There is a facebook conversation about sexual objects and men. Can men be sexual objects? The consensus seems to be that men cannot be sexual objects as women are. The conversation seems to be that when men are viewed as objects they are put on pedestal as a person whereas women are mere sexual objects. Women aren't remembered for their personality or what they do, but as sexual bodies. This discussion was brought up by the ALS challenge. Bucket of icy water is thrown over an actor or actress to raise awareness and funds for good cause. I agree that these causes are good, but I don't like the method. These are basically wet t-shirt contests for money. How is this different than a car wash with young women in bikinis? They are more widespread, I admit and lots of famous people are taking part in this. I still don't see the difference! It was even sadder, when one of the support groups I am in, were talking that we would need to do something similar to get attention and awareness to this condition as well. I don't have an issue to being in a bikini to get awareness to my cause and my illnesses but I'm saddened that to get them, someone would need to be half naked!
This ALS challenge lead the conversation to men's nakedness and how it's viewed. The attitude to women's barely covering themselves is not equal to men's. Men take their clothes off, it's alright. It's a person taking off their clothes. He still has his personality and character. Woman takes off her clothes, it becomes who she is. Is woman's sexuality and power that feared? Women have been feared for hundreds of years. We are the giver of life. We have power that men can't dream of! And when Christianity was in full force, we were deemed the deceiver who took the apple. I mean seriously!! We have come a long way from this but there is still long way to go! I don't think women's body will be equal footing with man's until the generations who were taught to believe women aren't equal have died.
There was an excellent timing with this topic. I was just doing an essay where part of the subject was women and our sexuality in specific culture. They (I can't speak about us, because I might be a woman, I'm not part of this particular culture) were very free sexwise. They could have sex with the person they chose and it was part of the culture. They had the power to choose and be free. Today and here, woman can't do that. She would get instantly stamp of being a slut! What is worse, is that men are more than allowed to sleep around! I don't exactly understand the morality of this. If men are supposed to sleep with lots of different people, are they supposed to be sleeping with other men since women are considered to be sluts if we partake in this? I think I need to cool down and get off my soap box for a while..
Update: I accidentally came across the reason for the bucket of ice water. It is a good reason and I get it but it still don't enterily like the challenge. It is a good cause and doing a stunt to raise awareness is a good thing but it's still too artificial for my taste. If anyone is reading this, you should check Sir Patrick Steward's contribution to the challenge, it's brilliant!
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