Breaking Stereotypes: Why Women Over 50 Are The Future Of Business

Business News

Do you think that entrepreneurship is a young person’s game? Think again because that stereotype is dated. There is a growing trend of women over 50 starting businesses and it’s exciting! And there’s good reason for that: women over 50 are uniquely positioned to drive the future of business.

Women are starting businesses at an unprecedented rate, and in fact, data shows that of the women starting new businesses, Gen X women are leading the way. There are many reasons why women aged 50 plus would choose now to start a business, including being in a better financial position, they have accumulated life and career experience, and they are feeling ready for a change but not ready to retire.

Women over 50 bring a unique and invaluable set of advantages to the business world that position them for success, such as:

1. Experience: With decades of experience, they possess deep industry knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills honed over years of navigating professional and personal challenges.

2. Networks: Their well-established networks offer a strong foundation of connections, mentors, and partnerships, giving them access to opportunities and resources that younger entrepreneurs often lack.
3. Financial savviness: Their financial savviness allows them to make smarter money decisions, manage risks, and build sustainable business models without chasing short-term gains.

4. Confidence and resilience: Their confidence and resilience, developed through overcoming setbacks and life’s complexities, give them a steady hand in business, enabling them to face uncertainty with courage and persistence.

These strengths combined make women over 50 not only capable but also powerfully positioned to lead thriving businesses.
Challenging Ageism and Sexism

It’s often assumed that innovation and entrepreneurship is for younger people, fueled by the tech startup culture that celebrates youthful founders. However, women over 50 bring unique strengths to business as well. There are women in this age group launching ground breaking businesses in areas of femtech, AI, and fintech to name a few, proving that innovation is tied to experience and perspective.
The outdated perception that older women are less innovative or capable is increasingly being dismantled by a new wave of female entrepreneurs over 50 who are redefining success. Far from being a liability, their age equips them with decades of experience, resilience, and wisdom; qualities that drive innovation and fuel sustainable businesses.
These trailblazing women serve as powerful role models, proving to younger generations that it’s never too late to pursue bold ambitions. Icons like Arianna Huffington and Vera Wang inspire cultural narratives that celebrate reinvention and lifelong potential.
However, to fully harness the potential of this demographic, advocacy is essential. Policies and programs that support women over 50, such as targeted funding initiatives, accessible mentorship programs, and retraining opportunities, can break down systemic barriers. By challenging stereotypes, uplifting role models, and advocating for equitable opportunities, we can ensure women over 50 continue to transform the entrepreneurial landscape.
As the population ages and people are living longer, women over 50 are redefining what success looks like.
The Ripple Effect of Their Success
The success of women over 50 doesn’t just benefit them; it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and boost economies, and here’s how:

Driving the economy: Through job creation, contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP), and the reinvestment of profits into their businesses, local economies, and employees, this ripple effect strengthens the financial fabric of their communities.
Building generational wealth: through profitable businesses women are building assets that provide financial security for themselves and their families. This allows women to break cycles of financial instability and setting a strong example for the younger generation and showing them what is possible.
Strengthening communities: These women often become pillars of their communities and create space where others can thrive by giving back, offering leadership and mentorship, and partnering with local businesses to create an ecosystem where everyone benefits.

As more women over 50 enter the entrepreneurial space they create a broader ripple effect through shifting cultural norms, inspiring confidence in others, and changing the narratives.
The bottom line is that for these reasons and so many others, women over 50 are the future of business. Their experience, resilience, and vision are driving innovation and growth, while their success challenges outdated stereotypes and inspires future generations. It’s an exciting time for women as we collectively prove that the future is not just female; it’s powerful, capable, and unstoppable.

