two months I attend a conference with the nine biggest business schools in Sweden. Therefore, recently I visited Uppsala. I was highly looking forward to getting familiar with their student culture as it has its roots from many years ago. We had a city walking tour and visited the most beautiful buildings, we networked, and we learned more about the history of Uppsala. After dinner, we prepared to get ready to go out to one of their most famous nations. Arriving there, the guard told me to open my jacket, which resulted in me thinking that this was about ensuring nothing was smuggled inside or some similar purpose. When my colleague was asked the same question and opened her jacket, she was denied entrance. Guard: “She cannot enter, she is not fulfilling the dresscode”. Just to illustrate the situation, my colleague was wearing a very suitable pantsuit. When questioning the guard, we were told the dresscode for all women was a dress, and a dress only in that matter.

How is it possible that in such a modern country as Sweden there are still people who identify individuals based on how they dress? Especially in a society where feminism and equality are praised so highly, it surprises me this is still reality. However, the underlying shapes of society are not only affecting women. Where women sometimes can experience the feeling of having to look pretty and suppress

themselves if they have strong opinions, men can feel intimidated by expressing emotions, or experience the pressure of having to have the higher income in the relationship. It is within our responsibility to reset and redefine the rules.

No woman should be defined in how they dress, but rather in how they act. Call someone intelligent, not just pretty, or hardworking rather than beautiful. Let us continue to support one another, uplift marginalized voices, and strive for a future where every woman and man can thrive, unapologetically and authentically.

Julia de Geus

President Jibs Student Association 23-24

Words From the Editor

Presenting to you the JIBS UNITED Spring edition for this year. We’re so incredibly excited to share this issue with our readers, and we hope that you’ll enjoy it and can relate to some of its content. This issue will indeed be the last JIBS UNITED magazine that I’ll ever work on, which makes me emotional. I have been in this magazine for two years; I joined in my first year of university, and I made all of my friends through it. I’m so incredibly thankful for everything it has taught me. With that aside, my time as a project manager has been quite exceptional. I am beyond proud of the team I have put together, I give them so much love and respect for the good work we have all done this year. As I always say: without them, this would have not been possible.

The theme for this year’s magazine is girlhood and womanhood. This year, our team consisted of so many brilliant women who are truly inspirational in every way possible. That is why it seemed natural to me that this should be the theme for this year. The way we all relate to certain experiences always brings us closer.

I find this topic highly relevant, especially this past year where we have seen this topic in many recent movies like Barbie or Poor Things, which have been widely popular and appreciated by women around the world since they discuss issues that are usually undermined despite their importance to us. Topics such as female independence, sisterhood, and the anti-aging culture will be discussed in this issue, along with so many other topics.

Our magazine, JIBS UNITED, is very unique compared to university magazines—we try to highlight the dimensions of our interests and personalities. This year has been eyeopening to the hidden talents around me; therefore, I would like to thank my very talented writers as well as the designers of this magazine for making this piece of art.

With that, I leave to enjoy the magazine!

Signing off as the Editor for the last time,

Aya Henawi

Can Teenage Girls Pls Have Their Hobbies in Peace?

Women and Their Moms

Alicia Öhrn Ibarra

Event Manager / Marketer

If I learned one thing in this magazine, it’s that these quotes are the only thing that mattered

Beatrise Liepina Proofreader

Think like an optimist, do as a realist, get ready as a pessimist

Denise Ahmadizadeh Marketing Manager

“If all else fails, you can marry rich.” - Rory Gilmore

Franceska Aliraj Marketer

Ya’ll I don’t know what to say, my lips are popping

Aya Henawi

Project Manager / Editor-in-chief

This degree gave me all my 13 reasons

Ksenia Biela Writer

“Tables turn, bridges burn, you live and learn.” - Drake

Boglárka Faragó

Proofreader

We’re alive so this is heaven

Fadumo Mahamed Yussuf Writer

On to new things while basking in gratitude and wisdom

Hewan Desta

Podcaster

Iron Man

Time stamp - 1:25:27

HongJian Li

Art Director / Graphic Designer

“Time and space do not exist; on an insignificant basis of reality, the imagination spins out and weaves new patterns.”

- August Strindberg

JIBS UNITED

Meet Our Members

JIBS United take pride in being the school’s oldest student-run organization, founded in 1996 and going strong today! We focus on uplifting student voices, and our mission is to provide inspiring and entertaining content to all JIBS students and alumni, publishing twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer.

