The non-consensual sexualisation of young women is a growing
epidemic in our society, from school dress codes stating that young girls
cannot wear strappy tops in the summer to clothing choices being an excuse for
the sexual violation of the female body, and, with nude photos like the one
recently released of Jennifer Lawrence being taken ever more frequently, it is
a problem which needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Before I say anything more, I would like to mention that I
have not seen the photo and do not wish to see the photo, and the image will
not be linked anywhere in this discussion. I do not want to take any part in
the commodification of this or any other young woman’s body when their consent
has not been fully ascertained, and I urge you to do the same. Please do not
google Jennifer Lawrence nudes, do not give websites which publish this image
the hit counts, do not buy media which distributes this, or any other non-consensual
nude image. Thanks.
The prevalence of images like this exists off the back of paparazzi
culture, and the thinking if you choose to step into the public, if you choose
to open up any part of your life to the world, then you have to give up all
parts of your life. This is, of course, a ridiculous thought process.
Ultimately all humans have the right to privacy, whether or not they have
chosen to allow the media or general public into a small aspect of their life, and
this right should be respected. This is particularly true of young women, and
it is young women whose right is most frequently disregarded.
I recently saw a series of facebook comments about the
Jennifer Lawrence image, the first stating that Lawrence looks ‘banging’, and
the second stating that if they were that good looking they would happily be
naked all over the internet. Whilst that is perfectly valid choice, it is, in
fact, a choice. Jennifer Lawrence had no choice over these images being
released. She may have taken the images, but she didn't give her consent for them to be shared. This society has an awful tradition
of taking non-consensual nude pictures of young women and excusing it because
they are considered good looking. This mentality is damaging to women
everywhere, not least Lawrence’s young fans. These fans see that the female
body can be used (without the will or consent of the female) as a commodity to
gain web hits or sell magazines.
However, this line of thought is even more disgusting when
placed against the media criticism of people like Miley Cyrus. Cyrus has been
exposed to media vitriol, perhaps because she has full power over her body and
she actively chose to reveal it in her ‘Wrecking Ball’ video. The society which
shrugs off the non-consensual nudes of Lawrence as a fact of celebrity life
(and it’s okay because she’s ‘banging’) is the same society which condemns the
nudity of Miley Cyrus – who reveals her body out of choice.
Yes, Jennifer Lawrence is a beautiful young women, but if
she wanted to share her naked body with the world shouldn’t that be her choice?
Answer: Yes. We need to protect the privacy of young women and we need to
respect their power over their own bodies.
Paparazzi celebrity culture as a whole is dangerous and
damaging, but this is one of its most damaging aspects. We as consumers need to
stop the demand for these kinds of images, and speak out loudly against them.
Once the media realise that this is not what people want to see, they will stop
seeking out the images.
If you as a consumer do want to see naked women, there are
plenty of consensual photos for you to look at.
This post has taken the place of my August Wrap-up and
September TBR, which will now be the next post you’ll see. Thank you for taking
the time to read this, and if you have any comments feel free to leave them
below or tweet me @VickiMaitland.
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