Revealed: How Gun Dealers Stay in Business after Losing Licenses

Business News

Eagle Sports Range, a gun store and shooting range in suburban Oak City near Chicago, says it offers the “best selection of products from the firearms and shooting sports industry” and provides training and education to “produce better shooters and a better, safer community.”This is the same Eagle Sports Range that in 2022 had its license revoked after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said it had “willfully violated” federal firearms rules, including by transferring a firearm to a prohibited person.It’s operational now under the same family’s management and at the same address. How? All it did was get a new license.A Newsweek analysis of the most recent data found that at least three gun dealers including those who run Eagle Sports Range had kept their stores open or opened new stores after their licenses had been revoked by the ATF.This is not illegal, but gun law experts say it shows a glaring gap in federal regulation and enforcement.The United States has one of the world’s highest rates of firearms deaths outside a war zone. Concerns about gun safety came to the fore yet again this week following the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin, in which a teacher and student died as well as the shooter, Natalie Rupnow.According to latest available data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48,830 people died from gun-related injuries in the U.S. in 2021, including nearly 21,000 homicides as well as more than 26,000 suicides.Though the debate continues over gun control, experts told Newsweek that cases like that of Eagle Sports Range show that tougher regulations don’t matter if they aren’t enforced.”The ATF has never had enough agents to enforce its rules and depending on what party controls the White House no real intention to enforce the rules, so it’s no surprise,” said David Rosenbloom, a professor of public health at the Boston University School of Public Health who studies gun violence.

