Women, so long the focus of male sexual objectification, are keen to recast the standards, significance, and sexist humor about their chests.
Women have long been told to cover up their sexy parts, as the world ogles them, sometimes to aggressive extremes. When there is a personal violation as egregious and disturbing as the recent one against Jennifer Lawrence and several other female celebrities, it can be nearly impossible to find levity.
But there is a growing trend of women reclaiming control of their bodies from society’s double-edged sword of shunning and sexualizing, especially when it comes to their breasts.
More women are not only talking about their breasts, but sharing images, stories, and humor around the life-giving organs all on their own terms. From posing for post-mastectomy portrait photos to online comedy sketches about boob sweat, women are starting new dialogues about breasts that let women share their insecurities, revel in their sensuality, and laugh at the inherent silliness of having these things with nipples that drive so much of the male gaze.
No two women have the same feelings towards their breasts, but is almost always unique to how they feel to any other part of their body because they are so laden with social and, specifically, sexual significance. Breasts are serious business, and that’s because they are serious sexual business.
“We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.” C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man
"No two women have the same feelings towards their breasts,"
But are their feelings for each breast the same as for the other? Or do they have a favorite breast?
Now I'm curious. Great topic, hopefully it will generate some conversation. thx Rev, I learned a little something today!
and hoping for more to come!
PS: I just googled 'breasts' and was COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED with the wonderful display
******************* "The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly." Abraham Lincoln
"The sanctity of human life before birth, the respect for our culture's religious underpinnings and the hallowedness of the M/F marital bond are all being stripped of their value and reduced to natural commodities with the sole purpose of serving our personal gratification."
Bras are the most needed, yet least donated item of clothing for women. Please help Soma and the National Network to End Domestic Violence support women in need. Simply bring new or gently worn bras to any Soma boutique across the country to benefit domestic violence shelters in your community.
A group of breast cancer survivors who had suffered through mastectomies learned about the campaign and donated all the bras they had left from before their surgery. How wonderful that survivors of breast cancer could support survivors of domestic violence! — ALTERNATIVES INCORPORATED | ANDERSON, INDIANA
A victim's husband had burned all of her underclothing as a means of humiliating her during the abuse. She was so thankful to receive new bras. — A SHELTER IN INDIANA
A 36-year-old woman stated she wasn't given enough money for food in the home and it had been four years since she bought a bra. She cried when presented with four beautiful bras of her choice. She told us she felt like a woman. — A SHELTER IN OHIO
Donating a bra (or buying a bra to donate) can make a world of difference
Front Porch Punditry
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Tue Sep 09, 2014 3:19 pm
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Front Porch Punditry
