Why Netflix’s Wednesday Addams Is Actually a Good Role Model for Girls
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Don't sound so surprised. The image of a perfect, polite, smiling little girl as a model of the ideal daughter is long gone. Who wants their daughter who morphs into whatever society wants her to be? Not us.
We want daughters like Wednesday. (With less of an affinity for the macabre, hopefully.) She's tough, confident and has more integrity and grit than all her teachers combined. Here are 10 more reasons why girls should be taking notes from our favorite, dark day of the week.
She Isn't Obsessed With Technology
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The weirdest thing about Wednesday Addams compared to most teens is that she doesn't even own a phone until a friend gives her one in the last episode of season one. Social media? What's that? Being on social media isn't all bad, but smartphone addiction is a thing, too.
Wednesday has so many interests outside of whatever's trending in pop culture, and it's refreshing. In addition to a list of rather disturbing hobbies, she's an accomplished cellist. Kids, take note. Being a music nerd isn't lame, it's actually super cool.
Wednesday Is Her Own Person
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That's the understatement of the century. Wednesday is nothing like her peers, and she's OK with that. She doesn't try to fit in. The people around her have an option: Accept her as she is, or leave. Die is more realistic given her murderous tendencies, but we're advocating for self-confidence, not encouraging a life of crime.
Wednesday has a dark personality, but she isn't mean. She's very caring in her own way, and the right friends are able to see that. Don't waste your time trying to fit in with people who don't like you as you are. Wait until someone sees the real you and thinks it's awesome.
She Rocks an Unconventional Style
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Wednesday wears black, always. She's turned into an overnight gothic-style icon, and that's because she's not wearing what everyone else is. Wednesday wears what she wants to, and her friend and roommate Enid is just as good of an example.
The two of them have polar opposite styles, but they both are confident enough to wear what they like, even if no one else thinks it's cool. Keep rockin' those snoods, Enid.
She's Not Afraid to Defy Authority
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Wednesday from Netflix does not care about the name plate on your desk. Titles don't mean jack. While grownups do know best, there are always exceptions. Not every person in power, whether that's your boss or the school principal, has your best interests in mind. Wednesday trusts her instincts. If something feels wrong, she trusts that, rather than complacently following orders.
Kids shouldn't go around disrespecting their teachers and parents, but respect goes in both directions, and it has to be earned. If you see someone behaving in a way you know is wrong, don't go along with it just because they're an authority figure.
Or to Break Rules If It's for a Good Reason
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Again, rules are made for a reason. There are times when rules should be broken, and while Wednesday breaks them rather liberally, we love that she doesn't follow rules like a mindless sheep. If she had followed the rules, the entire school would have been murdered by a psychopathic, undead pilgrim.
If breaking a rule is required to protect yourself or others, or simply to stand up for what's right, go right ahead. Hopefully, the adults in your life, particularly other women, will have your back.
She Doesn't Get Along With Her Mom, but She Respects Her
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Having a perfect relationship with your mom during the teen years is unlikely. Some amount of maternal angst is all but guaranteed. It's normal. Some girls rebel in a destructive (or self-destructive) way, but not Wednesday.
Wednesday expresses her disdain for some of her mother's choices, and she actively fights to break out of the shadow of her mother's impressive legacy, but she still sticks up for her when it counts. She also is willing to hear her mother out, even if it involves some spying and sneaking around first.
She's a Good Big Sister
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As Wednesday puts it, "The only person who gets to torture my brother is me."
She's not warm and fuzzy with Pugsley, but we pity the fool who messes with him. She thinks of him even when she's miles away at a boarding school and goes out of her way to make sure he's OK in her absence. Siblings don't have to get along to take care of each other.
She Shows Up for People
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Man, does Wednesday show up for people. After some jocks shut Pugsley in a locker, Wednesday didn't hesitate to exact revenge. Throughout the first season, Wednesday runs into danger to protect family, friends and classmates, even ones she doesn't particularly like. She is committed to truth.
Once Wednesday figures out you're on the side of good, she'll put her life on the line to get you out of trouble, even if you annoy her beyond belief.
She Learns From Her Mistakes
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Wednesday Addams is stubborn as a mule, but when she realizes she misjudged someone, she's not too proud to change her mind — even if the person she misjudged was herself. For example, at the start of the series, she thinks she doesn't need anyone but herself. She works alone and doesn't hesitate to use people who care about her if it means getting closer to achieving her goals. Her goals are to uncover the truth and keep everyone alive, but still.
By the end of season one, Wednesday realizes that her friends, even the ones who like bright colors or have a weird love of beekeeping, are tougher, more loyal and more valuable than she knew. She begrudgingly admits that she does need people.
She Knows Her Own Worth
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Wednesday knows she's smart, perceptive, talented, beautiful and has qualities no one else brings to the table. She doesn't make herself smaller to make anyone comfortable. She doesn't try to impress people because she knows she's already impressive as she is. Forget being a role model for girls. Wednesday is a role model for everyone.
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