Why Is Boy Math Trending? Let Girlies Decode It Through 'Girl Math'

Have you ever justified spending a little extra on your favourite brand of soap? Or have you written off any expenses made on your birthday as 'free'? Well, there's a word for this type of logic- 'girl math'.

On social media, the trend of 'girl math' went viral, with many women taking to platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram to share instances of when they've applied 'girl math' in their lives. 

Now, behold "boy math." Instead of finance or decadent spending, this craze is centred on joking about some of men's most ridiculous habits. 

Girl Math

The origin of the 'girl math' phenomenon as an internet trend can be traced back to TikTok user @samjamessssss, according to Indian Express. In a TikTok dated August 2, 2023, she explained how some women often rationalise their spending with a logic that makes sense to them only. The humorous video was the start of a long and viral trend, prompting other women to share how they justified their somewhat dubious spending habits.

Spending money before your salary hits so your bank balance basically stays the same is the girl math I adhere to

— zaidy 🐺 (@zaidyyy_) September 29, 2023

On today’s girl math, i bought rm25 worth of creampuffs, tonight someone purchased my item on carousell for rm22. I only spent rm3 on the creampuffs 🥰

— win (born bred hater) (@nrnnz4) September 27, 2023

Girl math : if I went to target and my total was $80 and I used $60 in cash and $20 on my card … then I only spent $20 . So tbh that was a steal lmaoooo https://t.co/smNaZT6V1z

— Sierra H 🖤 (@babyysierraaa) September 23, 2023

'Girl Math' didn't just apply to one's expenditure- in fact, it was applied to other parts of life as well. 

girl math is taking an entire shower just to wash your face because it’s easier

— ari (@AriannaDantone) September 28, 2023

Girl math is not taking pain meds when you have cramps to see how long you can take the pain for and if you take the meds it means you’re weak

— Aalia Wajar (@aalia_wajar) September 29, 2023

Girl math is packing 20 pairs of underwear for a weekend trip as if I’m gonna shit myself 3 times a day.

— MarieJualKondo 🇲🇾🌺 (@natashagideon) September 29, 2023

Boy Math

However, it wasn't long before men slowly began infiltrating the 'girl math' trend, making misogynistic jokes and further perpetuating stereotypes that women are emotional, overdramatic creatures that have no idea how to spend money. This takeover forced the trend to follow a strict binary- 'girl math' vs. 'boy math'.

In a fun move, the 'girlies' on X (formerly known as Twitter) reclaimed the tag back! Despite the misogynistic content from male users on 'girl math', women began turning it around, questioning the problematic nature of 'boy math' and keeping the trend lighthearted and funny as it was before. 

boy math is saying women are too emotional for positions of power and then punching holes in walls when ur mad

— bug girl (@buggirl) September 28, 2023

Boys doing girl math: "Women are so stupid omg"

Girls doing boy math: pic.twitter.com/WsVbbLlShX

— A•MIR the Absurdist (@metwithamiracle) September 26, 2023

Boy math is wanting a girl to be loyal to you while you’re fucking around with other girls

— bri ☻ (@brixalexiss) September 27, 2023

It does stand to be said that the whole 'girl math' vs. 'boy math' debate excludes people who do not fit in either category, whereas the original lighthearted 'girl math' trend was inclusive. No matter who you were, or what you felt your gender was, you could always rationalise something you did of dubious nature through 'girl math'.

Views expressed by the author are their own

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