Miranda Karlsson

Vice President

Stop whining

Selina Klasen

Podcaster

Don’t trust any statistics you didn’t falsify yourself ;)

Ola Saady

Marketer

Born to nap, forced to work

Tina Markovic

Marketer

Gaslight Gatekeep Girlboss

Vendela Spångäng Writer

I get everything I want :)

Wendy Ju

Graphic Designer

Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary.

Sabijn Braches Head of External

Our organization is made by students, for students, and our goal is to make the study time as interesting and rewarding as possible.

Ernst Bruno Head of Administration

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming

Celebrate endings - for they precede new beginnings

De Geus President

We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are

Julia

Natálie Hamríková

Vice President / Head of Education

The JSA Board

JIBS STUDENT ASSOCIATION

Lucas Enander Lavalle Head of International

Don’t settle for less just because it’s available

Emilia Larsson Head of Social

Work hard, play hard

Don’t chase dreams, chase vision

Aser Hmeidi Head of Internal

La historia me absolverá!

Julian Carbonniér Erlandsson Treasurer

Howdy partner!

Josefin Phan Head of Marketing

If there’s a will, there is always a way

The Two Fridas

WRITER | Aya Henawi

Unraveling the intricacies of identity, love, and resilience in the adversty of womanhood as diving into the symbolism of Frida Kahlo's iconic masterpiece.

One of my absolute favorite paintings to ever exist is The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo. Frida doesn’t even need an introduction since she is a worldwide sensation in the art industry as well as feminism. I’m sure you know her for her famous self-portraiture.

The Two Fridas was the first thing I thought about when choosing the theme for this semester. This painting has made such an impact on my life and the way I view myself as a woman, you may say it has altered the wiring in the brain.

The painting was painted in 1939, the same year as her divorce from her painter husband, Diego Rivera. Their relationship was rocky but beautiful in its way, so the divorce took a hit on her. This painting shows a double selfportrait holding hands. On the right, we have the Mexican Frida, wearing the traditional Tehuana costume which at the time was a cultural symbol of revolution. According to Kahlo, this was the Frida that Diego loved and adored.

The European Frida — “the unloved Frida”

The Mexican Frida — “the loved Frida”

The heart to the right is sustained by the small portrait of Diego, symbolizing the connection they both had in that version of herself. The Frida on the left, the European one, is the unloved Frida since she is disconnected from Diego. The portrait shows the European Kahlo trying to stop the blood flow through both Fridas’ veins as they’re connected. Blood is a recurring theme in Frida’s paintings; in her eyes, and through painting, blood represents unity for her. That is clearly shown in her family portrait painting. Unity in family was a big thing for Frida since she couldn’t have children. Therefore, you can say this painting discusses the duality of her identity as well as womanhood and fertility.

Frida was known for being real, and her paintings being raw and terrifying at times. Frida painted this at a time when her life was falling apart. I appreciate how both Fridas are holding hands, supporting one other despite the difficulties and disparities between their identities. The one with a weaker heart is supported by the one with the stronger heart. This, to me, is the foundation of girlhood and womanhood—knowing how to be there for yourself when you need it because with the proper self-love, you’ll recover and heal from whatever you’re going through.

Frida will always be my idol. She continues to be an inspiration to generations who face discrimination in male-dominated industries. Her art shaped feminism in today’s society. She was so ahead of her time—an untraditional, bold, and unapologetic soul. All love to such a revolutionary icon for all women to come.

The subtle background shifts the main focus to the Fridas, yet symbolizing the storm of instability duriing that period of her life

The Victorian costume — the abandonment of Mexican culture

The connection and support between the two Fridas

The traditional Tehuana costume — cultural symbol for revolution

The cut off vein — her pain and damage

The little portrait of Diego — her affection for Diego

Her empty heart without blood — the emptiness of her life

Her healthy heart full of blood — her fulfilling relation with Diego

GUIDE

WRITER | Vendela Spångäng

Have you ever been jealous of watching those girl squads having a blast wherever they go?

I know, it’s time to get out and gather your own crew. This is your step-by-step guide to make it happen. Tag along!

Step 1: Be social

Step number one is for you to be social. Start by putting yourself out there. Chat up the gals you think seem friendly and fun. A simple “hey” or a compliment can kick things off.

