For those who responded to the last post, I ended up getting the Firefighter costume. It actually looked really nice, I think. Since I'm not an amazon with a DD bra size, it looked pretty appropriate. Either way, I got grounded (long story), so I ended up not celebrating at all for yet another year. Some of you commented on the sexualization of costumes- and you're all right. If it's not a little kid costume, it's most likely a sexy costume. I think that if you look around for costumes wisely, and stay away from using garters and 4 inch stilletos, you can actually pull of a party-but-not-too-slutty look. But then again, there is a sort of freedom in being able to dress sexily every once in a while. Is being sexy liberating, or objectifying? Some women may say it makes them feel like they have more power, and feel more free. Some may say that doing that makes them feel like they're selling themselves. That's an arguement that really has no answer, since it can be argued either way. It's then up to the individual to decide how they feel about it.
It's messy, but read anyway:
ART
Also, in art- in ancient times as well as the renaisance, women's bodies were adored-scultpures, paintings, the works. But now, photography or paintings are put on the no-no list of the U.S. to show to kids. But why? I never understood what was wrong with the beauty of people's bodies. Why is the body something that society tries to make us ashamed of? It's a big debate when it comes to book-censoring, sex ed, etc. as well.
By the way, this is one of my favorite paintings (its quite famous)- it's called "Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bumblebee around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening", by Salvador Dali (1944).
1920s
Also, I'd like to point out that the teenagers and twentiers in the 1920's that took the stand to dress however they like, (which was considered slutty back then), by today's standards would be modest. But why did they do it? Well, they wanted to have fun. They took the "we may die tomorrow" look on life, so they danced (which was made easier by shorter dresses), put on makeup, and kissed boys (only kissed, not much else- but pecking a guy who you weren't engaged to was considered promiscuous back then). Well, we have to give thanks to them for giving women the power to go out and party, and socialize. Back then, being sexy to the newer generations was being powerful. To the older generations who dissaproved of the flappers and new clothing, it was objectifying.
(That's Clara Bow, a New Yorker, and I love her)
I mean, standards are constantly changing. Could it be that the standards for sexual freedom are changing in some parts of the world, and the government is just trying to hold back that change for as long as they can? Who knows.
Okay, so it's a lot to go by, but I'm sure if someone tried argueing with me they could find plenty of points to argue against - I mean, I don't have ultra clear opinions, but it's more like food for thought. These are things I often think about, so any feedback/arguement is well appreciated.
Thanks for reading!
-New York Chique