Firearms are displayed at a gun shop in Salem, Oregon, on February 19, 2021. A Newsweek investigation has revealed that gun dealers remain in business despite enforcement action from regulators.
Firearms are displayed at a gun shop in Salem, Oregon, on February 19, 2021. A Newsweek investigation has revealed that gun dealers remain in business despite enforcement action from regulators.
AP Photo/Andrew Selsky, File
How Eagle Sports Range Lost and Regained Its LicenseEagle Sports Range is housed in a modern standalone building opposite a golf course and between a car dealership and a pancake restaurant in Oak Forest, a 30-minute drive from downtown Chicago—when there is no traffic. Oak Forest crime rates are much lower than in more central parts of the city.In revoking Eagle Sports Range’s license, with the report saying the decision was effective May 2022, the ATF reprimanded the store’s owners for transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, failing to conduct checks and recording false information on forms. It was also fined $8,831.On May 31, 2022, according to a City of Chicago claim filed on July 22, 2024, against several entities, including Eagle Sports Range, the store’s managing partner transferred Eagle Sports Range’s firearms inventory to a successor entity, called Range Plus LLC, also a defendant in the same claim.Business incorporation data and license information lists the owner of Range Plus LLC as an individual who the complaint says is a relative of Eagle Sports Range’s original managing partner. The incorporation data also says Eagle Sports Range was Range Plus LLC’s previous name.The claim said: “Within three days of Eagle Sports Range receiving its revocation notice, a 25-year-old relative of the owner filed articles of incorporation for a new company that would run the exact same gun store, at the exact same location, using the same inventory, while employing much of the same staff. The net result was that the law-breaking gun store that the ATF ‘shut down’ in 2022 continued operations, without apparently missing a single day of business.”The claim is against six parties, one of which is the gun brand Glock and two Chicago gun stores that sell Glocks, Eagle Sports Range and Midwest Sporting Goods. Through the suit, the City of Chicago seeks a court order requiring defendants to stop selling and marketing Glock pistols that can be easily converted to fully automatic fire with a device called an auto sear.Eagle Sports Range, which has not broken the law by obtaining a new license, did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comment.The ATF denied that there was a loophole for gun dealers to get new licenses after previous ones had been revoked, though Kristina Mastropasqua, its chief spokesperson, would not comment on specific cases or inspections.”ATF conducts thorough qualifications inspections for all Federal Firearms License applicants,” she said. “When applying for a Federal Firearms License (‘FFL’), applicants may be denied if they fail to comply with State or local law (such as zoning ordinances), if there is evidence of previous willful violations of the Gun Control Act, or if they do not provide accurate information on their application.”There is no ‘loophole’ for FFL applicants who have previously had their federal firearms license revoked. Applicants that ATF determines previously held a license and were revoked are exceptionally scrutinized to ensure willful violators of the Gun Control Act are not issued a new license.”The Eagle Sports Range owners also opened a second store. An ATF application for a license called A to Z Armory LLC seen by Newsweek was filed by Eagle Sports Range’s original managing partner in March 2021. The license application and a June 2021 ATF report of firearms inspection also names individuals named in a 2018 ATF report about Eagle Sports Range as organizers of the A to Z Armory LLC license. The report said the trading name of the federal firearms licensed business was Eagle Sports Range.It’s Not The Only OneArticle II proudly advertises itself as “The gun range with a gun store inside!”Like Eagle Sports Range, its owner had a license revoked only to continue in business.Article II in Lombard, Illinois, is owned and operated by the previous owner of Article II Gun Shop (D/B/A Gun World) in Bensenville, Illinois, whose license was revoked by ATF in 2006, according to a 2014 firearms inspection report of another store independent from Article II but located in the same place. This individual is still listed as the Article II Lombard store’s owner on its website.Article II did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comment.Ron & Jo’s Firearms & Sporting Supplies in O’Fallon, Illinois, which was formed in 1999, had its license revoked effective February 23, 2015, having previously committed nine violations of federal gun law, including failing to conduct background checks on a redacted number of occasions before transferring firearms, an ATF report shows, and failing to report the theft or loss of firearms from their inventory. These ATF records also show that two people held the license.The decision to revoke the license was challenged in a hearing held on April 23, 2015, but the revocation was maintained, an ATF letter dated June 29, 2015, shows.A similar store remained open. In April 2018, the ATF inspected a store with the same address, called Ron & Jo’s Firearms & Sporting Supplies II, Inc. It found that it had two violations of regulations, failure to record firearms inventory information and sales reports. This was an inspection report and did not revoke the store’s license. The report acknowledged the ATF was aware that the owners had set up a new store.It said: “This is the first DE [disposition emphasis, a type of inspection the ATF makes on licensees they deem to be of high-risk of violating federal firearms laws or being exploited by criminals] inspection of this licensee since this license was under the name of Ron & Jo’s Firearms & Sporting Supplies Inc. 3-37-00098 was revoked 772070-2014-0153 and the new FFL 3-37-04663 was issued.”The numbers refer to the license names of the original store which was revoked and the license of a new store which was granted by the ATF. One of the two license holders, a married couple, was told to attend a meeting to discuss future compliance to the regulations. Website information indicates that the store is still open to this day and annual reports show it moved to a different address in the same area in 2024 with the same listed president and director.This individual was interviewed by local press in 2023, where he was described as the president of Ron & Jo’s Firearms & sporting Supplies.The store did not respond to Newsweek’s request for comment.What Happens If A Gun Store Gives Up Its License?Stores can also voluntarily discontinue their licenses when it has been determined by the ATF that there has been a violation of federal law. In these instances, the ATF does not publish inspection reports—meaning it is not always clear why a dealer shuts up shop.License holders in this category are gun stores that have received a letter or revocation from the ATF after it found willful gun law violations. This does not mean the store’s license would have definitely been revoked, as stores can challenge an ATF decision through hearings.Newsweek found five other gun stores across the United States of this ilk that had acquired new licenses after having voluntarily given them up.Grant Reeher, a professor of political science at Syracuse University in New York, said that when gun dealers get new licenses, when they lose or expect to lose their old ones, they “seem to violate the spirit of the law.””I’d think that the ATF would have records of these inspections, especially when the FFL fails, and perhaps follow-up visits and inspections can be built into its standard practice,” Reeher told Newsweek.What The ATF Can DoNevertheless, the ATF has previously challenged licensees who have attempted to open new businesses. On September 30, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the fifth circuit upheld the decision issued by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, where the regulator denied Texas group Crusader Gun Group LLC’s application for a FFL in 2022.Crusader applied for an license in 2020 but the ATF found the individual listed as Crusader’s president and the “responsible person” for its firearms business had been responsible for three other licenses that were no longer in business and has violated federal firearms laws including failing to report the theft or loss of more than 200 firearms and the possession of unlawful machineguns.The ATF denied the application for the new FFL on these grounds and Crusader petitioned for judicial review. The court decided that the ATF’s denial was lawful and the Court of Appeals upheld this decision.In June 2021, President Joe Biden bolstered the ATF’s powers by signing an executive order mandating the ATF to implement a zero-tolerance policy towards dealers who willfully break any of the most serious violations of the Gun Control Act.The order also made public a list of dealers whose license the ATF revokes, and dealers that voluntarily discontinue their store’s licenses following an inspection in which the ATF found gun law violations. Inspection and revocation reports had, until that point, been private.In the fiscal year 2024, the ATF revoked 195 licenses and in 2023 they revoked 173, according to The Trace. It has not yet published detailed data for those years.Some legislators are seeking to further strengthen the power of the ATF.On March, 9, 2023, Illinois Democratic Representative Robin Kelly introduced the Federal Firearm Licensee Act to Congress to establish new requirements, including broadening the ATF’s authority to investigate violations, increasing penalties for violations and denying licensee applications. The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary but has not yet been considered. In November 2024, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, also an Illinois Democrat, introduced similar legislation to the Senate.On a state level, 27 states and the District of Columbia have laws regulating firearms dealers. There are 17 states that also require firearms dealers to have a state-issued license to sell firearms, according to Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.Reeher added that the ATF could do more to catch previously unlicensed gun dealers.”It’s not like these are individual gun owners; they are dealers,” he said. “That’s in the spirit of ‘red flag’ laws [meaning laws that permit state courts to order the temporary seizure of firearms from people they believe could be dangerous] for individuals, which have become more popular and accepted in recent years.”

