So this goes out to really anyone. How many times have you seen a girl at school, at work, or really anywhere, with a low cut shirt, maybe some short-shorts, or even just a lot of make up, and thought to yourself, "My God, that girl is skanky. She really needs a bra or something." This idea, this stereotype, is wrong, extremely backwards in terms of women's rights, and very offensive to women. So why do even we as women, especially we as women, do it?
To an extent, I can understand why. Part of it is a protective instinct. When we see another female coming towards our men, it's seen as an attack on our relationship with that man, even if this person is only a crush. But that excuse can only go so far. We as a society desperately need to get out of this funk of calling women "sluts" or "whores" simply for how they dress or how they act. First off, one can't assume right off the bat that because a girl wears a very "showing" outfit, she's trying to get men to come after her. Perhaps she felt really warm, and put on a tank top so she could cool down. Perhaps she just likes how the shirt looks on her. To put her down for her own pride in self goes against basic morals we teach our own children. Shouldn't we allow other women to be proud of themselves for who they are? I personally wear low cut shirts all the time. I'm proud of my girls, man! My boobs have the right to be shown.
And second, what's wrong with a girl being sexual? Why is it okay for men to brag about their sexual encounters, but women have to keep them hidden? We as women have to embrace sex and sexuality.Maybe the girl is, in fact, wearing a low cut shirt to get men's attention. So what? A girl wants to have sex. That's her decision, not ours. Maybe it makes her feel good. Maybe she just likes having sex. And that's okay. She has the right to that happiness. Girls have the right to be horny, too.
Just in general, I think America as a country needs to open up to sexuality, especially that of women. We women need to embrace that we have the right to be sexual, too. To put down fellow women for her beliefs and her life is backwards against feminism. She is our fellow woman, and to discriminate her labels women, forces us to conform to society's strict norms. That simply isn't fair. Women are not victims. Women are human beings.
This is a topic I love to discuss, so please, comment in the comments below.
I definitely agree that men have much more sexual freedom than women. That has basically been the case since the beginning of time. I'll admit I am uncomfortable discussing anything sexual, but our society has always been that way. The change in the way America views sex would have to be a very gradual change. Imagine the outrage if suddenly there was just sex everywhere! I know that isn't what you meant, but it would be very hard for a culture like ours to accept such a change. But yeah, it is okay to express yourself through whatever medium suits you best. That could be clothing. Even "skanky" clothing.
ReplyDeleteFrom a religious perspective, revealing clothing is trashy. You're suppose to be relatively covered up, not exposing yourself to the world. Did you ever think that that's why some girls call other girls sluts? Because they feel like it's inappropriate and the only true way to express themselves through words in order to be accepted by their peers is to use vulgar language i.e. slut, whore.
ReplyDeleteAlso, totally not okay for men to brag about sex. (from a religious perspective, again)
ReplyDeleteI definitely do this a lot -- I criticize people for what they wear (or lack thereof) -- but I've never really thought much about it before. I always saw this as women just trying to get attention, like you said we would just assume. Now, yes, maybe she was just really warm. But, if you haven't noticed already, it's October and freezing. Yes, it is her choice to wear a short skirt if she feels comfortable in it and feels she looks good in it. But dressing this way can be viewed as immoral to a lot of other girls (especially from a religious perspective), which causes them to accuse that particular stand-out girl. I agree that being open to sexuality can be a good thing, but in moderation. Younger audiences are being exposed every generation and my little sister, who is in Junior High now, knows a lot of "skanky" friends. I personally don't want my sister to embrace the sexy side of her at such a young age.
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