Janessa
Sklavos
March 10, 2015 I refuse to be oppressed because of my sex. Females are strongly criticized on a day­to­day basis. e are expected to look and act a certain way just to fit in with society’s version of ‘normal’ and beautiful. If we do not end up meeting those expectations, we become unwanted and excluded by others. That day, I did not want to feel like I had to meet the expectations that are given to woman.
Each culture has a specific guideline for woman, this doesn’t just happen to us, but it happens to men as well. Century after century, the perfect woman has been defined by different means. For instance, the way we perceive woman in the 21st century is different than how they did in the 18th century. During that time women were more voluptuous. They had curves and an attitude to match. In modern day America, most women are so insecure with their looks because ads,commercials, and people themselves give the impression that if you are not slim, then you are not wanted. This not only affects women physically but emotionally as well. This is how a lot of eating disorders come in to play such as: dieting and bulimia. Around 91% of women are unhappy with their body and let their imperfections take over, this is linked with self­esteem. Adolescents that are not taught to be confident and comfortable with themselves can lead to numerous activities that impact their lives forever such as: early sexual activity, abusing drugs and alcohol, suicidal thoughts and many other acts that could possibly put them at risk. I was in 8th grade that I became more self aware of how I carried myself and how I was put into that box that my body did not meet.
Walking through the halls of my middle school always gave me the chills. Not because
I was afraid of something, the energy and vibe of middle school is different than elementary of course. Standing 5 feet tall and being always on the petite side has it pros and cons. I have always been confident with who I am as a person and my body. I am extremely thankful for how my mother raised me; not to worry about what others have to say and to learn to love yourself first. I remember this day clear as glass. It was a nice day, there was a breeze but not unbearable, besides there being a ton of clouds it was like sitting on the beach in the middle of September. I was walking by myself to the lunch room, all I could smell was the overwhelming scent of pizza. when I stumbled upon a group of 7 guys. I knew the guys would check out the girls, and that everyone was obsessed with having the biggest butt. Being really tiny, I have never been blessed with the curves that other women are able to have. As I walked past the group of guys I heard them whispering to one another.
“You have no cakes,” shouted the first guy. Hearing these words at the time didn’t have much of an impact on me then, but over time it did. I turned back around to the group of guys and stared at them for a minute.
“Why are you looking then!” I yelled in retaliation. Complete silence was upon us. I stood up for myself and it felt good. It made me feel like I was in control.
“Why are you wearing shorts when you do not have an a**,” questioned the same guy.
“I am not wearing these for you darling,” I replied.
“ Well duh who would want you? You got no a**!” said the guy.
“Yeah you are totally right. But if you can get a girlfriend with your small pen*s then I can get a guy without my a**,” I responded.
I quickly walked into the nearest hallway, and had a ‘self reflection’ on the event that had just happened. I was more irritated and frustrated then a student who studied all night just to get told that they failed the test. I could overhear the guys making fun of his friend after what I had just said. I was happy that I got a chance to be who I was, to be Janessa. Anyone that knows me, knows I am notorious to speak my mind even if it isn’t in the best situation. This is not the only time these words have been thrown my way. A similar situation happened earlier my junior year and a more recent experience with my mom has happened a few days ago. This experience with my mother, let me knew that you should never push someone to the past the point of breaking. Never push someone to the point where they don’t care about what happens to them. But I’ve learned to block that out. Thats a standard that personally I am held up to by others. I have to be this happy and jumpy person that everyone knows. If I show one ounce of my sadness, people worry and I am one to give the advice and the shoulder to cry on not the other way around. The situation is something that happened that I still reflect on to this day. I have learned that in order to love ourselves, we must be happy on the inside. And that is that way I am. I like to promote happiness, because someone should never have to live a sad life. Overall, this experience has shaped me to become more of a confident person. If you aren’t comfortable in the body that you are in or accept it, then you will never learn to love another person. This society is really good at making women feel worthless because of the way that we look, and we allow guys to treat us that way. If we as women actually stood together and learned to put one another up rather than tear each others spirits down, maybe the men in our lives would have more respect for us, rather than treat us like garbage like they currently do. Guys have learned to support each other whether it has to do with women and them cheating or financial.
That is why we cannot have a female president because America is still stuck in that mentality that men are the superior sex.