Our society seems dedicated to observing women's bodies. Girls are consistently being put under the microscope of what they should and shouldn't do as well as being judged and criticized about personal decisions. Whether our society is openly critiquing or expressing their distaste of how women present themselves, this ongoing issue seems like an excuse to openly bash and shame women for embracing and owning the skin they’re in.
Unfortunately, women are taught shame from a young age. For example, in middle school and so forth, within schools, girls are constantly told to "cover up." Dress code policies are forced down girls' throats. Despite whether certain dress codes should be in effect or not, when it comes to girls being punished and sent home from school for wearing shorts on a hot day because their clothing is deemed "distracting," says a great deal about the mindset in our society. Instead of policing girls and scorning them for wanting to be comfortable, why are we not questioning and putting the spotlight on certain boys who lack self-control when they see a spaghetti strap?
Issues such as body image and sexuality also provoke intense discussions about policing women's bodies. In terms of body image, there are certain beauty standards and individual expectations within society for women to appear a particular way. For instance, one may prefer a skinnier woman compared to a fuller woman and may begin to pass negative judgment on the fuller woman. Despite these two bodies being perfectly fine and unique in their own form, insulting comments and constant harsh criticisms about the less preferred body are unnecessary.
Furthermore, it is sometimes difficult for women to be open when it comes to their sexuality. Society believes women should act or speak about their sexuality only in ways that meet society's standards, therefore, when they do the opposite (openly embrace being sexual), negative appraisal is sure to unfold. Sometimes actions and comments characterizing women as “hoes” and “sluts” flood social media and only add to the levels of negativity. This harsh criticism reveals the culture's dismissal of women who are making their own decisions for their own reasons.
Policing women about their physical attributes and choices is subjective and, most of the time, unnecessary. However, we should worry about our own circumstances instead of policing and shaming women for doing what they want with their own bodies. Remember—whether we agree with someone's personal decisions or not—in the end, it is their body and their choice.