Step 2: Be open and engaged

You have been a social butterfly for a while, and you have broken the ice. It is time to take the next step and dive a little deeper. Get to know your potential pals. Be open to your newfound friends. Be interested, ask about hobbies and interests, and learn what makes them glow.

Step 3: Plan fun hangouts

Once you have gotten closer, it is now time to plan some fun activities. This can be hard; you do not have to please everyone! Pick things you enjoy. Some examples are movie or game night, arts and crafts, margarita night, or simply a dinner. You can make a theme if you like. Just invite the girls and host your activity.

Step 4: Name your crew (& your very first meeting)

Since your girl group is now established, it is time for an important meeting where big decisions will be taken. Your girlhood needs a name. Come together, bring your snacks and drink some wine while you declare the meeting started. You are all going to write down potential names for the group, fold your notes and put them in a bowl. Time to read the names out loud. Together you and your girls vote for the best name. The name with the most votes wins. Good luck! (P.S. During this step you lay down some ground rules for the squad as well.)

Step 5: Make traditions

Every girl group needs traditions! It is very important to celebrate the small things (and all things, of course). Whether it is a monthly brunch or a weekly Netflix binge, it’s a must have! It is important for you and your gals to hang out as much as possible. It’s all about bonding, and it is also important in the matter of memory making.

Step 6: Stay loyal

Above all, be there for your girls. You have your gals’ backs, no matter what. Keep their secrets safe and nix the gossip. Talking behind their back is forbidden. Remember, loyalty is key!

So, go ahead–embrace your journey. You have everything it takes to build your own girlhood now. Create it and let it shine!

Only Yesterday

WRITER | Aya Henawi

The normalization of shame and embarrassment surrounding women's experiences and emotions, advocating for open dialogue and understanding in society

Only yesterday, I watched the movie Only Yesterday (1991) by Studio Ghibli. The beauty of it blew me away, although, I must say: my opinion isn’t that outstanding. The movie has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 7.6 on IMDB.

The movie follows the character Taeko, who has lived her entire life in Tokyo. She visits the countryside to help her sister’s in-laws harvest flowers and organic produce. The movie consists of two chronological timelines— present time as well as her childhood back in the 60s.

Throughout the movie, we see flashbacks from her time in fifth grade. We witness the character’s most embarrassing, cheerful, and heartbreaking moments from her childhood: all moments that made her the woman she is. One of the embarrassing scenes was when the girls in school started getting their periods. The boys ran away since the rumor was that periods are contagious. This made Taeko terrified of someone assuming that she was on her period. As ridiculous as this all may sound, I have to argue that it’s not that farfetched from reality. I always notice it in myself and in the women around me: we’re always embarrassed by the smallest little things. Maybe not the menstrual cycle per se but everything else. Shame, guilt, and embarrassment are often linked to women as a result of the patriarchy trying to silence our reality and de-validate our emotions.

There is such a generalized stigma about women that is deeply rooted in our society and culture. It’s so normalized to the point where fighting against it is met by being called “too radical”, “too sensitive” or “easily offended”. Our reactions are overreactions and our expression of emotions is always “dramatic”. When expressing opposition to such unnecessary and offensive comments, you get called a “man hater” instead of being heard and understood.

You might be thinking: this article took such an unexpected political turn. And I agree. Things escalated way too quickly. However, this is where the problem lies: a woman asking not to be stigmatized or shut down when discussing her opinions and emotions is not political. Having a civilized conversation about this should be encouraged, and actually listening to the woman, not just thinking about your next comeback or even an answer.

We need to collectively change the nature of our society to promote a world where the needs and interests of the people are responded to. And not just some people, but all of them.

Finally, returning to the movie, it’s funny. Exactly because the movie doesn’t explore the subject I brought up and nevertheless, it is truly all I could think about watching some of the scenes unfold. Our experiences are so different from the rest of society, we’re taught to tolerate so much for no apparent reason, and that was clearly shown in the movie. I highly recommend it as Taeko’s experience is incredibly relatable to many women I know. The movie’s vibe is very different from this discussion to be honest with you, but I couldn’t help but think twice about that movie. I felt like I’d seen it before.

We need to collectively change the nature of our society to promote a world where the needs and interests of the people are responded to. And not just some people, but all of them.

