How much does body image effect sexual liberation in the United States?
by on Apr.27, 2009, under General
Sex is still a bit taboo in the states compared to other European countries. We can see that in foreign films, books, news, and more. Why isn't the US more liberated sexual? When do you think this freedom will occur? And how do you feel it correlates with body image? (The notion that you have to be thin to be beautiful.)
I was discussing body image and how it related to our sexual repression with some friends and I was curious on everyone's take.
April 27th, 2009 on 10:35 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that our body image is related to our sexual repression. That's what I was going to say - that body image doesn't AFFECT sexual liberation, it IS A REFLECTION of our sexual liberation (or as you said, lack thereof). I think Europeans are brought up with less sexual taboos, there's a lot more affection (kissing and hugging all your friends and relatives hello ALL THE TIME), they're not so anal about under-age teens having a drink at one of their wild family parties, always dancing).
Sexuality is our life force and when we are brought up to repress it it takes away from all aspects of our life. Studies have shown that teens who have sexually matured from masturbation to intercourse are much brighter, vivacious, athletic, happier and don't get into trouble like other teens with unreleased, raging hormones do. As teens mature into sexual beings, if you do not have good self-esteem and confidence you begin to reject your growing sexuality and all the attention it brings. Weak girls cave and they develop eating disorders or extreme behaviour, like acting and dressing like sluts (this is so they can LOOK like they're sexually all-that because deep down inside they don't FEEL or BELIEVE it), and then they fall prey to guys who use girls, or pimps, etc. The more you embrace your growing, powerful, awesome feminine sexuality, the more confident you become, and when you are truly sexually empowered no one can take advantage of you and you will be way more likely to treat sex a little more sacredly than others and wait until you have feelings for someone, rather than doing it to feed your ego or be popular or because you gave in to pressure. Warning though, more and more men (including the idiots) will flock around you, and women will be jealous and try to knock you down for your sex appeal. (It scares them because they don't have any).
About being "thin to be beautiful" - so wrong. More and more women are letting themselves be voluptuous, and I personally think most men like that shape the best. Whatever your body type, wear it with confidence and you will be sexy (even if you're fat - trust me, I've seen way more sexier fat women, then sexy skinny women.) (Sorry for the essay, it was just such a good question that got me thinking). Be as sexy as you can - eventually, not even construction workers will whistle at you.