Behavioral phenomenon of young ladies – 03/30/2024 – Balance

Each generation has its own particularities, but there are certain behaviors that can intersect. The phenomenon of young ladies affects millennials and generation Z. These are women who leave clubs aside and prefer home activities or bars that always have somewhere to sit.

The expression “young lady” was born on the internet and is now a form of description for those who chose a lifestyle that would be considered that of an older person, in another era. This movement also shows that there is an appreciation for health and well-being, considering physical, emotional, mental and environmental aspects, and manual activities, such as embroidery, crochet and cooking.

Editor Isabela Borrelli, 30, considered herself a lady even before that term was popularized. “I’ve always had some interests that are more associated with this idea of ​​a lady or a grandmother,” she says.

“A few years ago, I started doing crafts, I learned crochet on YouTube and it was something I loved. I’ve also always been a very tired person, since I was a teenager. I never really liked nightlife. I really like going to bed early and waking up about 6 hours. I can watch the sun rise, pass the coffee, crochet while watching something or reading a book”, he says.

“With the help of social discovery and TikTok tutorials, 35% of US and UK Gen Z report an interest in cooking, up from 21% in 2019. This generation is increasingly paying attention to what they eat and what bebe”, says Vitor Coelho, trends specialist at WGSN América Latina, a leading company in behavior and consumption trends.

The zeal for well-being is also linked to new consumption patterns and lifestyle linked to what this society chooses to eat and drink. Even though a sedentary lifestyle has emerged during and after the Covid pandemic, there is a conflict over well-being and excessive time at home, which ends up causing people to exercise less.

“In practical terms, we see a decrease in alcohol intake, a redefinition of home-cooked eating (which involves the idea of ​​easy and creative preparation), the growth of snacks and conscious consumption, both of products with sustainable seals and those for diets. restrictive”, adds Coelho.

“I consider myself a young lady because I don’t usually practice the same activities or go to the same places as people my age. I don’t go to bars, clubs and I don’t drink”, says Mariane Silva, 31, graphic designer.

The group of young ladies increased the number of followers after the pandemic, when a social and behavioral change was seen, say experts Vanessa Amorim, psychologist, focusing on cognitive-behavioral therapy, and Simone Jorge, doctor in Social Sciences and university professor .

Such transformations are also influenced by economic difficulties: part of the generation over 30 lives in their parents’ house, where they can save money and have a comfortable life.

“This movement began in 2008 with the economic crisis. We are experiencing a generational crisis in which our parents, our grandparents, had an easier time economically being able to buy a property, to pay for their own university, and that was getting increasingly difficult. This breaks out during the pandemic”, points out psychologist Vanessa Amorim.

To keep up with this change, there are nightclubs that have adapted to this. In London, there’s a party called Before Midnight [antes da meia-noite, em português], organized by DJ Annie Mac, which starts early and ends around midnight. It’s a party experience for those who prefer to get home early, be it young ladies or anyone looking for a good night’s sleep.

“I prefer outings that aren’t all-nighters, mainly because I have to take public transport. I get tired quickly of things and social interactions, so I prefer that I can leave soon”, says Luisa Marcelino, 23, editorial designer. Marcelino also highlights the importance of having a place to sit and something to eat in the places he frequents.

The designer also says that her favorite places to hang out are friends’ houses, parks or restaurants. “A place that doesn’t have a lot of loud music. I prefer a place that is quieter, more peaceful to talk and such, because I prefer to talk than dance.”

Mariane Santos signs below, opting to go to more intimate places that always have somewhere to sit. She mentions that this concept of a young lady also relates to her hobbies.

“I like doing manual activities, like embroidery, taking advantage of the peace at home so I can watch films, series, enjoy the comfort of home. Even though I haven’t been reading much lately, it’s something I really like to do, especially in silence, It’s something that helps with my concentration, even more so after the pandemic.”

Isabela Borrelli says she is the person who will reject any role that requires standing for hours. She only makes exceptions for some shows, but says she always carries pain medication in her bag. “If I don’t have a place to sit, I’ll get lower back pain, it’s very unpleasant, I don’t like it,” says the editor. The same goes for excess alcohol.

Alcoholic beverages were never something that Borrelli enjoyed much, as they interfere with his physical exercise routine and lifestyle, which prioritizes calm and healthy activities, such as waking up early and exercising regularly.

Mariane Santos says that despite there being greater acceptance nowadays, there are still people who treat their lifestyle with a certain disdain, generating judgments and questions about their personality. Although there are sobriety movements and a reduction in drinking, the stigma persists.

Furthermore, there is a discussion about the identity of the “young ladies”, reflects sociologist Simone Jorge. Because there is a certain ageism when we define that only young people go to clubs and consume alcohol uncontrollably. This phenomenon reflects a change in perceptions about freedom and autonomy, which also requires a search for a balance between the comfort of home and the need for social interaction and personal care.

“I really believe that, today, there is this search for wanting more comfortable things. Access to the internet also brings a certain convenience. People, especially younger people, who were born during this advance in the means of communication, have the comfort of having everything in your hands. You watch shows, films, you can do different things sitting on the sofa at home, without having to go through the trouble of looking for new experiences, looking for different things”, reflects the sociologist.

Another side observed by psychologist Vanessa Amorim is that the pandemic brought social phobia, a sedentary lifestyle and relationship difficulties due to isolation and dependence on technology — something that takes on even more weight for those who are introverted. These behaviors reflect significant changes in the way young people view life, seeking healthier and more conscious alternatives for leisure and social life.

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