I’m a radical feminist in college. Here’s what I’ve noticed about college girls.

Five Observations About College Women

Paris Mwendwa, a radical feminist who recently moved to UCLA, shares five personal observations about women on campus. She argues that online stereotypes can misrepresent their lives and reinforce sexist ideas that women’s education and independence matter less than marriage or domestic roles. Her comments are based on what she has seen and heard, not a claim about every college student.

1. Bras are often optional. Mwendwa says many students go without bras. She interprets this as a rejection of uncomfortable clothing and of expectations that women should make their bodies more appealing or “presentable” to others.

2. Many women are single. Mwendwa expected relationships and sexual experience to be the norm, but says most women she meets are not dating. She links this partly to young women’s dissatisfaction with men and the broader dating climate, while noting that many still want romance.

3. Going out does not necessarily mean hooking up. Women party and socialize, she says, but often with friends rather than to pursue sex. She also finds drinking less common than she expected. In her view, many women are investing in school, friendships, community, and future plans instead of making men a priority.

4. Her impressions of Greek life differ from common stereotypes. Mwendwa describes sorority women as welcoming and personable, and argues that sisterhood, community involvement, and alumni networks reward those qualities. By contrast, she characterizes fraternity culture as more insular and says women often describe fraternity houses as unpleasant. She also argues that communication and relationship skills matter for success, challenging the idealization of the brilliant but socially disengaged male student.

5. Campus women are generally liberal. Mwendwa says liberal views are socially prevalent among the students she encounters, while some right-leaning students seem hesitant to express their beliefs openly. She sees young women’s political outlook as connected to choices such as prioritizing female friendships and opting out of dating.

Mwendwa briefly suggests that trends such as thinness, smaller breasts, and regret over tattoos may reflect changing expectations for women to take up less space, but leaves that topic for another discussion.

Presenter: Paris Mwendwa