The Super Bowl is one of my favorite times of the year, but not because of football. I sit on the couch, painfully enduring the game, as I patiently await the commercials. This year, one in particular caught my eye, one that emphasized the importance of gender equality.

The commercial showed middle-aged people being asked to complete actions “like a girl.” Instead of doing these actions naturally, the subjects haphazardly reenacted them. They ran, threw and fought in the stereotypical way a girl would be portrayed, acting as if they were fearful of breaking a nail. However, when young girls were asked to complete the same tasks, they threw, ran and fought with all their effort, a look of determination across their faces, just as anyone would if asked to throw “like a boy.”

Using the phrase “like a girl” as a derogatory term is an insult to girls of all ages. In reality, girls can do anything from teaching to bravely serving our country in the military.

When running across the battlefield, female soldiers do not flail their arms as the middle-aged subjects in the video did, nor do they stop to check themselves out in the mirror. Female firefighters do not worry about their appearances as they attempt to save the lives of people in a burning building.

So then why is it considered bad to do something “like a girl?”

Doing something “like a girl” is not a bad thing. In fact, it is just the opposite. Rather than telling people that doing things “like a girl” is weak, demeaning and stupid, we should be emphasizing its importance. Doing something “like a girl” is empowering, especially because females are frequently completing tasks despite barriers put in front of them.

Over the years, we have seen more women become doctors, lawyers and engineers, and we may soon see a female president, yet the phrase “like a girl” still has a negative connotation.

So maybe I do write “like a girl,” but that is nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps, a fresh female perspective is something we all need.