Pop culture is often compared to junk food; something to feel guilty for consuming. But the term “guilty pleasure” is a defense mechanism used to elevate oneself from the disdain for pop culture. Specifically the disdain for mass media geared towards women. Watching reality TV is considered frivolous and shallow, but religiously following a sports team is perfectly respectable. In the words of writer Jaya Saxena, “When men enjoy something, they elevate it. When women enjoy something, they ruin it.” It’s time to stop feeling guilty about enjoying pop culture. Women are socially conditioned to feel guilty about so many things: what we eat, what we wear, saying “no,” feeling guilty, working too much, etc. Pop culture needn’t add to the list.