Raunch Culture

Like Alex said above, Ariel Levy's Female Chauvinist Pigs, discusses how women have changed the way they think about how and what it means to express their sexuality. Levy states that only thirty years ago "Our mothers were 'burning their bras'" (Levy,3). Now women are purposely dressing scandalously and asking to be put on camera with very little clothing or none. I do not think Levy has specifically asked the question why this has happened, at least not in the introduction or the first chapter. Instead, in these first 50 or so pages, she gives examples of how society has transformed from the once very conservative to the now more liberal society that it is.

Levy does however begin to question if we (our society) is post-feminist. Yet, by reading between the lines one might begin to think that Levy does not believe this. That this new culture is not representative of being post-feminist, but may in fact be a step backward. Her writing style, what she chooses to italicize and the examples she uses allows the reader to come to this conclusion.

At many times throughout this reading I agreed with Levy. Are women really more liberated and empowered because they feel comfortable enough with themselves to display all their "goodies" to anyone who asks? Yet, at the same time I also see the other point. It takes a large amount of confidence to go out and wear these "scandals outfits". Like my mother always told me when we went shopping for cloths "If you are not comfortable in this it shows." Now this didn't mean my mother was pushing raunchy cloths at me, quite the opposite. I am just saying the women who choose to wear short skirts or low cut tops have a certain air about them, they are confident. It appears that more women are taking control of their own sexuality and their way of displaying their sexuality. Having control over this means they have power to make this choice, thus they are empowered. The one thing, that I would think, all feminist strive to promote is empowerment and equality.

I think there is more to this than what we have read. I found it very interesting that GGW (Girls Gone Wild) videotapes young women when they are completely intoxicated. (Yes I knew this already, I think what they have to say about it is interesting). Most to all of us have probably done something we wished we hadn't while under the influence. So for me, it's somewhat insulting that this organization gloats on how women are so comfortable with themselves. If this was the case why don't they video tape women who are sober? They probably wouldn't have the same reaction from girls or have girls be so willing to expose themselves for a measly "hat". I think that since GGW and other organizations similar to it there has been a new culture of younger girls seeing this and thinking its completely appropriate. What women choose to do is their choice, if someone is comfortable with that than great... but I do not think it's right to say it is the norm. Saying it is the norm, may make other girls feel like they have to do this, and that is not the case. To be empowered means to make your own choices on what you think is right for you.