my Body Beautiful        

Not so long ago, the term feminism encompassed the empowering of women; in the home, at work and at play. The very word ‘feminism’ was synonymous with self worth, self respect and self esteem. How times have changed.

Today, many women view feminism as signifying their freedom to let it all hang out (literally), drink themselves into a stupor (matching and even surpassing male counterparts) followed by indiscriminate sexual activity. This inappropriate behaviour is carried out under the banner of freedom of choice, while in reality they are unconscious puppets of our sex, physical appearance, material wealth and celebrity obsessed culture.

Sex and sexiness is now shaping our society and impacts the way the young view society and their role within it. The media have promoted the belief that raunchy overt sexual behaviour can make you rich and famous. E.g. Paris Hilton shot to fame on the back of a sex video. A resent study found that 63% of young girls between the ages of 15 and 19, cited being a ‘glamour mode’ which involves posing naked or particularly clothed as their ideal career of choice. A newly enhanced (breast implants) Louise from the the recent series of ‘From Ladette to Lady’ had chosen this line of work as a way of earning a living. We therefore need to ask ourselves “how is resurrecting every stereotype of female sexuality, that feminism endeavoured to banish, good for women?”

[Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture by Ariel Levy].

 

In the summer of last year the Telegraph highlighted the issue with an article titled ‘Teenage sex crisis due to drink and drugs' . It’s alarming that girls (the daughters of women who worked hard to achieve equal status with men in the work place) now aspire be a celebrity (having done nothing of worth to achieve the status), WAG or glamour model. In the mean time, they dream about tomorrow and shop until they drop, dressed in skirts that only just covers their underwear… assuming they are wearing underwear!

 

Sadly it doesn’t end there. The reports of teenage girls giving sexual favours to the boys while at school are on the rise. Also on the rise, is the rate of teenage pregnancies and sexual infections. Britain is now in the unenviable position of having the highest rates of both in Europe. A government funded report concluded that there was "no national and joined up Government approach" aimed at effectively dealing with the teenage (sex, drink & drugs) problem.

Did women do this to themselves by subscribing to the sexual revolution of the '60s and '70s? Looking at our sex driven society today, it certainly appears that equality with men has disastrously backfired and has instead made sexual slaves of the next generation of women.

If women specially young women and teenage girls really felt empowered and in control, would body image and eating disorders be on the rise?

mybodybeautiful’s aim is to help females to value themselves and strive to accomplish their full potential, without conforming to the current ‘ladette’ / ‘slut culture’ that permeates our society. The more females that take a stand and join us and other organisations with the same goal, the greater the likelihood that their peers will wake up and realise that there is a different and much more rewarding way to utilise the benefits of womanhood and personal choice.

 

Admin: Below is an email response that we received for this article.  From LynG (Lyn also posts on our forum)

In response to your article Feminist and Ladettes I must say that I whole heartedly agree with you. I feel that women today have somehow lost themselves in their quest for equality with men.

The emotional and spiritual side of sex seems to have been over shadowed in the quest for physical fulfilment.

As a woman my emotional needs are equal to and at times far exceed my physical needs. Therefore Love, Respect, Commitment and Desire are for me essential ingredients for a satisfying physical relationship.

I listen in total disbelief to friends complaining about lack of respect. Phone calls not returned. Cancelled dates from men they have known for only 2, 3, 4 – 10 days, and yet are sexually involved with.

To me it’s plain insanity that they continue with the same behaviour, yet expecting different results.

Respect starts with you. If you don’t respect yourself then no one else will.

There is a spiritual law that states “WHAT A MAN SOWETH, SO SHALL HE REAP”.

Make sure you sow respect among your seeds.