Naked, naked, Instagram – breasts, butts and the like are the best sellers on social media. Sex sells, right? Our author is in a conflict as to whether she should view the exposure of the body as an act of feminism and body positivity, or that it is just a pretext to conform to the male gauze.
When I recently opened Instagram, the photo literally jumped in my face: Student and Instagram celebrity Lisa Straube in a pink lace bra. I could hardly take my eyes off those beautiful breasts and so it was probably for most of the people. I was a little amazed why she posted this photo. If you compare your previous pictures with the latest, the freedom of movement stands out very much. Her message: Fuck other people’s opinions and love your body the way it is.
As I scrolled through the comments, in addition to a lot of love for her great figure, I also found the criticism: “Does she really need it?” or “It’s just cheap”. Well, many people I know would probably say exactly the same thing. I expected these kinds of comments, and I bet Lisa did too. As we all know, Cathy Hummels, for example, often makes headlines with nudity. Do you think the same comments are piling up under your photos?
Cathy is often under fire – because of her body, her parenting methods or her lifestyle. On the other hand, there are fewer comments or criticisms that she shows too much bare skin. Cathy either deletes them or there are simply none. Even though she shows herself in a bikini! Isn’t that just as naked? So is Lisa’s underwear problem? Your age? Or the size of her breasts?
Big breasts = cheap?
A woman who wears a tight dress or a wide neckline is not automatically perceived as cheap. If she has a large bust, the verdict could be different. But why is that actually the case? Do we want to use all our might to prevent the exposure of the female body? Well, then you wouldn’t make a distinction between cup sizes A and D. So is it about covering up feminine curves?
I was wondering where this fear of nudity comes from. I know these thoughts of myself all too well. I would never post a photo like that. I would never wear a too deep neckline or a dress that is too short – after all, nobody should think that I’m cheap or that I want to. And I used to condemn it when someone did it. Today I recognize the patriarchal structures on which these views are based. A value system that has burned itself into our DNA – quite subconsciously.
“It’s not what men want”
“If you show too much of yourself, you make yourself unattractive”, “Nobody wants a girlfriend who is easy to have”, “It is simply not appropriate for a decent woman to show too much skin”, “Men don’t want that “. All of these assumptions have an origin: The sexualization of women and their bodies. No? Then ask yourself this question: what if a man did exactly the same thing and posted a revealing photo? No cock crows when a man undoes a few buttons on his shirt. It would not be judged as a decay of morality, but simply for what it is: a naked body.
A naked body is not sexual in itself. He is something Natural. Patriarchy exists in all aspects of our life. However, the areas most affected are sexuality and nudity. But the resulting “male gauze”, that is, the male gaze, is no longer just a man’s thing. Many women adopt this patriarchal value system without questioning it. Because even with Lisa Straube’s photo, most of the nasty comments come from women.
It is perhaps the same women who find feminism unnecessary. The opponents of gender are. They are “not such emancies”, see everything as “chilled” and find blonde jokes funny. I do not find this objectionable, but simply recognize that these women have not penetrated or do not want to penetrate the effects of patriarchal society. They are not aware of the profound effects of the lack of equality, or they may not be bothered by it, and that’s okay too. But I have to make one thing clear: Anyone who does not want to be seen as a hysterical emancipation and therefore plays the cool on feminist topics in order to be well received by men, confirms the need for feminism. After all, if someone seemed to need endorsement from men to appreciate their self-worth, they would probably benefit most from feminism.
What is Lisa Straube and Cathy Hummels’ intention?
The female body is sexualized. That is deeply anchored in our society. Even if we wish that it wasn’t like that, it doesn’t change anything about the current situation. At the moment, showing nudity violates most of the social values principles.
The goal is to de-sexualize the female body and finally to look at it detached from the male gauze. The cultural demands on women limit their self-development. Because it’s not about walking the streets in a bra or posting photos like that on Instagram. It’s about the possibility of choice. To be able to do what you feel most comfortable with and not be judged for it.
There is still a long way to go before then. The question that arises for me is: Can you use the photos of Lisa Straube or Cathy Hummels as a Act of self-determination evaluate? That you want to break away from any patriarchal principles and feminist values at the center of attention? An announcement to all haters – a message for all body shamers? I very much wish for this intention.
But it could also be that both used this pretext to get around unassailable close. To attract attention, break a taboo and ultimately play by the rules of the game of Male Gaze. You don’t always have to believe hashtags like “Feminism”, “Body Positivity” or “Stop Slut Shaming”. It is also currently a trend to superficially advocate these values, but actually not to think or act according to these principles. I do not want to imply that neither Lisa Straube nor Cathy Hummels, but rather call for a critical examination and differentiation in general. Because honestly: I’m so sick of feminism washing!