We’ve seen it all around social media—from Kim Kardashian to Chelsea Handler to Justin Bieber. Maybe we’ve even seen it in our personal lives. Wherever we’ve seen them, we know that they exist: nudes—nude selfies or nudes in general.
I recently came upon a forum on an app designed for women to track their periods, ovulation, and pregnancy. Open to anyone who is menstruating, pregnant, or the partner of a pregnant woman, people can post in “Controversy Corner.” I saw one girl had posted that she sells her nudes to help pay for her college tuition.
Are taking nudes photos “wrong?” Depends on who you are. People will defend nudes by saying they’re a form of expressing ourselves. It’s a confidence booster. Others will disagree. They will comment and claim that it isn’t “classy” and “inappropriate.” Of course, there is a time and place for everything. And I definitely agree with that—to some and a certain extent. Some platforms might not be appropriate, depending on the audience and who has access to these photos. The fact that nude photos are and can be accessible to minors, is obviously wrong.
What’s also wrong, however, is shaming people for taking nude photos. All throughout the forum I saw negative comments calling the original poster of the forum a “slut” and “whore.” People also commented how she was a cheater, even though she and boyfriend had cleared the air about what she does. (He’s fine with it and knows she does it to help pay for school). Even still—it is her body. She should have the freedom and liberty to do what she wants with it. Should she really be called such derogative terms for loving her body? For wanting to celebrate it?
It irked me to know that this poor girl was getting attacked for expressing herself. It especially bothered me seeing how women could knock other women down so harshly with their opinions and comments.
There is also a double standard with nude photos. Why is it that whenever a female celebrity posts a nude she gets backlash, while a male celebrity receives praise, heart-eyed emojis, and comments suggesting that he remove any censors? Just look at the infamous Instagram post from Kim Kardashian versus Justin Bieber.
Sure—maybe the nude is a concept that should be kept to yourself, or at least to people you trust. But everyone has and is entitled to their own opinions. But let’s not shame the people that are loud and proud of their bodies. What’s the point in making people feel bad about something that they have confidence in?