Binding the inkjet future: Short-run book production in India

Arts & Culture, Books

As the demand for short-run book printing surges in India, new bookbinding technologies are bridging the gap between customisation, efficiency, and sustainability. P Sajith, managing director at Bindwel, discusses how advanced solutions are redefining the diverse needs of publishersThe demand for short-run book printing in India has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the rise of digital platforms and eCommerce. This shift caters to diverse needs across self-publishing, corporate manuals, and educational materials, with newer segments such as “self-publishing academic institutions” adding further momentum.

Straits Research shows India’s print-on-demand market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.8% between 2023 and 2031. However, P Sajith, managing director at Bindwel, argues that this projection might underestimate the sector’s potential. “Given the low base we are starting from, the actual growth might be much faster. Short runs of 50–1,000 copies and micro runs of fewer than 50 copies are becoming the norm,” he observes.

As the focus shifts towards customisation and on-demand production, the transition from traditional sheetfed printing to inkjet technology is accelerating. In all this, inkjet printing is being recognised for its ability to meet the demands of short-run printing. Sajith points out that “customisation is now a key driver, with inkjet making it easier to deliver personalised content.” He adds that the technology eliminates plate-making and set-up costs, which reduces expenses for small-batch production. Furthermore, print-on-demand capabilities mean there is no need to stockpile books, eliminating storage costs and the risk of waste from overproduction. “The faster turnarounds offered by inkjet align perfectly with the dynamic nature of today’s publishing industry,” Sajith notes.

Overcoming bookbinding challenges

Despite advancements in bookbinding techniques, the processes associated with short-run projects face distinct challenges. Traditional techniques are often ill-equipped to handle the variability in book sizes and formats required for short-run production. Frequent job changeovers can lead to inefficiencies, while higher wastage levels become particularly problematic for smaller runs. Also, there is the issue of integrity checks, such as ensuring the correct covers are paired with their respective book blocks. Sajith elaborates, “Imagine a short-run book printer managing 25 titles in a single day. If the binder takes 15–20 minutes to change from one job to another, that’s an entire shift lost to changeovers. Binding systems must evolve to enable changeovers in under a minute to keep pace with demand.”

