While I was reading through the Odyssey's most viewed content email, I came across an article titled "To Girls Wearing "Cheeky" Bathing Suit Bottoms, Please Stop". At first, I assumed this article was satire. Surely, there aren't actually people who are trying to dictate what women should and shouldn't wear in 2017, right? Well, apparently I was wrong.
The very first stab the author takes in a reckless attempt to make women who do not wear the same swimsuits as her feel inferior is the line, "Coming from a female who cares about her body and self-image, this [cheeky bathing suit bottom trend] not only makes me angry but disappointed in the lack of value that women still have today." So, not only are we saying that women who wear cheeky bathing suit bottoms have poor self-image, this also represents a lack of value in the female gender. Gotcha.
She then goes into wondering why it is even "socially acceptable" to wear these bikini bottoms and that any women who wears these bottoms surely aren't teaching the younger generations anything about "having self-respect or dignity in themselves." Yup, you read it correctly. The type of bikini bottoms you wear are now a beacon of teaching for the younger generation to decide whether they plan on having self-respect or dignity.
The author then claims to counter argue people like me, who, you know, are obviously poisoning the youth with my major lack of positive self-image. She writes, "Which if you're one of these people, I understand where you are coming from, BUT do you often see men roaming around in a speedo to attract attention? The answer to that question is obviously no. Therefore, why do women feel the need to succumb to showing more and more skin each year to attract attention?" AHA! VOILA! Of course! How could I forget that every single thing a women does is to attract the attention of a man??? I completely disregarded the fact that everything I do, including buying cheeky bathing suit bottoms, is directly to benefit the males around me. Silly, feminist Thespina, how could I be so foolish to forget my place as the lesser gender?
Side Note:
As if this degradation wasn't enough, she continues on saying, "Also, I'm all for the self-confidence, you should feel amazing and proud of what you wear; however, a line needs to be drawn firmly in the sand in regards to what is appropriate and what is not and "cheeky" bathing suit bottoms are not appropriate." Okay, thank you Oh Wise One but not even two sentences later, she writes, "Although I know many women this summer will not be listening to my advice, however, for those of you who do, thank you for showing respect to your bodies as well as yourselves. Our world needs more women like you to prove that we are characters of substance and value, not just itemized beauty to gawk at." SO, remember that part about being "all for self-confidence"? Well, that argument deflated pretty quickly. Bathing suit shopping is already one of the most fun but hardest things for women to do in our society, let's not make it harder by making them feel worthless for wanting cheeky bottoms, okay? Also, I have friends that wear cheeky bottoms, I have friends that don't and guess who they do it for? THEMSELVES. I know this seems like a super crazy idea but women actually buy suits for the summer to feel comfortable and look great in for themselves! Just because you don't feel comfortable in cheeky bottoms (or anything other article of clothing you decide to take upon yourself to deem inappropriate) doesn't mean that you get the privilege of degrading other people for their personal choice to wear that garment.
I genuinely had never originally thought I would write a response article. Normally, I do not like to criticize other authors because opinion is opinion but I believe this article is dangerous. What if a young girl were to come across this and actually believe that what she wore to the beach could make her less of a women? This is not the kind of content that should be circulating on my Facebook feed. In my article I do not mean to be disrespectful but frankly, the bluntness and sexism in this article was too intense not to combat. I can not let this article be circulated and let women think that they are only worth what they wear to the beach. This exact type of logic is the one that influences rape culture. The very moment we tell women that they are wearing "too cheeky" of clothing is the exact moment we see the oppressors win. I can not let girls grow up thinking that the type of bikini they are wearing dictates the amount of worth and value they hold. To actually believe that "this trend is ruining women's dignity" is to quite literally define femininity as what we are wearing and not what we are saying, thinking, feeling, etc. This type of thinking is a plague and major step in the wrong direction towards the equality of the sexes.
This summer, I encourage you to wear whatever you want to the beach because you are the one in control of your own self image, confidence, and body. Do not let anyone else tell you otherwise, and don't sweat the last minute bikini body workouts, it is easier than you realize!