“I Am Not Like Other Girls”

WRITER | Vendela Spångäng

Why do we strive to distance ourselves from being seen as “typical girls” and instead desire to be perceived as unique and special, when in reality, we are all inherently alike in so many ways?

“I am not like other girls,” she said, like it’s a script in a movie or a relationship. We want to be unique but still be accepted. We want to fit in but still be different. We are never happy with who we are. Why do we have this perpetual desire of being different and special? Are we scared of being seen as “typical girls”? And who is it that decides who those “other girls” are? If all of us want to be different, then who are the “other girls”?

We are all special in our own way, yet we are so alike. We happen to be on this planet at the same time, we look pretty much alike, and we feel similar things. Why do we keep telling people that we aren’t like other girls? What is so special with us that makes it so important not to be associated with the rest? I can’t help but wonder if the reason that we keep telling people that we aren’t like the rest is because we want to better ourselves. Is it a call for attention or is it simply just a way of making us feel better about ourselves? I want to believe that the reason is because we all want to be unique, we want someone to like us, and we fear being compared to others.

Amidst these questions, I question: why do we hesitate to celebrate the qualities that make us similar? I find joy in acknowledging the diversity among the girls around me. We don’t need to keep claiming our individuality; we are already aware that, while we may not be exactly alike, we share many traits and experiences worth celebrating.

I wonder—what is so bad about being like other girls anyway? I like celebrating all girls around me–for their honesty, humor, characteristics, smarts, confidence, curiosity, and everything else. They can be anything they like, and I will continue to celebrate them for who they are.

We no longer need to declare it: we know we’re not like other girls, yet we’re strikingly similar in countless ways.

Between us, girls, I’d like to be just like other girls!

FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS

Female friendships—one of life’s biggest treasures. I think there is something remarkable about growing up together and watching each other step into adulthood. One moment, you are having fun on a playground, the next—you are getting ready for a night out.

Unlike any other relationship, female friendship creates a space without judgment; one in which women can be vulnerable and share joy. They often find in each other a sense of solidarity, a sisterhood created by shared experience, successes and failures.

In a constantly changing world, it is comforting to have a part of society that understands you and relates to your struggles. That safe environment can be very empowering and allow women to pursue their passions and goals with confidence. Sometimes just one fact is enough: that no matter what happens, they have support, and someone who will always listen to them.

However, it must be noted that those types of friendships are also the ones that deal with jealousy and misunderstandings. Despite the fact that jealousy is usually associated with negative feelings, though, it can have a positive impact as well. There is a thin line between it becoming toxic, and the jealousy motivating and pushing you to go beyond your limits. It can be hard to navigate through it, but afterwards, they are the things that strengthen the bond between women.

WRITER | Ksenia Biela

Furthermore, those friendships are meaningful because they are based on a deep connection and mutual respect. When we take a look at it from a different perspective, there is something unique about experiencing life together for the first time, not only while stepping into adulthood. Women grow and change their whole life, and their female friends are by their side the whole time. They are constant companions, guiding through the unknown with loyalty and wisdom. v

I know from my own perspective how hard it can be to find the right people to be friends with, especially when it comes to women. It can be a struggle, but it is possible and when you have those kinds of relations, you have to cherish and nurture them. Even though some societal narratives paint women as competitors, the authentic friendships are built on collaboration and trust through which they lift each other up, celebrate their ups and downs. Female friendships remind us of the beauty found in close bonds and friendships where both sides care for each other deeply.

“Even though some societal narratives paint women as competitors, the authentic friendships are built on collaboration and trust through which they lift each other up, celebrate their ups and downs.”

…or rather a more apt title would have been “The Fear of Ageing and Consumerism”, but we live in the age of clickbait and buzzwords, and a girl’s got to have their fun.

But clearly not too much fun or we’ll start smiling and get wrinkles, and oh no! Any sign of ageing that is completely natural and happens to everyone would be just terrible. But why? Why are we so scared of ageing? Why are the signs of the passage of time so unimaginably terrifying that we have to spend excessive amounts of money on procedures and products? And it’s truly curious that it’s something that disproportionately affects women.

The average life expectancy around the world is 72 years, 80 years in the European Union and 82 years in Sweden. And yet, I cannot count the times I’ve heard girls in their early to mid twenties—only a quarter way through their life—refer to themselves as old and worrying about showing a single wrinkle.

And, more importantly, what is causing this fear?

