Maddie Rojas Lynch Staff Writer, Emerson College
I can feel their gazes on me. With every step I take, their jaws drop and eyes bulge out of their head. Flipping my hair and pulling my already low cut top down even further, the lace of my bra peeking through, I can feel a rush of adrenaline pulse through me. The lights of the storefronts and buildings Boylston street illuminate the night sky, but all eyes are on me. As a walk down the street, men stop and stare purely based on the way I am dressed. My body is on display, and I love every second. I feel sexy. I feel free. I feel powerful.
We hear a lot about the objectification of female bodies and how detrimental it is to the feminist cause. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Advertisements and the media too often hypersexualize a woman’s body and make girl’s believe that beauty and sex are the only ways a woman is of value to society. So why, when I’m in a bad mood, do I put on a low cut top, take a walk down the block, and revel in men staring at me?
I can feel their gazes on me. With every step I take, their jaws drop and eyes bulge out of their head. Flipping my hair and pulling my already low cut top down even further, the lace of my bra peeking through, I can feel a rush of adrenaline pulse through me. The lights of the storefronts and buildings Boylston street illuminate the night sky, but all eyes are on me. As a walk down the street, men stop and stare purely based on the way I am dressed. My body is on display, and I love every second. I feel sexy. I feel free. I feel powerful.
We hear a lot about the objectification of female bodies and how detrimental it is to the feminist cause. I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Advertisements and the media too often hypersexualize a woman’s body and make girl’s believe that beauty and sex are the only ways a woman is of value to society. So why, when I’m in a bad mood, do I put on a low cut top, take a walk down the block, and revel in men staring at me?
I consider myself I feminist. I believe that women should not be valued based purely on how they look or how pleasurable they are to the male gaze. However, I’ll be the first to admit that when I’ve had a rough day, I instantly feel better when I walk down the street and males gaze at me in an appreciating manner. I know that I’m objectifying myself. I know that I’m conforming to societal norms. But I still feel powerful when I walk down the street.
Is self-objectification really objectification? Is it bad to put your body on display if you yourself are doing the objectifying? Is it a form of agency and power? Or is it simply the same as being objectified by a male? Do I feel powerful because I know I feel confident and strong? Or do I only feel powerful because I have the approval of the male gaze?
These are questions that I’ve grappled with for a long time. As a feminist, I’d hate to think that I was perpetuating a sexist way of thinking. However I don’t want to perpetuate slutshaming either, or stop doing something that makes me feel confident.
So here is my conclusion about self-objectification. It’s okay. As long as you are aware of certain things. I think as long as you are able to have a conversation with yourself about the complexity of these issues, you should be free to dress and act in any manner that you choose. Here’s the thing, bodies are beautiful. From full breasts to curvy hips, from broad shoulders to muscular quads, from long necks to thin limbs. I believe that we all have traits that we all have traits that we’re proud of. And if we want to show these traits off and strut our stuff, why shouldn't we? However, it’s important to remember that our bodies are not all that we have. I love the feeling I get when I walk down the street and get male attention. However, I also love the feeling I get after writing a good short story, or after teaching swim lessons to
children, or exploring a new city. I know that I have many positive traits that don’t have to do with my body. So with that in mind, I think putting on a crop top, heading to party, and reveling in the feel of the male gaze is completely acceptable.
Maddie Rojas Lynch is a writer, adventurer, and explorer obsessed with cats, cuddling, and chamomile tea. She loves learning about other cultures and creating positive change. Her life goals include traveling the world and turning into Beyoncé.
Image: ilovestickyrice.com
Is self-objectification really objectification? Is it bad to put your body on display if you yourself are doing the objectifying? Is it a form of agency and power? Or is it simply the same as being objectified by a male? Do I feel powerful because I know I feel confident and strong? Or do I only feel powerful because I have the approval of the male gaze?
These are questions that I’ve grappled with for a long time. As a feminist, I’d hate to think that I was perpetuating a sexist way of thinking. However I don’t want to perpetuate slutshaming either, or stop doing something that makes me feel confident.
So here is my conclusion about self-objectification. It’s okay. As long as you are aware of certain things. I think as long as you are able to have a conversation with yourself about the complexity of these issues, you should be free to dress and act in any manner that you choose. Here’s the thing, bodies are beautiful. From full breasts to curvy hips, from broad shoulders to muscular quads, from long necks to thin limbs. I believe that we all have traits that we all have traits that we’re proud of. And if we want to show these traits off and strut our stuff, why shouldn't we? However, it’s important to remember that our bodies are not all that we have. I love the feeling I get when I walk down the street and get male attention. However, I also love the feeling I get after writing a good short story, or after teaching swim lessons to
children, or exploring a new city. I know that I have many positive traits that don’t have to do with my body. So with that in mind, I think putting on a crop top, heading to party, and reveling in the feel of the male gaze is completely acceptable.
Maddie Rojas Lynch is a writer, adventurer, and explorer obsessed with cats, cuddling, and chamomile tea. She loves learning about other cultures and creating positive change. Her life goals include traveling the world and turning into Beyoncé.
Image: ilovestickyrice.com