Modern binding solutions are beginning to address these issues by offering greater integration with inkjet printing workflows. Advances now allow signatures to be processed as cut sheets or with minimal folding, streamlining binding operations. Enhanced automation ensures accurate job understanding and format alignment, reducing errors and downtime. According to Sajith, “The binding system—whether inline or offline—must be capable of adapting to the fast-paced requirements of short-run projects. The ability to seamlessly switch between jobs in minimal time is critical.”

Inkjet printing technology has made strides in improving its compatibility with bookbinding. High-resolution output, precision ink application, and improved compatibility with a range of substrates ensure that the prints are durable and vibrant, making them ideal for high-quality binding. “The reduction in consumables costs has also made inkjet printing more accessible and viable for many businesses,” Sajith notes.

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, inkjet technology holds an edge for runs under 1,000 copies due to its lower set-up costs and faster changeovers. However, offset printing remains more economical for larger volumes. Sajith recommends a hybrid approach, saying, “Combining inkjet for short runs with offset for high-volume projects allows publishers to optimise production costs while maintaining quality across various scales.”

The return on investment for adopting modern bookbinding solutions is another factor driving their adoption. Faster turnarounds, reduced waste, and lower inventory requirements translate into clear financial benefits. Additionally, the ability to customise products opens doors to niche markets such as self-publishing and educational institutions. “Investing in modern binding systems isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about creating new opportunities and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market,” Sajith explains.

Emerging bookbinding technologies

With the increasing demand for short-run book printing in India, there is a growing need for systems that enable rapid transitions between different run lengths and automate adjustments for various book formats.

According to Sajith, advanced systems like Bindwel’s Freedom 2K and Insta One-Book models are specifically designed to address these requirements. “With these solutions, print service providers can seamlessly adapt to the fast-changing requirements of short-run and on-demand printing,” Sajith explains.

Bindwel’s Insta

While Bindwel is the only India-based manufacturer of bookbinding equipment for short-run and on-demand solutions globally, solutions from Horizon, Muller Martini, and Meccanotecnica are also available.

Sajith announces that Bindwel is set to introduce the Trimit 30C SRT, a new trimming system aimed at enhancing on-demand book production. He remarks that this represents a significant advancement in efficiency: “This solution will enable precise trimming of books on demand, thereby improving the workflow for inkjet-printed books.”

Bindwel’s Trimit 30C SRT

The integration of automation in these systems not only streamlines production but also enhances scalability. Sajith notes that Bindwel’s Freedom 2K is ideally suited for short runs starting from 10 copies, while the Insta model is tailored for micro runs, including one-off projects. “These machines are built with the future of short-run printing in mind, where flexibility and precision are paramount,” he adds.

Importance of quality and automation

While speed and adaptability are crucial, the quality of bookbinding remains a cornerstone for ensuring professional standards in short-run printing. Sajith highlights the role of careful planning in maintaining quality, emphasising factors like grain direction, adhesive strength, and precision trimming. “The grain direction should always be parallel to the spine for both the inside pages and the cover to prevent warping,” he explains. Additionally, new-generation adhesives such as PO [full form] and polyurethane reactive (PUR) grades provide the durability required for modern binding.

Precision trimming is another critical aspect, especially when dealing with varied formats. Sajith points out that automated systems like Bindwel’s Trimit 30C SRT and Freedom 2K ensure consistency in spine preparation and adhesive application, which are essential for maintaining a professional finish. “Our technology is designed to integrate seamlessly with digital workflows, making it easier to meet the exacting standards of short-run and on-demand printing,” he says.

Automation also plays a pivotal role in addressing the growing demand for customisation. Features like quick job changeovers, QR code integration for personalised orders, and high-speed binding are key to meeting the requirements of short-run projects. “Automation is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity,” Sajith emphasises. “With Bindwel’s Insta model, for instance, micro runs and one-off books can be produced efficiently without compromising on quality.”