According to the New York Post, around 28% of women under the age of 25 are already scared of ageing and that number grows to 42% in the next age category of 25 to 34. The worry is only alleviated after the age of 55. Now, dear reader, is it not crazy to live in fear of ageing for more than half of your life?

Unfortunately, the reasons for it are in abundance, and it would be near impossible for me to list all of them, so let’s stick to a few.

One of them, and, arguably, the most prevalent one is simply what we see in the media. We are fed a lot of lies by the “beauty” (heavy emphasis on the use of the quotes there) industry, with their airbrushed ads to sell their products and questionable slogans in advertising—do 20 year olds really need to be using your anti-ageing wrinkle cream? Or do you just want your profits to reach a record-high, ignoring the fact that they come from insecurity that you have instilled?

Not only advertising is the problem, though. We look up to various celebrities who seem to never age throughout decades—and this is a subject I will tread carefully because I in no way judge any celebrity for any cosmetic procedures they might have had done. However, as ordinary people who don’t have access to the same wealth as they do, we must remember that they are celebrities.

A lot of actresses earn more than enough to be able to afford cosmetic procedures, surgeries, private training and coaching, but such is not the case for the Average Joe (or Jane, in this case). Yet, the non-celebrity woman holds herself to the same standard, despite having not nearly the same kind of resources or time. It’s an unattainable goal that only makes her spiral down a depressing road of stress (which, ironically, ages her quicker), wasteful spending on skincare products and self-deprecation.

Another reason that, I assume, no one will be surprised to hear about is the patriarchy. There have been studies upon studies that repeatedly prove that men, when choosing their romantic partner, will prefer significantly younger women (think a 60 year old man going for a 25 year old woman). That is a fact that further incentivizes women to continuously try to hide the signs of age because it’s important to feel desired and to be seen as beautiful in the eyes of their partners.

The PassageMisogynistic of Time

Funnily enough—and I write this while not laughing, lest I get a wrinkle!—men do not face the same problem because the same studies keep finding that women prefer their partners to be around the same

WRITER | Beatrise Liepina

Fear of ageing fueled by media portrayals and societal expectations

age as them, though that is a whole ‘nother can of worms that we shall keep closed this time around.

To conclude what I fear might have turned out to be a depressing rant, I want you, the reader, to look inward and ask yourself, truly, if time really is the enemy.

Fall in love with yourself now and keep that love around as you age. I know that most of our target audience does not currently have to worry about grey hair or wrinkles appearing, but when they do—and they will—please don’t fall out of love with yourself. Your body does so much for you and any sign of age is just proof that you have lived (laughed, and loved), and that is such a beautiful thing.

You deserve to be loved unconditionally, and the only person that can provide that love to you is yourself.

The type of music encapsulating the transformative journey from innocence to sophistication, offering solace, understanding, and a sense of belonging along the way.

WRITER | Ksenia Biela

The Soundtrack of Girlhood

The soundtrack of girlhood is an ongoing carousel of genres. From the innocent melodies played in childhood to empowering feminine tunes. Music carries women through the journey of life.

Music is therapeutic, it helps dealing with different emotions, and that is why it plays such a significant role in girlhood. The transition from a teenager to an adult can feel like a bumpy road, but music can be the cure. Listening to lyrics that are relatable creates a sense of understanding. Sometimes while struggling, it is hard to realize that we are not the only ones dealing with problems. Songs bring hope that it does get better and even after the darkest storm, the sun comes out.

Moreover, lots of female singers create safe platforms where they share songs that empower women and make them feel more confident. They encourage young girls to embrace their uniqueness, which nowadays is so important. While we are heading into a scary future that has planned how everyone should talk, look and behave, it is so valuable to remind women to be their own desired version of themselves.

The soundtrack of girlhood reflects the journey through life—how it changes from carefree, playful tunes to rebellious, complicated ones. It is complex, the changes happen a lot, going from one genre to another. Trying new things

and discovering yourself is a part of growing up, and that is what can be seen through music as well. The changes never stop, just like a woman does not choose only one genre to listen to for the rest of her days. Sounds miserable, however that is why it is all part of the process. Unfortunately, some women stick to one genre, they stay in one place and do evolve. It is so sad to see when people do not want to switch because of what others will think. Music is supposed to bring pleasure and joy; why ruin the whole purpose of it?

