Why I'm Tired Of Women Being Told To Cover Their Bodies
Start writing a post
Health Wellness

Why I'm Tired Of Women Being Told To Cover Their Bodies

After centuries of women being told to cover their bodies, our society is finally at a place where we can fully break those boundaries—but we still have some people standing in our way.

211
Why I'm Tired Of Women Being Told To Cover Their Bodies

To start off, I am a twenty-year-old liberal college student, so if you find that appalling then you might want to stop reading here.

Ever since I was comfortable enough with my body to wear a bikini, an entirely new and empowered young woman was born. Then crop tops came into style, then bralettes as tops, then tube tops even came back as a trend, and women showing skin was slowly starting to be celebrated by society as it rightfully should. I remember being in elementary school pouting about the fact that I couldn't wear shorts to school on a hot summer's day. I remember the reason being that it was "inappropriate" or "distracting" or some absurd reason of the sorts. But then as I've gotten older I've realized that society was merely sexualizing young children—that's almost as bad as James Charles preying on straight men if not worse.

I remember getting into middle school and high school where I thought that the rule made maybe a little more sense? I had a better grasp on what exactly sexualizing even was and the oppression had been slightly justified, but I never really accepted the reality behind it. Heck, I couldn't even show my shoulders in school because it would apparently give my male teacher a boner? ... Yikes. That doesn't sound like a me problem. That sounds like a men problem.

Right now, I'm in college. And showcasing my body is my favorite thing to do. Wearing a tube top and skinny jeans, maybe a short low-cut dress with heels, or even a leather bodysuit with a short skirt really does something to empower me, and I know it does the same for many of my friends. Going out, showing off your body, being proud of your body and who you are, that takes a lot of confidence and courage, and for men and disloyal women to tell us that we can't do that is almost dehumanizing.

I read another Odyssey article about why we should basically boycott cheeky bikini bottoms and I haven't been that upset in a while. We should embrace cheeky bikini bottoms and embrace them to their fullest. In Europe, men wearing speedos is quite common. Heck, nude beaches are even kind of common too. So for another women to tell me that I shouldn't wear a skimpy bathing suit is not only internalized sexism but it's also just complete BS.

Way back when in the "olden days", women couldn't even show their ankles. The thought of a woman showing her ankles was absurd. Yet with time, society progressed and realized that ankles... they aren't all that bad. Who knew? And then they realized that shins, hey, shins... they're not all that bad either. And then it went on to knees and thighs and hips and midriff, you get the gist. So if I want to show a little bit of my butt on a hot day at the beach, you best believe that if the suns out my buns will be out because that's life and I am a woman and I am empowered—and I'm not going to let sexist men and women take that away from me or shame me for being unapologetically me.

I could go on and on about this. How society needs to stop blaming sexual victims for showing some skin and claiming that showing your legs or a little bit of cleavage on a night out means that you want to take it hard and fast—even if you say "no". Clothes are a way to express ourselves. You can wear a t-shirt that supports your favorite band, or a goth can wear all black, or a frat boy can wear his Patagonia—so why can't I, a twenty-year-old liberal college student wear my cheeky bikini bottoms?

Just a question for thought.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41529
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26020
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951333
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

134909
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments