Post 4

The overwhelming narrative in mainstream society seems to suggest that, as women, we are incapable of making our own decisions in regard to our bodies. On a societal level, this perpetuates the incorrect belief that women are lesser than. We need to be told what to do because we couldn't possibly make choices by ourselves. Women are shown images that dictate how to dress to get the guy (catering to a heteronormative perspective-- surprise surprise). This goes along with Wykes Gunther's reading, "Each representation is placed in conjunction with others to form a feminine syntagm... when meeting the cultural ideal is then placed in the romantic gendered narrative of love, family, financial security and perhaps even fame" (208). On the other hand, we are chastised when our skirts are too short or an outfit is deemed too revealing (as some other classmates have noted); in that case we are no longer the ideal woman. Clothes only scratch the surface of this flawed system. 

Sex is another thing that society at large likes to define for women. Drawing from my own experiences, I've found that sexuality is something that is hugely misrepresented. First of all, the means of education (in most primary educational institutions) is in dire need of an overhaul. The problematic ways of teaching kids/teens about sex only supports the damaging viewpoints that exist. In the two instances I received sex ed, it came from a place of fear. In public school, the curriculum basically relied on bombarding my fellow classmates and I with a myriad of STD images/facts. While yes, STDs should be addressed, they shouldn't comprise the majority of the lesson plan. At catholic school, STDs weren't covered at all. Sex was seen as a privilege for married couples and having premarital sex meant damaging your "precious gift" (actual language used when discussing virginity). In hearing these perspectives, it becomes really difficult to develop a healthy concept of sex. On the one hand you act out of fear and on the other you define yourself by your sexual experience. Without having a solid foundation within yourself, you might look to the media for answers thus feeding into the vicious cycle. The media likes to present a woman's sexuality front and center. It always reminds me of the quote from The Breakfast Club:

 
The patriarchy is at the center of all this (as is usually the case). While we have already discussed women's depictions in advertising and the rest of the media, legislation is another area that women are misrepresented or excluded from. The patriarchy overlooks women's rights and voices, and as a result men are usually the ones making decisions for women. I can't pretend to know what compels the patriarchy at large to hold such a tight leash on women. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say it probably comes out of fear. A lot of men are intimidated by women that go against them (patriarchy) or what society imposes on them. In order to understand this, the entire system that the patriarchy relies on would have to be questioned, which is something that the system is inherently against.

Men's Rights Activist on reproductive rights

As Roxane Gay reminds us, "if these politicians can't prevent women from having abortions, they are certainly going to punish them. They are going to punish these women severely, cruelly, unusually for daring to make choices about motherhood, their bodies, and their futures" (271). Another important side to this discussion is brought up in Jennifer Nelson's piece, "By examining the larger movement for reproductive rights, rather than abortion rights, we begin to appreciate the importance of the contributions women of color made to the political movement to achieve reproductive autonomy" (2). This continues to be something we need to keep in mind, because there are more problems for women than just abortion rights. We must keep intersectionality in mind.

Fortunately not everything is as bleak as it appears. As Audre Lorde instructs us via a quote from her daughter, "Tell them about how you're never really a whole person if you remain silent, because there's always that one little piece inside you that wants to be spoken out" (42). Luckily, women are willing to speak out about the injustices we face in society both socially and politically. And while a lot of mass media supports policing women's bodies and displaying harmful images, there are exceptions to this rule. There are new apps, websites, and shows willing to support women and their decisions to represent themselves. While there is still progress to be made, it is reassuring to see that everything isn't completely terrible. There are brilliant journalists, writers, and public figures willing to speak out against the flawed state of affairs. There is interest in saving organizations like PlannedParenthood, which is definitely hopeful. 

Women willing to speak out about their experiences.

 

Sources: Wykes Gunther "Body Messages"; Roxane Gay "Alienable Rights of Women"; Jennifer Nelson "Women of Color and RRM"; Audre Lorde "Silence Into Action"