In the twenty-first century, there is an enormous amount of pressure within the world of dating and relationships. Both women and men are expected to find the perfect partner, yet through their search for "the one", they are overcome with a multitude of difficulties. We live in a world where sexual assault is more common than a woman paying for dinner, and we seek entertainment in sick, sexual fantasies that promote male dominance, like the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. So, the question becomes, "How can we exist within the current hyper-sexualized culture that constantly surrounds us?"

First, we need to stop glorifying clear immorality within our society.
Let's start with one of the top films in the theaters at this very moment: Fifty Shades Freed. The third film inspired by E.L. James' book series arrived in theaters this past Valentine's Day, and it has sparked lots of attention in the media. But amidst all the attention and buzz the film has received, I am surprised that not one person has sought to condemn the sexist, cruel, and repulsive acts within the film.

No one has asked any questions regarding sexual harassment, abuse, or any doubts of consent when it comes to Fifty Shades of Grey. Is this not a clear hypocrisy to our generation of #TimesUp and #MeToo? Or will we only pick and choose which heinous sexual immoralities can be included under the general umbrella of "sexual assault"? Our generation needs to wake up, smell the fresh cup of coffee, and stop contributing to sex culture.

Has anyone ever thought that maybe the reason behind sex culture is ourselves? Maybe the reason why awful men believe they can misuse and abuse women can be attributed to what they see in TV shows, movies, and music videos. It is ingrained in the characters we like on TV, the movies we pay money to see opening weekend, and the music we choose to listen to.

Of course, we have every right to listen to whatever we want. But, to live in a world where we can totally say #TimesUp means that we need to rid ourselves of every last bit of disrespect and mistreatment of women.

Second, we need to reconsider who our true leaders are. As mentioned before, sex culture is constantly surrounding us. It is the reason why millions would rather gawk over the Kardashians rather than an average, American family.

We are evidently drawn to people's appearances, people who show themselves in a provocative way and receive mass attention and stardom over inappropriate pictures of themselves.

Tell me, is it really that impressive or respectable of Kim Kardashian, an almost middle-aged woman, to constantly post pictures on social media either half or fully naked? Or, even better, is it respectable for us, members of a generation of #MeToo and #TimesUp, to go home and worship music artists who clearly defile and degrade women? People like Chris Brown, you would have thought people would have gotten the point when he physically assaulted his ex-girlfriend Rihanna all those years ago.

Let's look at the leaders of our society: the people who are supposed to guide us in a new direction, help us progress as a community of citizens. We have a President who has a past of disrespecting women through immature comments and slurs he would prefer to call "locker-room talk".

Well, I am sure that we all do not want a generation of locker-room talk.

With political opinions aside, anyone can see that some of the things our current President has said are rude, degrading, and add to our interpretation of sex culture. But I assure you he is not the only one who has said these words.

Or, let's take it back now not even twenty years ago. Our former President, Bill Clinton, was impeached for perjury because of an affair he swears never occurred. As he said, "I did not have sexual affairs with that woman (Monica Lewinsky)." This man was caught dead in his tracks as a sexual predator, and yet, what do we do? We continue to praise him as a former President and citizen of the United States.

Uh, what? How does that make any sense? Where are the founders of #MeToo and #TimesUp? Why do we not talk about this? Why do we not let the countless women whom Mr. Clinton sexually and emotionally assaulted tell their stories?

Is #MeToo a reliable movement? Or does it pick and choose which women to support and align with and which to leave out in the dust? Are we a society that wants to respect and admire women, or would we rather kick back and let this disrespect continue? Because we are the only people who can change stop our culture that is obsessed with sex.

Don't worry, true feminists. We will get our day, a day when no one even dares to pick up a book or movie that subjugates us.

There will be a day when no one even wants to see an artist that only sings about mistreating women. There will be a day when we will not be surrounded by leaders, movie directors, and actors who think they are entitled to do whatever they want. We will not hear another "sexual misconduct" story in the headlines because one day, I hope to live in a culture that knows how to respect the dignity of every single human being.

I want to live in a world where I can watch a movie without seeing an unnecessary sex scene. I will live in a world that can teach its young people the true merit and value of genuine love, not meaningless hookups. And most importantly, I will be led by a generation of leaders who know the difference between what is to be respected and what immoralities are to be condemned and demolished.

Then, and only then, is when we can truly say: Time Is Up.