Team Bindwel

From five to 5,000 copies

Bindwel’s Freedom 2K stands out as a versatile solution for short-run printers, offering seamless transitions across run lengths ranging from as few as five copies to as many as 5,000. According to Sajith, advanced automation makes this capability possible, including job-switching and size adjustments. “The Freedom 2K minimises downtime while supporting diverse project requirements, which is crucial for short-run printers,” he explains. The system also includes a thickness measurement device, providing an additional layer of quality assurance by detecting variations in paper bulk or GSM. Sajith adds, “This feature complements the metadata checks, ensuring precision and consistency.”

The machine is already operational in two leading Indian print facilities, SAP Print Solutions in Mumbai and Saurabh Printopack in Noida. “At SAP, the Freedom 2K handles loose leaves, while at Saurabh, it processes folded signatures, showcasing its adaptability across different workflows,” Sajith notes.

For micro runs and highly personalised projects, Bindwel’s Insta One-Book model offers unparalleled flexibility. Capable of producing up to 1,000 books per hour, each uniquely customised, the Insta integrates seamlessly with modern inkjet workflows. Sajith highlights the use of QR code reading for both the book block and the cover, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. “This capability makes Insta an ideal solution for on-demand printing, where every book can be different,” he says.

Sustainability and hybrid production

Bindwel’s innovations are not limited to production efficiency but align with the industry’s growing focus on sustainability and cost optimisation. The Trimit 30C Freedom SRT exemplifies this commitment with its adaptive knife movement and precision cutting, which reduce errors and waste. “Features like these are critical for maintaining a professional finish in short and micro runs while minimising material wastage,” Sajith explains.

Bindwel also promotes a hybrid production model, combining offset printing for high-demand titles with digital solutions for niche and short-run projects. Sajith underscores the advantages of this approach, saying, “Our hybrid model optimises costs and minimises waste while meeting the diverse needs of Indian publishers and self-publishers. The Freedom 2K, paired with the Trimit 30C SRT trimmer, is ideally suited for such applications.”

Sustainability remains a key focus for Bindwel, with solutions designed to reduce overproduction and optimise resource usage. Machines like the Insta and Freedom 2K enable just-in-time production, helping minimise inventory holding costs and material waste. Sajith concludes, “Our approach ensures that only the required quantity is printed and bound, contributing to both environmental goals and operational efficiency.”

With the evolution of the Indian printing industry, Bindwel’s bookbinding technologies are set to revolutionise the sector by providing scalable, sustainable, and affordable solutions that meet the needs of contemporary publishing.

‘Dumb and Dumber’ director to film movie in Wilmington

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

(This story was updated to add new information.)A feature film with some big names attached is set to begin filming in Wilmington early next year.”Driver’s Ed,” about teenagers who take their high school’s driver-education car on an illegal road trip to visit the college-freshman girlfriend of one of their cohorts, is set to be directed by Bobby Farrelly, who with his brother, Peter, co-directed such ’90s comedy classics as “Dumb & Dumber,” “Kingpin” and “There’s Something About Mary.””Driver’s Ed” will be co-produced by Wilmington resident Jonas Pate, best-known as a co-creator of Netflix hit “Outer Banks.””We’re all excited,” Pate said. “Bobby is such a lovely dude.”Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.Pate said pre-production on “Driver’s Ed” will start in January, with filming commencing in February.Also co-producing is Pate’s wife, Jennifer Pate, who with her husband is a co-producer of upcoming Prime Video series “The Runarounds,” which recently wrapped filming in Wilmington.With his twin brother, Joshua, Jonas Pate is a co-creator of “The Runarounds.” It’s about a young rock band trying to make it big. He said “Driver’s Ed” will use much of the same crew as “The Runarounds” and “Outer Banks.””We’re just trying to find a way to keep them all together,” Pate said.

‘Girls Will Be Girls’ Movie Ending Explained & Summary: What Does The Key Mean?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

In Girls Will Be Girls, every scene feels like an introspective journey into our collective high school experience. Sure, we’re not all Mira, but we’ve all had at least a sliver of Mira’s experiences as a student in school with a drive to do better for yourself. More importantly, the film focuses on the central mother-daughter relationship and how it changes over time when there’s a new number in the equation, a boy. Mira is a 16-year-old girl who seems to have it all. She’s intelligent, she’s the first female head prefect at her boarding school, and she’s quite popular, well, at least with her teachers, but Mira’s soon going to experience something new, something she believes she’s never felt before: “love.” With this, her life changes drastically, but why? And what happens between Mira and Sri? Let’s find out in the detailed summary and explanation of Girls Will Be Girls.

