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This morning Mia Freedman posted this article about Kim Kardashian, slamming her for posting a photo of herself in a swimsuit with a bit of side boob and her arse in the air, all while being a mother. Personally, I have seen more flesh at my local shopping centre but that’s not the issue.
I am in two minds about the photo. On one hand I think if I had a body as rocking as hers so soon after giving birth then I would be getting around half naked too, but on the other I worry about that maybe she is contributing to the cheapening of women’s bodies in the celebrity world. Then I thought about it some more and came to a completely different conclusion.
It’s not my body. Let me explain. There is outcry upon outcry about young women in the entertainment industry cheapening themselves by showing off their sex appeal. Cries of how they are letting down the sisterhood by using their physical assets to make a buck. These celebrities are called whores, sluts and a plethora of other derogatory names intended to shame the target. However, as a friend said to me, they are only responding to demand, sex sells. It has for a long time and my guess is that it will for a long time into the future.
What does that mean for body image? It means that we need to take responsibility for our own actions. We can’t force anyone to act the way that we deem is acceptable, it breaks basic fundamental human rights. What we can do is be the example we want the world to be. Show the young women in our lives that you can be physically attractive and intelligent. A woman doesn’t need to dumb themselves down to appear more attractive.
We want the women of today to love their bodies, but in the next breath there is body shaming because a woman doesn’t adhere to a societal constraint of what a woman, a woman who may also be a mother, should dress like. You can’t have it both ways. No one, except Kim Kardashian, knows why she chose to post that photo on her Instagram. Who are we to judge? If she did post it because she felt it was the only way to receive praise then maybe she needs more people in her life who respect her brains as much as her looks. Or more simply, maybe she just posted it because she looks hot..and I have to say she does!
As a mother to a boy, I also feel that is is my job to teach him that women deserve respect, regardless of what their physical attributes may be. A woman who posts photos of herself in provocative poses is no less deserving of respect than any other woman. A photo of a woman that shows her breasts or arse, is not an invitation to leave lewd comments and I hope that this a message that he will also pass onto his children.
Body image, it starts within yourself. Shaming and judgement does nothing for another persons self esteem. While there is still a culture of slut shaming, the body acceptance movement will be stagnant.
What do you think of the sex sells image? Do you think that celebrities need to set a better example or are we just shifting the blame?
Hi Tegan, you make a really good point. I’m big on trying to not to judge others and I think in this case she (Kim) deserves some respect and freedom to make her own calls on what or how she posts on social media. As you say, only she knows why she did it. Would I do it, probably not, but noone would care if I did it or not either!
As for Mia, I used to be a big fan but lately I feel she is being too judgmental of others and is all about causing a reaction from her readers. Which I guess comes down to business doesn’t it? But really, there are better ways to share your opinion really.
I stopped reading Mamamia for that reason. The articles were about getting the readers angry and click bait. There was no substance anymore.
Well honestly I think most ‘sex sells’ images are of unattractive people, and therefore don’t work for me. I’m still not exactly sure who any of that family of people are, or why they’re “famous”, but it’s something to do with reality tv I think? In which case, I would view it more as an attempt to keep their brand pumping before the next show/whatever it is they do.
Yep that was my thought too. I hardly think it’s an attempt to make herself feel better, nor do I think it makes her look like a porn star.
Oh, I thought of an analogy – this is a reality star’s equivalent of a corporate woman going to a networking breakfast while on maternity leave…
You make some interesting points here. Where there is a demand there will always be a supply. Sex has always sold and always will and here is a woman who has always made her money this way.
I liked your point in particular about teaching our boys to respect woman whether they chose to pose provocatively or not. That is so true.
And she has made millions from doing it. While a lot of people write her off as stupid, she can’t be too stupid if she has managed to make so much money off her looks. She has built and empire!
While Kim’s a grown woman, and I’m sure she knows exactly what she’s doing, I wish I could unsee this picture because it’s just not nice! But for me the stand out thing in that article was Mia’s ridiculous attempt to justify using a fire analogy quote while our state burned out of control simply because it had been written earlier. It’s the internet, stuff can be edited in a nanosecond. Poor form Mia.
Yes I thought that was quite inappropriate too.
Agree with this piece. Particularly “We want the women of today to love their bodies, but in the next breath there is body shaming because a woman doesn’t adhere to a societal constraint of what a woman, a woman who may also be a mother, should dress like.”
I read this article and it didn’t sit well with me. Who is Mia Freedman to judge Kim Kardashian, or anyone’s choice of clothing for that matter? I don’t understand the holier than thou attitude. Private opinion is one thing, but publicly writing a derogatory article because of her personal opinion… how disrespectful and rude. Mia Freedman is not the god-ordained judge on matters-of-appropriate-women’s-clothing.
Totally agree with you Teagan – we must teach our children to respect women (and men) on the basis of their humanity, not on their outward appearance.
We must definitely teach our children that it is what is on the inside that counts not what a person wears.
First of all, Mamamia? GAH! Don’t read it. I think she’s a hate mongerer and a shit stirrer, to be completely honest! I didn’t see anything wrong with the Kardashian picture. Miley Cyrus concerns me a bit, but lots of people think she’s being clever, and all this attention she’s getting has sold albums and made her money. I think as long as you’re not hurting anyone, as long as you are confident in your actions and can look at yourself in the mirror and sleep soundly at night, do whatever you think you need to. You’re the one that has to pay the consequences.
Great article Tegan. I am in two minds about what celebrities should and shouldn’t wear and what message it sends to other people. On one hand I believe any woman famous or not should be able to wear what she wants as an expression of who she is, yet on the other hand I am concerned about the generation coming through secondary school now, who as young teens, they can wear clothing, or lack there of, to look like they are 18 or 21 years old. These young teens have lost their way in not wanting to be a young teen, but rather want to look like an adult…..its an interesting debate, not sure where I sit on this one…..