My friend Peter and I decided to do a post collaboration on the subject of objectification of women. This is a good subject for people to read two perspectives on, especially when they're from both a man and a woman. Go check out his post (it's really good): Objects of Use? - Collaboration with Love Of Mine at Profoundnessity
It wasn't too long ago that I read a movie review for Gimme Shelter, which Vanessa Hudgens stars in. She's been in some really obscene films in the past, but supposedly this latest one is worthy of merit. The review talked about how it seems like a lot of actresses who become popular at a young age and have a good-girl reputation have to appear in some scandalous film to prove their worth to Hollywood.
Since I read the article, I've been thinking about the truth of it. The media and society has taken what beauty is, and has turned it into something ugly. Girls are so often told that to be considered beautiful and to have any value, they "need" to devalue themselves to the extreme. They "need" to become sexual objects. And, it's horrible, because the girls believe it. Most of the time, we're not trying to make ourselves objects, we're just buying into the scam that says to get love from the men and to have worth, we need to wear next to nothing, and flirt, and generally act "sexy". We feel pressured because that's "what the guys want." But is it true? Do guys really want a girl who's going to degrades herself and believe a lie? Do girls want the guy who does applaud that? One problem with dressing to attract attention is that it will, a lot of guys will be drawn to a girl who shows off her body. But the kind of guys that is allured by a showy girl is the kind of guy who will be allured by other showy girls. And chances are, as soon as a "prettier", less covered up girl comes along, he'll go after her. Personally, I do not want a guy who loves me just for my physical appearance. What's going to stop him from loving another girl for the same reason?
"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1st Peter 3:3-4
God is telling us where true beauty lies. He is telling us what makes a woman valuable, precious. It's not what she wears, it's not what hairstyle she does, it's not her jewelry; it's her heart. When I see a girl who loves the Lord, I see beauty. When I see someone who serves God and others selflessly and gladly, I see more than the prettiness of her face, I see the loveliness of her spirit.
The thing is, beauty and value are not defined by how many heads you turn or how many guys whistle at you as you walk down the street. That's the kind of attention that is objectifying, the attention that just wants to be visually and physically pleased and will drop you once it is--or is simply no longer--satisfied. Beauty doesn't have anything to do with the guys anyway. Yes, men will be pleased by a pretty woman, but are we trying to please them, or are we trying to please God? Man sees the outward appearance; God sees the heart.
I think objectification is a horrible thing not just because it devalues the women, but because it teaches a lie. Society has bought into the lie, and we're all being told that beauty is what your body looks like. And we're told that if our bodies aren't a size zero or our waists aren't 13 inches, we're not beautiful!
Well hey, our bodies were made to glorify God, the Beautiful One we're made in the image of. And our bodies will grow old. And our physical beauty will fade. Which is why it's so important to focus less on fleeting external beauty, and more on the lasting beauty of the heart. I'm not a pro at this. I forget that God cares about the inside because I want to look pretty on the outside. I need the reminder that He isn't looking at the clothes or the hair. However, I'm not saying that girls can't dress prettily. I believe it's perfectly fine to braid my hair or wear jewelry. I very much enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion. But, I don't believe it's fine to obsess over my appearance, to dress in a way that will wrongfully attract the attention of others, or to act in a manner that is not fitting to a Christian young lady.
I believe every girl is beautiful, and I want her to know that she's loved by Someone who not only created her and knows her flaws, but who isn't looking at her weight or size. Girls, don't believe the lie that says to have worth you have to be a sex object. You were made for so much more. You don't have to be anxious over what you'll wear; seek the kingdom of God first. And there, with Him, you will find true Beauty.
It wasn't too long ago that I read a movie review for Gimme Shelter, which Vanessa Hudgens stars in. She's been in some really obscene films in the past, but supposedly this latest one is worthy of merit. The review talked about how it seems like a lot of actresses who become popular at a young age and have a good-girl reputation have to appear in some scandalous film to prove their worth to Hollywood.
Since I read the article, I've been thinking about the truth of it. The media and society has taken what beauty is, and has turned it into something ugly. Girls are so often told that to be considered beautiful and to have any value, they "need" to devalue themselves to the extreme. They "need" to become sexual objects. And, it's horrible, because the girls believe it. Most of the time, we're not trying to make ourselves objects, we're just buying into the scam that says to get love from the men and to have worth, we need to wear next to nothing, and flirt, and generally act "sexy". We feel pressured because that's "what the guys want." But is it true? Do guys really want a girl who's going to degrades herself and believe a lie? Do girls want the guy who does applaud that? One problem with dressing to attract attention is that it will, a lot of guys will be drawn to a girl who shows off her body. But the kind of guys that is allured by a showy girl is the kind of guy who will be allured by other showy girls. And chances are, as soon as a "prettier", less covered up girl comes along, he'll go after her. Personally, I do not want a guy who loves me just for my physical appearance. What's going to stop him from loving another girl for the same reason?
"Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." ~1st Peter 3:3-4
God is telling us where true beauty lies. He is telling us what makes a woman valuable, precious. It's not what she wears, it's not what hairstyle she does, it's not her jewelry; it's her heart. When I see a girl who loves the Lord, I see beauty. When I see someone who serves God and others selflessly and gladly, I see more than the prettiness of her face, I see the loveliness of her spirit.
The thing is, beauty and value are not defined by how many heads you turn or how many guys whistle at you as you walk down the street. That's the kind of attention that is objectifying, the attention that just wants to be visually and physically pleased and will drop you once it is--or is simply no longer--satisfied. Beauty doesn't have anything to do with the guys anyway. Yes, men will be pleased by a pretty woman, but are we trying to please them, or are we trying to please God? Man sees the outward appearance; God sees the heart.
I think objectification is a horrible thing not just because it devalues the women, but because it teaches a lie. Society has bought into the lie, and we're all being told that beauty is what your body looks like. And we're told that if our bodies aren't a size zero or our waists aren't 13 inches, we're not beautiful!
Well hey, our bodies were made to glorify God, the Beautiful One we're made in the image of. And our bodies will grow old. And our physical beauty will fade. Which is why it's so important to focus less on fleeting external beauty, and more on the lasting beauty of the heart. I'm not a pro at this. I forget that God cares about the inside because I want to look pretty on the outside. I need the reminder that He isn't looking at the clothes or the hair. However, I'm not saying that girls can't dress prettily. I believe it's perfectly fine to braid my hair or wear jewelry. I very much enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion. But, I don't believe it's fine to obsess over my appearance, to dress in a way that will wrongfully attract the attention of others, or to act in a manner that is not fitting to a Christian young lady.
I believe every girl is beautiful, and I want her to know that she's loved by Someone who not only created her and knows her flaws, but who isn't looking at her weight or size. Girls, don't believe the lie that says to have worth you have to be a sex object. You were made for so much more. You don't have to be anxious over what you'll wear; seek the kingdom of God first. And there, with Him, you will find true Beauty.
<3 Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you. =)
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