Some words and phrases don’t need explanations—they’re self-defining. Take, for instance, put down. It means making someone feel small, insignificant, and unimportant. How often have you heard phrases or words that put girls down? Even if you and your friends aren’t using them, take a look at our culture. Some of the most-played songs are filled with lyrics that are disrespectful to girls and women. Plenty of popular shows and movies try to be funny by putting girls down. Think about what you’ve heard around you at school, at practice, or at the park. Because boys hear these things all the time, they think it’s no big deal. But the words you use say a lot about who you are and what you believe.

Show that you respect girls and believe in gender equity by daring to not use any language that disrespects girls. And every time you hear something negative being said about a girl, counter it with two positive things or say “That’s not cool.”