Women Lose their Power in the Western Dresses
She echoed many of the thoughts I've had about the irony of the women's
movement with regard to the overt sexuality of many young women today, in
particular as personified by celebrities.
Our foremothers fought for freedom of choice. It's unfortunate that with all
the advantages women have gained, many women choose to dress in a way that
thwarts others' ability to deal with them at a respectful, meaningful level.
What's wrong with girls and women dressing provocatively for school and work is
that they seem to believe they gain some sort of power from the attention they
receive. The truth is, by offering themselves up first and foremost as eye
candy they are giving their true power away.
The underdressed, overtly sexual woman has set up a distraction that
overshadows her abilities, her personality, her worth
as a human being. Instead, whenever she flaunts her sexuality she risks being
judged for qualities that have nothing to do with who she is, what she
believes, or what capabilities she may bring to each endeavor.
Women and girls have always had to prove themselves
capable in every situation other than the sexual. Now, their sexuality being
front and center means they have to work that much harder to prove their true
worth.
There is something I'd like to say to mothers of young girls: Instead of being
proud that your daughter shows off the gloriously beautiful outer shell she has
been blessed with, guide her toward the understanding that it is the person she
is inside that is of much greater value. Teach her that she is more than a
sexual being. These lessons will hold her in good stead her entire lifetime,
and help her weather all of life's transitions, because as we all know, beauty
is fleeting and it's what's inside that really counts.
(Women’s Lib, Nancy Kranz, Chicago Tribune, September 3, 2006, Letters)