Growing up, playing with toys was never limited solely to gender norms. I indulged in both" boy "and "girl" toys as my parents would buy any toy for me. The toys ranged from SpongeBob Barbie, and Bratz to gross gummy science games. I also owned gaming systems such as a PSP and Gameboy. As a child toys were just a way to have fun with my friends and cousins.

Moreover, most of my toys did have certain stereotypes attached to them based on gender. My " girl" toys would encourage me to be more nurturing or possibly prepare me for a future of raising babies. My " Boy" toys would encourage me to build or go out on adventures while problem-solving. These included my Pirates of the Caribbean game on my PSP and my Lego sets.

Overall, these toys shaped the way that I would have to perform gender and shape my identity as an adult woman. 

Rebelede was my favorite Novela growing up. This taught me how to dress and what to expect from my love life as a Mexican Woman. A contrast between the love movies I was consuming such as Cinderella Story and Pride and Prejudice in which everyone got a happily ever.

My notions of love began to be ones of a happily ever after and being rescued by a prince. Although, my favorite movie. Cinderella with Hillary Duff actually got the guy and still went to Princeton.

Ariana Grande, models, and Tiger Beat magazine showed me what society expected me to look like or follow in trends. I was being socialized to be concerned about my body image. These magazines often ostracized celebrities for gaining weight or coming out without makeup. I also had a fascination with the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show which also wasn't a body-inclusive show. Most of the women in shows, magazines, and music were very thin.

Influencers were big on makeup and would create new makeup lines that would sell out in minutes. Kylie Jenner and James Charles were big names in social media. This is where I learned that I had to look aesthetically cool and alter my face with makeup to be considered beautiful.

I never felt like I fit into the beauty standard as I didn't like applying makeup to myself. My idea of beauty was one of altering my body with makeup or any kind of surgical procedure that would enhance my facial or physical aspects. I enjoyed watching these youtube makeup videos but they also created these impossible beauty standards in my teenage years that often made me feel not pretty.

Michelle Obama (Author, Attorney & First Lady )

Ariana Grande (Actress & Pop Star )

These women taught me that there are no limitations in your goals. As a woman, there are many ways in which you can achieve success and be powerful as a girl. Being a woman is something powerful and beautiful.

Athletic ,intelligent, and talented. A woman can do it all.

Gender Norms have shaped the woman I am today but have also taught me valuable lessons about what that means to me and everybody else. The beauty standard is something that society teaches us to believe but we can be beautiful regardless of these societal pressures.