Stereotypes: The Easy American Girl

Before leaving for Spain last fall, I was so excited to be exotic for the first time in my life.  In the States “Sarah plain and tall”—a term to which I have been compared—is hardly considered irregular. Unfortunately, upon arriving to Spain, although I stood out like a sore thumb, I was still not exotic, I was just an American. 

Due to the massive influence of American culture, we are rarely considered mysterious or unusual.  This substantial presence leads to various labels and presumed behaviors.  In any study abroad orientation, advisers will discuss these stereotypes.  Some of these basic characteristics include wealthy, obnoxious, loud, and often ignorant.  However, one of the most prominent stereotypes not often covered in these meetings is that of the drunk, sloppy and easy American girl. 

In the States, and especially in college, it is much more culturally acceptable for a young woman to be drunk.  Walk the streets of any college town and you will find smashed girls falling all over the place, equal to their male counterparts.  Although these images certainly aren’t attractive, it is nevertheless widely accepted and certainly never considered strange.  However, in certain parts of the world, such as Spain or Costa Rica, being a drunk woman in public is like having, “please fondle me” tattooed to your forehead.  One woman’s good time often turns into an open invitation to an easy target. 

Even if you are lucky enough to escape the interests of some of the less noble local men looking for a score, you will still be considered extremely trashy to be seen in such an inebriated state.  If you look around the majority of Costa Rican and Spanish bars, you will discover very few drunk local women, if any at all.  The ones that always draw stares are the loud rowdy American women.

Even without alcohol, American women are often considered easy.  I have two theories related to the existence of this belief.  The first is American women are seemingly much more assertive and expressive than in other cultures.  As Americans, we are taught that women are equal.  While feminism does still have a long way to come and there are still various prejudices and inequalities directed towards women in the States, we are much further along than in many other parts of the world where women are still considered inferior. 

Additionally, the topic of sex is much less taboo in the States than in other parts of the world, especially where Catholicism is the predominant religion.  Of course there is sex in Costa Rica, but you are not allowed to talk about it nor practice it openly.  Women have less sexual freedom and are forced to pay much more attention to their sexual reputations.

The other origin of the easy American girl assumption is less related to our strength and liberty, but rather to phenomena such as Girls Gone Wild.  Unfortunately, the easy drunk American girl is often an accurate stereotype.  Young people go on vacations with the intention of “getting crazy,” and committing acts they would never perform otherwise.  Later we recall these memories with nostalgia uttering phrases such as, “Ha ha, I cannot believe I did that! I was so drunk!”  Unfortunately, these found recollections of dancing on tables and making out with strangers is exactly what creates the myth of the easy American girl.

It is important to remember that on a study abroad trip, the student is representing not only herself and her school, but rather an entire culture.  People will assume traits about an entire country based on an experience with only one person.  Of course, part of studying abroad is going out, having a good time and meeting lots of people.  This often involves the consumption of alcohol.  However, what many young college students don’t seem to realize is that is possible to have fun without being hammered.

I am certainly not suggesting that a young woman should not go out and have a great time but rather that there is a time and a place for everything.  You should utilize your study abroad opportunity to discover new pursuits and interests which exist within your host country.  “When in Rome,” do as the locals do.  If the locals aren’t pounding shots then maybe the act should be saved for returning home, where it is much more culturally accepted.

Perhaps not the classiest possible representations of American women)

Remember it is hard to break first impressions.  There is always “that” girl in any study abroad group, the completely crazy girl that is constantly swimming through hoards of local men.  Trust me, you do not want to be that girl.  Besides, any guy you meet in this condition that is still attracted to you is not a guy that you want to be talking to anyway. 

Stereotypes are something that we all have to face when we study abroad.  Whether or not we opt to represent them accurately is a choice of our own.