It has come to a point where I can no longer suppress my frustration of women being objectified. Many men tend to believe that because a woman is wearing a shirt revealing cleavage or is wearing a short skirt or dress that they are free for them to grab and harass. But in reality, many women wear these things to express themselves and because it makes them feel confident. They aren't wearing it for other men to desire them. They are wearing it because THEY want to.
I am done letting society's pressure that we need to wear and do certain things to be desired by men affect me. If I want to wear a turtleneck and jeans to a bar, you better believe I will wear that. I'm at a point in my life where I don't even want to meet a guy who is approaching me because I am wearing a shirt that showed off some cleavage and he thinks that's hot.
I'm sick of feeling uncomfortable when I go out somewhere with a shirt that shows cleavage or a tight dress. Just because I chose to wear those things does not in anyway mean I am asking to be groped or stared at uncomfortably. It's the sad truth that I have stopped wearing things that show a lot of skin because the way I get treated makes me feel so much worse about myself than the insecurity I might have felt wearing a high cut top and jeans.
Women are constantly being viewed as objects, especially in college. We are seen as something to conquer, and the minute we show any emotion we are labeled as "crazy" or "over-reacting". Society has taught us to be okay with one night stands and wearing things to please men. If you want to have a one-night stand, you should be able to do that without being labeled just like guys are able to sleep around without getting any negativity back. Instead, they are praised by other men. Guys will do anything to sleep with you, and if you dare to give in, you're labeled as easy and a "slut". How about we all take the word slut, whore, and 'hoe' out of our vocabulary.
Women need to stick together and begin to value respect over desire. If we chose to wear something revealing or tight, we should be doing it because we feel confident and beautiful, not because we will receive attention and praise from a man. There is no situation where it is okay for anyone to sexually harass or take advantage of a woman.
It is about time that women are treated as equals to men. We are all human beings and we deserve the same respect as anyone else. I know that I am free to express my sexuality and that any guy who tries to make me feel that I am obligated to him because of what I'm wearing or my past history needs a wake-up call. I am done being treated as an object by men. From now on, I will value respect over desire and live my life to please myself, not a man. I encourage you to do the same. Your body belongs to you and no one else.
