Amy Instagram – Someone messaged me recently, emailed actually, suggesting that it is wrong for a respectable woman to wear a bikini.
I found this viewpoint really fascinating. I understand we live in a pretty misogynist society, but nonetheless I am always a little taken aback when someone presents these ideas.
To me, sexuality is not inherently degrading, but we tend to see it as degrading for women. Why is this?
A woman wearing sexy clothes, or otherwise being actively sensuous should not diminish her in anyone’s eyes. It shouldn’t reduce her to a sexual object – she’s capable of being a sexual SUBJECT.
It is interesting to consider shifting the conversation from “stop allowing yourself to be objectified by being sexy” to “stop objectifying her just because she is sexy”.
It reflects a culture that can’t envision female sexual agency, that thinks women should be chaste and not participate in their own sexual lives. Expressing healthy sexuality shouldn’t dehumanize you, and our society does still tend to see women as somehow degraded or less worthy of respect, reduced to their ‘parts’ – in the same way we reduce animals to their ‘parts’.
Objectification should not be confused with appreciating someone’s appearance. It’s natural to notice and admire aesthetics to some extent, without any stigma attached. However, objectification begins as a mental process, with the individual perceiving someone as an object rather than recognizing their FULL HUMANITY.
Some argue that women, particularly their appearance or clothing choices, are to blame for being objectified. The notion suggests that provocative attire invites objectification.
The problem with this, is that it shifts blame onto the individual being perceived rather than the beholder, fostering a victim-blaming mentality. The other problem is that notions of appropriateness vary widely among individuals and cultures, rendering the concept subjective and unreliable.
I have written about this extensively on my linked in blog, with a particular focus on our objectification of animals and women;
in deeply rooted power dynamics of a patriarchal system.
Just enjoy, and be yourself 💚
Wearing @shopcider | Posted on 14/Apr/2025 14:35:18
