So why are we?
I ask you, middle-aged man at the beach on Wednesday, who walked past me sitting on my towel and proceeded to tell me that my towel was nice but what was sitting on it was even nicer. I ask you, mum, who told me I should reconsider my Facebook profile picture as you believed that me wearing a low-cut (but long-sleeved and ankle length) dress was sending the wrong message. I ask you, every single person that has ever looked at a Young woman's attire and defined her worth, self-respect and personality by it.Why are we?
Why is it that I can't even sit alone at the beach enjoying the sun without my body in a bikini being mentioned? Why is it that I can't embrace the small breasts I have and rock a low cut dress (that made them look bomb) without being called out for it? And why is it that every young woman is judged, criticised and berated for simply expressing her interior through her exterior and wearing what she deems as comfortable?
In an age where we claim we have progressed, where we say "WE WANT CHANGE", where we say we believe in equality and women's rights and moving forward; it shocks me that we as women are still criticised primarily on our exterior, more often than not for appearing sexual or provocative. And I'm sorry, but the last time I tried to provoke someone with my attire was when I rocked my new lingerie set for a new partner IN PRIVATE. Yet I have been criticised countless times by others since then for wearing what I deemed as comfortable. Yet I am slammed by those who simply cannot keep up or refuse to move with the progressing times. Is there a difference between me, at 19 years old, in my t-shirt and baggy denim shorts, and the girl across the road, at 19 years old, in her t-shirt and vintage midi skirt? Apart from our hem length and personality, no, we are both Young Women, in 2017, yet I will be criticised by one person for being provocative, and her, by another, for being prudish. Except, there should be nothing wrong with either outfit, we are both comfortable, confident and expressing ourselves.
So to you, middle-aged man at the beach on Wednesday, I hope if you have a daughter, you will next time see her sitting on her towel at the beach, not a stranger, and think before you speak. To you, mum, I hope I never have to defend my external appearance to you again. I hope you will embrace my self-expression and my choices as a young adult as they will shape who I am for the rest of my life. And if I am only guilty of having one too many glasses of red wine on Monday night after a long day at work, and wearing a dress that made my feel confident and proud of my body, then I can't wait for what's to come. Finally, to you, every single person that has ever looked at a young woman's attire and defined her worth, self-respect and personality by it. Moving forward, let's take a vow. Not to judge, but to encourage, to admire, and to BE the change we all claim we want to see.
And just quickly to you 2017, can we throw this ridiculous over-sexualisation of young women out the window and start appreciating them for the unique, interesting and wonderful beings we all are?