Spoiler Alert

What Happens Between Sri And Mira? 

Sri is the most charming boy you’ll ever meet. He might not be super intelligent, but he’s definitely smart and knows exactly how to get what he wants out of anyone. He calls this their “key,” but we’ll get to that a bit later. Mira isn’t a naive girl; she’s certainly cautious, but she’s also eager to try new things. She’s keen on having experiences and isn’t afraid to step out of her bubble to do so. Sri charms his way into Mira’s life like a snail. It’s slow, but suddenly he’s right there, and she’s completely taken by him. You can’t really say he’s a bad influence on her, but he does push her to do things she would otherwise never do. Before you know it, Mira’s head over heels for Sri. One night, Mira’s mum picks up the phone and realizes a boy wants to talk to Mira. Instead of stopping her from seeing the guy, she tries to get her daughter to trust her and decides there’s no other way than to meet him herself. 

We already know Sri’s quite the charmer, so it’s no surprise when he immediately gets Mira’s mom to like him so that they can hang out more, you know, under the pretense of studying together. Mira’s relationship with her mom is typically adolescent. It’s neither super sweet nor is it completely unhinged. There are moments of quiet, and then there’s rage. Mira wants to be close to her mother, but she’s also afraid of her judgment. While on the surface it seems this movie is about Mira and Sri’s relationship, it’s in fact about Mira’s relationship with herself, but more importantly about how that’s affected by her relationship with her mother. 

Soon Sri’s visits become more common, and Mira’s boundaries get pushed further. At the same time, her mother starts to like Sri too and is happy to cook for him and invite him over because the poor guy doesn’t have a great relationship with his parents. Mira’s mum buys her a cute-looking skort, which she’s really eager to wear when Sri’s around. I think it is in the moment that Mira, Sri, and her mum dance together that the entire atmosphere of the film changes. In this moment, Mira starts to realize that her mum’s a woman such as herself and may have some desires too. I guess she starts to see her as a competitor rather than a figure who can help her tell right from wrong. She starts to lose respect for her because of that. It’s not that Mira hates her mother; neither does she think she’s in love with Sri; she just feels a pang inside, a hunch, so to speak, that something isn’t right in this dynamic. 

Maybe this is what pushes her to challenge or betray her mother’s trust. While up until this point, Mira’s been exploring her sexuality, she decides to explore with Sri after this dancing situation. She lies to her friend and her parents to get away with Sri and do the deed. But, in the moment they’re getting handsy with each other, she realizes he’s way more experienced than her. There’s nothing worse than making a smart girl feel stupid. At the same time, her mom sees what’s going on and essentially starts “parenting” Mira about Sri. Yes, Mira’s mum has also experienced the same things she’s going through. She was also once a teenager with feelings, but she also knows when to tell Mira to back away. Unfortunately, Mira’s too busy thinking her mom doesn’t care about her feelings to factor in these things. When Mira notices that Sri and her mother are way too close, she decides it’s time for rebellion and tells Sri that she wants to go the whole mile. Sri then stays over on his birthday and ends up sleeping in the same room as Mira’s mom because she wants to make sure there’s no funny business under her watch; Mira gets mad. What’s worse is that they have an exam, and he doesn’t wake up even though he’d asked her to wake him up, so she feels betrayed by both people. Still, Sri wins Mira over again, and they end up doing the deed, but as you can imagine, it doesn’t leave Mira as happy as she imagined it would. 

What Happens With Hardik And The Boys? 

