This is not my typical blog post, but I just saw the picture below and it sparked my interest. I saw it and I really started thinking about society and how everything works. Women in society have been degraded for generations, from the beginning of time. For goodness gracious, Eve is blamed for taking the temptation and “making” Adam do the same, in the Bible! Women are used as sexual objects and prizes for men, and it’s unacceptable. What I’ve never seemed to understand is how men degraded “their” woman. It’s mind boggling. Women are gifts, and should be treated as such. When I first read this, I started thinking about how true it is. And how men are viewed as “players” when they are able to maintain relations (sexual and non-sexual) with multiple women at one time, but if a women does the same she’s labelled as a whore. By definition a whore is a prostitute, someone who is selling their body for sex and is able to be male and female (people often forget that part too). The whole idea that one are objects not only reflects the bigotry of the patriarchical society. I’m saying all of this to say, that it’s time for a change. The change has been stimulating for a long time, but it’s finally time for an enlightenment, a second revolution (the first gave women rights). This second revolution will even the wages for women (don’t even get me started on that) and allow us to receive the respect we so rightfully deserve. Another thing about respect is that it shouldn’t be an option. I’ve never viewed it as an option, because I will be respected. In turn, I will respect you, as a person and your opinion (and I will respectfully voice mine). Women especially have to have self-respect, due to the society present today. Men have been indirectly taught by their fathers and other males that females don’t deserve respect and are objects. Women learn that they have to respect themselves to not be taken advantage of (funny right? Women are taught to act differently so that men treat them the way they should be treated). Women are taught that virginity means everything and to males it means nothing, and that you should lose it as fast as possible. The views that society has painted are not only crazy but unrealistic. But back to the picture, I like the picture because it not only makes you think but you can really understand how realistic it is. Everyone knows that guys brag about sex, so much so many young ladies are scared to lose their virginity due to fear of humiliation or being “exposed”. It’s just crazy to me, and then people react to it and say “well she shouldn’t have been doing that”. Maybe, but he doesn’t have been doing that either. So next time someone says a sexist remark like that, call them out on it. Fight the (wo)man who is holding you down! Also, one thing I hate is dress codes. I’m talking about not allowing women to wear shorts or tank tops because it’s “distracting”. I had this big argument on the last week of junior year with my art class because they were sending girls out for wearing crop tops! I was outraged because it’s so sexist. First off it’s their body, and they should be allowed to dress it however they please. Also, I am seventeen years old, and if you are sexualizing me YOU ARE THE PROBLEM. That’s what people don’t get, at school you should feel safe and comfortable, not afraid of being sexualized. I blame the parents and society. You should have been taught to respect, but it’s never too late to learn. Treat others the way you want to be treated! Stay respectful!