Furthermore, music works like a camera, it freezes time. It brings back those “videos” that were captured and lets us relive and enjoy those moments once again. When life gets tough, we want to be reminded of the nicer times. It feels nostalgic for women, hearing songs that remind them of the good old days when they were young. At least for a few minutes they get to feel the way they used to.

For me, music is something I couldn’t imagine my life without. When I hear a specific song or even an artist, I look back and think about who I was when I used to listen to them. It makes me appreciate how far I have come in life and how much I have changed. Often we neglect the presence and focus too much on the future. Stopping and looking back helps me in living in the moment. It is so easy to miss out on the fact that now we can be living the dream life of our past selves that used to pray for it.

Acold and

frosty December morning had just dawned. As I was waiting for my bus to school, it arrived a few minutes earlier than usual, which filled me with joy as my cheeks had started to tingle a bit from the crisp air submerging the city.

The bus took off, and more and more people got on, including some of my friends. They were in the midst of a heated discussion about a new game they had started playing; I greeted them and continued to look outside at the beautiful sunrise outside. Hues of pink and orange covered the sky, and a promise of a sunny day hung in the air—something so rare those December days, even the thought had filled me with so much joy. I was half-listening, my eyes never leaving the window.

However, my friend’s sudden change in tone caught my attention, and I turned to face them. They all looked grave, which made me feel uneasy. “What’s going on?” I asked, hoping someone would fill me in. “The new ranking is out,” they said in unison. My stomach dropped as I heard this. I had never downloaded the app or asked for my ranking, but I knew it was near the bottom. A boy had once told me that while we were playing soccer to tease me, and the comment had hurt me deeply. I never let him know as much, though.

Months later, our teacher caught on that someone (or some people) had been ranking girls in our school based on their looks. The school nurse had to have one-on-one conversations with each girl, asking about the situation and how it had impacted their self-esteem. We all agreed that it was bad, and the nurse sympathized with us, but nothing was ever done. The rankings had been anonymous, thanks to an app called Ask.fm, and the people behind it were never caught.

When the bus finally arrived, we all got off to head to our first class of the day: PE. It was the second of four sessions we had each week as our school had recently attempted to improve the health and well-being of its students. The irony was practically clinging in the air.

Confessions from a former tween

Can teenage girls pls have their hobbies in peace?

The memory of Justin Bieber’s breakthrough hit “Baby”, and the subsequent backlash it received still lingers in my mind. It was one of the most hated videos on YouTube at one point, which struck me as odd, considering there are far worse songs out there (I’m looking at you, Jason Derulo). Then came One Direction’s debut a few years later, and people began making fun of them and their fan base too. It was around this time that I finally realized something: they don’t hate these artists, movies, or hobbies—they hate teenage girls.

But why? What makes them more annoying than anyone else? “I highly doubt that,” I thought as I turned to face my desk mate—a gamer-boy who proudly told me he had punched a hole in his wall and proceeded to show me a picture of said hole. I shook my head and thought: “More annoying than this?” Where is the nationwide outcry against him? Do teenage boys just get away with everything under the umbrella of “boys will be boys”? The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

I remembered a Vine that was trending at that time, making fun of teenage girls at the mall. “Can we not even go to malls?” I thought. Why is everything we do so damn criticized? If you like makeup, it’s “superficial” and “what are you trying to hide, anyway? Mind if I pour a bucket of water on your face to find out?” But if you don’t wear makeup, you’re a “pick me” and “do you find joy in being different?

Like ooooh, I’m such a

natural beauty, haha.” These conversations are exhausting, to say the very least.

Going online and seeing all the Magcon boys with wigs on, making fun of teens by pretending to be them in a caricaturistic way (while profiting from them, mind you) was exhausting as well. And if they weren’t criticizing everything about young girls, they were making countless remarks on what they found good or bad in their appearance, stating publicly what kind of girls were pretty and, if you didn’t fit that mold… well, that sucks.

Realizing all of this was like a cold plunge to the face. And, even though I am no longer a teen myself, my heart still goes out to the teens of today who are living in, what I can only assume is, a much more severe climate, with more souldcrushing apps than ever before.

WRITER | Fadumo Mahamed Yussuf

WOMENAN

Through Merida’s story, we witness the unique challenges that women still face today, even in privileged positions. Merida’s mother is caring and self-sacrificing, but she initially fails to see the importance of her daughter’s independence.