On the other hand, Mira’s asked out by another boy in school, and she rejects him because she isn’t interested. The boy feels it’s an insult, and he takes it upon himself to make Mira feel as “miserable” as he was in that tiny moment she rejected him. Of course, this is not all; he and some other boys even take pictures of girls up their skirts in school, and Mira gets them suspended instead of agreeing to the sexist notion that it’s the skirts that need to be long and not the boys better behaved. On teacher’s day, Mira has to act as principal, and none of the teachers are around. Hardik and his friends try to harass her. They run after her, and she ends up hiding away in a room by herself and calling her mom. 

When her mum shows up, the teacher starts to talk about Sri and how the boys have told her that he and Mira have been in a relationship and that he stays over at theirs often. Mira’s mum immediately sides with her and tells the teacher that she decides who comes inside her house. Mira’s mum is also an alumnus of this school and probably knows how humiliating it is to have teachers believe random boys over her own word. They’re so hypocritical because they want Mira to be the top student and never get distracted, but they will believe the boys who have never done well. Mira’s mum gives a fitting reply to the teacher and makes her realize there’s nothing to feel humiliated about. Respect as a young girl is hard to come by, but Mira’s mum has nothing but love and respect for her. 

What Does The Key Mean? 

In Girls Will Be Girls’s ending, Mira realizes that it’s her mum who loves her most dearly, not Sri. Her eyes are opened when they discuss her mom’s “key.” According to Sri, everybody has a key, and Mira’s mum’s is attention. If he pays more attention to her, he’ll get to spend more time with Mira. All he’s doing is using Mira’s mom, and for what? Finally, Mira’s realized that her mum deserves respect, not to be treated as some pushover who gets used by teenagers to sneak around. If Sri is using her mum’s key, he’s likely doing the same thing to her and will never really care about them. The movie ends with the most beautiful scene between mother and daughter where they reverse roles for a second. Mira willingly gives her mom a head massage and slowly, in the silence, begins to cry. She is, of course, feeling a plethora of emotions here. One is the sadness of trusting Sri and then realizing he was no good to her. The second is anger for trusting him, and the third is nearly rejecting her mom and not realizing they’re two sides of the same coin. These final moments are so profound you can’t help but cry with Mira about all the times you’ve felt distant from your mom. It’s a moment in which she reminds herself that her mum’s human too and deserves all the love in the world. 

Related

SC tech firm slashes the value of a struggling business by $415M

Technology

Charleston software developer Blackbaud Inc. could book a $415 million writedown against its fourth-quarter earnings to reflect the declining value of a company it bought three years ago.The company disclosed the estimated “impairment charge” for assets within its struggling Everfi subsidiary to shareholders last week in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It described the projected noncash accounting expense, equal to 55 percent of the original purchase price, as “material” and said that more writedowns are possible.

“The company is currently in the process of measuring the impairment and the actual amount of the impairment charge could differ materially from this estimate,” according to the Dec. 12 filing.

The final figure will be included in the fourth-quarter and full-year financial results, which typically are released by mid-February.Daniel Island-based Blackbaud paid $750 million for the online learning business in late 2021, projecting it would deliver annual revenue gains of 20 percent. But Everfi has struggled to gain traction and has been a drag on the balance sheet, with sales down 17 percent to $67 million as of Sept. 30.

Blackbaud is now considering a possible sale of the business. It hired Wall Street investment bank Goldman Sachs in October to help evaluate “a range of options.””The impairment charge was determined to be necessary as part of this process,” Blackbaud said.

Started in Washington D.C., Everfi is Blackbaud’s biggest acquisition to date. The company specializes in creating standard digital learning products for K-12 students, while also helping big businesses meet their “environmental, social and governance” goals, or ESG, by providing them with online content ranging from financial wellness to racial equity and workplace diversity.

Earlier this year, Blackbaud CEO Mike Gianoni told investors that Everfi was hurt by a pullback in spending on “corporate social responsibility” programs.

“Everfi remains well-positioned to support its customers,” the company said in its filing Thursday. “We will continue to provide updates as progress is made on this initiative.”

Blackbaud added that its “core business remains strong.”

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