The weirdest thing about society is that it demands respect for all lives, but it gives respect to no one.
In such a society, individuals do not want to be degraded, they do not want to be slandered; they know they have value and deserve to be treated respectably.
However, society accepts a media that objectifies men and women. It treats the human body as if it were an item to be bought and sold, or some toy to be used by anybody or anything. Society accepts images, TV shows, ads, programs, plays, etc., as unrealistic goals that degrade a person’s humanity.
Human beings are amazing creatures of immense worth and every single person deserves to be treated with value. Every single person is priceless. Someone so precious and so worthy deserves all the reverence and respect the world can give.
However, the world is constantly degrading all humans that deserve this respect. As a woman, I feel especially victimized by these low societal standards. Society tells me that it’s OK to put my body on display for all to see, that I can wear as little clothing as I want because it’s my body and I can do what I want. Society teaches that a man or woman can give himself or herself over to someone else anytime they want because sex isn’t necessarily seen as a romantic act. Self-respect is a thing of the past.
I want to respect myself. I am not an item in a store -- I am not something to be gawked at.
Morality is so crucial to a society in which people love and respect each other; morality determines one’s own worth and the worth one places in others. However, our society laughs at morality. If someone chooses to believe that his or her body is sacred and doesn’t deserve to be handled or gawked at, they are considered a “prude” or are made fun of. Many people walk a fine line between conforming to societal norms and taking their self-respect into their own hands. But the body is sacred, isn’t it? Shouldn’t something so sacred and personal be treated carefully? The body becomes an object of sex instead of sanctification. Everyone can agree that we should respect ourselves, so why is sex so open and casual?
What does being respectful even mean? Being respectful means placing reverence, honor, admiration, beauty, and high regard of yourself and others. Respect is a beautiful and vital thing; by respecting yourself or others, you do not put anyone in a position of being objectified. Don’t get me wrong, I am not shaming short skirts and cute crop tops, I am simply asking you to respect yourself so much that your even your clothing demands respect from others. I also ask that you do not disrespect anyone else for what they wear or do. Cat-calling and inappropriate comments towards respectable men and women are incredibly disgusting; no one deserves to be treated like they are just something to stare at.
Some people may be offended by this article; too often I hear, “But it’s my body and I can do what I want!” And I agree; it’s your body and your choice. But I ask that you think about the choices you make and the effect they can have on society. With each choice, ask yourself, “Does my decision promote low societal standards?” No one ever condones the objectification of women in media, so why should we conform to the low value society places on women?
We, as individuals, make up society; therefore, we have the power to change it. If we respect ourselves and our own bodies, we can each make our own little difference. You deserve respect. You are beautiful and precious and sacred and deserved to be treated as such. I hope that you can see your beauty and treasure yourself. You are loved and you are worthy of all the beauty and respect the world has to offer.
