Before I begin, I would like to say that there are so many good people in this world that have nothing to do with the contents of this article. I'm simply using personal experiences to illustrate the daily struggles of a woman. I d on't mean to offend anyone with these words; I only mean to hopefully offer a new perspective and express my concerns and opinions through this outlet.

As a woman, I have always been aware that I am a woman. Even when most people would just consider me a girl. I don't remember the first time I became aware of this fact, but ever since I could remember, boys have looked at me. And not in a way that I am comfortable with.

It's not OK that when I'm alone at night, I feel as though an attacker could come out of no where.

It's not OK that I'm always on edge when I'm alone and a group of men or boys is nearby, even if they mean me no harm. Because the one time I'm not paying attention or being alert will be the time that I should have been.

It's not OK that I have certain expectations to always look perfect, pretty, thin.

It's not OK that my beauty is defined by the amount of makeup I put on in the morning, how much time I put into my hair, or the clothes that I down. Beauty should be defined not be the outside appearance but by the values we keep and the love that's in our lives.

It's not OK for men to blatantly, unashamedly stare at me, or rather my breasts or butt, as I walk by. It shouldn't matter if I'm wearing tight clothing. And it doesn't matter. The stares were there when I was in my school uniform from high school. The stares are there when I'm in sweats at the grocery store.

It's not OK that phrases such as "asking for it," "not careful enough," "but she was wearing...," and "but think about how this will affect his life" are all used as valid excuses.

It's not OK for that one car filled with teenage boys to follow me for half an hour while I tried to get away. They were laughing and joking and having a good time. They only stopped when they finally pulled up next to me with dumb smiles on their faces and saw that I was beginning to cry in fear.

It's not OK for men to catcall. I was on a college trip with my dad. And a man on the street yelled out "Damn, girl. You sexy!" while my father was caught between being embarrassed and purely angry. I laughed it off and tried to make a joke out of it, but in all honesty, it really tore me up. I was just barely 17 at the time.

It's not OK for someone to try to touch or kiss me after I have told them to stop several times.

It's not OK that, in relationships, I feel a pressure to do things I don't want to do. Even if they say that's it's your decision and that "we'll take it slow," you can still feel the other half of him thinking "Please, just give it up."

It's not OK that, when at dinner in a very nice restaurant, I was followed into the women's bathroom without my knowledge by my middle aged male waiter.

It's not OK that when I exited my stall he was there just around the corner to ask me if I needed anything as he slowly walked closer. As if he was cornering a wild animal. I was only saved by a female janitor who entered to ask if everything was OK. My waiter swiftly left after that. The rest of the dinner I kept my eyes on my plate even as he placed his hand on my shoulder several times. I was too afraid to tell anyone. No one ever knew. I was 16 years old at the time.

It's not OK for people to think my body is any one else's right, property, or theirs for the taking.

It's not OK that I felt I had to add a disclaimer at the top of this article for fear of backlash from these very real things I (and so many other woman) have experienced.

These instances are all forms of dehumanization. These situations take everything that I am and shrink me down into something as superficial as the way I look and what I can be for someone else's gratification. And we are worth more.