A word too loud and off she goes, burnt at the stake. An exposed ankle? Oh how revealing, she most definitely has to be a slut! Many say that women have never had it better, afforded with more rights and privileges than ever. In fact, many argue that the “radical leftists” and feminists have championed for so much feminism, to the point where men’s rights are stifled and encroached on. The balance has tipped the other way, perpetuating an unfair injustice, they say.
However, while women do have more social rights and freedom on paper, these liberties do not necessarily translate to emotional or psychological freedom.
On social media, we often see female creators glorified for pandering to the male gaze, with influencers such as Sophie Rain going viral for their adult content on OnlyFans. Impressionable young teens, surrounded by such a culture would only inevitably conflate ideas of their self worth with external male validation. This creates fertile ground for insecurity that seeks male attention, ultimately reinforcing the patriarchy in a subtler, yet more sinister manner.
Bonnie Blue, a famous porn-star, initially intended to create a “petting zoo” experience which allowed men to anything as they wished to her — a physical display of female subservience toward males. She highlights a form of regression: women indeed do have greater rights and empowerment, but yet still play roles for male pleasure. Furthermore, she reveals a form of internalised structural insecurity masked as “empowerment” and female autonomy.
Moreover, the global rise of democratic backsliding has disproportionately disempowered women, placing them at the forefront of regressive, illiberal policies. In the United States, populist leaders like Donald Trump often mobilise their religious base through emotionally charged rhetoric, invoking Christian values to garner support. However, this invocation of religion frequently serves as a tool to justify restrictive policies. Most recently, he has rescinded EMTALA guidance, disallowing women from having abortions even under life-threatening circumstances. To say that women have never had it better would be a gross misrepresentation — for their bodily autonomy is actively stripped away under the current administration.
Yes, we no longer have women accused for being witches burnt at the stake, but who needs witches when we have Trump, Bonnie Blue’s Petting Zoo and Sydney Sweeney’s Bathwater soap?
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