The astonishing nature of womanhood is often difficult to put into words, but it is a truly remarkable thing. This is beautifully illustrated in the 2012 Disney movie Brave, which follows the story of our protagonist, Merida, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery while coming of age as the heir to the throne. Despite being prepared for the position since birth, Merida does not want the throne as it comes with numerous traditional expectations that she finds stifling. Her mother, however, sees it as necessary for the preservation of their way of life.

EHTDSMOMRI

Through Merida’s story, we witness the unique challenges that women still face today, even in privileged positions. Merida’s mother is caring and self-sacrificing, but she initially fails to see the importance of her daughter’s independence. It is only when Merida’s mom begins to realize that her daughter has thoughts and views that she feels so deeply that her mother realizes the value of allowing her daughter to grow on her own.

This journey of self-discovery and the struggle for independence is one that is reflected in the lives of many women, not just in real life but in media as well. Take, for example, the mother-daughter duo of Rory and Lorelai Gilmore, whose relationship is often portrayed as the epitome of mother-daughter goals each time fall rolls around. Yet, they too have their struggles. Lorelai has always had the fear that Rory would repeat her mistakes—this fear ultimately drives Rory away when she takes time off from her studies. Lorelai neglects that Rory is an individual with fears of her own and not just an extension of herself.

The challenges of finding a dream job, excelling in their field, and navigating successful relationships can be overwhelming for anyone, especially if you are a woman. Mothers like Merida and Lorelai may try to protect their daughters from these challenges, but they fail to see that their daughters are forces to be reckoned with in their own right. After all, they do take after their mothers, and their unique experiences and perspectives are valuable as well.

Listen to JIBS Talk, United’s very own podcast on Spotify!

Keep up with us at @jibsunitedmagazine on IG and JIBS Talk on Spotify.

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Deloitte in Sweden is one of the leading auditing and consulting companies. We have approximately 1,600 employees and our larger offices are located in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö, and we also have offices in about twenty locations around the country.

Deloitte is one of the world’s largest audit and consulting networks with approximately 415,000 employees in over 150 countries. Deloitte is the brand under which our specialists worldwide deliver services in auditing, accounting, tax advice, acquisitions, mergers and divestments, business consulting, financial reporting,

risk management and financial and administrative support services.

Grow in a safe environment with inspiring leaders

At Deloitte you are challenged on a daily basis to develop in your profession. It is important for us to strengthen you throughout your journey towards achieving your goals. To accomplish this, you are assigned a coach who follows you through your career and challenges you to reach your full potential. You also get continuous feedback and support from your colleagues and leaders. Only you decide how far you will go at Deloitte.

What if you could personalize your career like you do your playlists?

We are looking for newly graduated talents to join us in 2024 and scale our four different service lines — Assurance, Consulting, Tax and Strategy and Transactions — to new heights. At EY, you can work with a diverse team of 3,7 00 colleagues to help our customers solve demanding challenges. With us, you will find portunities to build a career that is as unique as you. ey.se

Vi utvecklar dig som utvecklar oss

Att det varje morgon ska kännas kul att gå till jobbet är viktigt hos oss på Grant Thornton. Även under perioder när arbetet kräver mycket tid och fokus. På Grant Thornton kommer du till en stark teamkultur där alla får komma till tals och varje individ räknas.

Grant Thornton är Sveriges största revision- och konsultföretag med fokus på entrepenörsföretag. Hos oss får du möjligheten att sätta dig in i verksamheten, identifiera risker samt utföra kontroller. Du får direkt kontakt med flertalet kunder och möjligheten att växa på dina villkor. Tillsammans skapar vi framtiden.

Vill du veta mer om oss?

Följ oss gärna i sociala medier @grantthorntonsweden eller prenumerera på vårt nyhetsbrev Grant Thornton Student.

Delar du vår inställning?

Drivet och glöden finns hos alla som jobbar hos oss. Vi kallar det inställning. Den som löser komplexa utmaningar, utvecklar företag och har en positiv påverkan på samhället.

Din energi, inställning och dina nya perspektiv är en viktig

del av vår ständiga utveckling. Därför vill vi vara en viktig del av din! Oavsett hur din karriär kommer att se ut i framtiden, ser vi det som en förmån att få vara med när den börjar.

PwC erbjuder både praktikplatser och jobb på flera orter. Läs mer och se alla våra lediga tjänster på vår hemsida:

https://www.pwc.se/karriar

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