Florida Atlantic University’s National Organization for Women (NOW) & Graciously Leaving a Mark (GLAM) Discuss the Pressures of Being a Woman
Every day women are confronted with new and worsening demands by society to conform to certain level of class. In a discussion between the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Graciously Leaving a Mark (GLAM), two organizations at Florida Atlantic University, controversial topics such as cosmetic surgery to feminine health were minded.
These are matters women must face everyday. Should a women go under the knife to enhance her features? Is she doing it for herself? Why is a woman’s body hair considered nasty or dirty?
Women are confronted with a certain type of pressure and shame to always feel the need to look good or presentable, hold an act like some sort of character, and birth children as if that is their only purpose. Women are affected more and more each day. These are the conversations that should have happened and should be happening.
“I think it’s a bold statement to ask if women should opt to being natural,” a NOW representative stated. When asked if too much plastic surgery was excessive, they continued to speak on body dysmorphia and how these procedures actually help all types of women feel better about themselves psychologically. “It also comes from a place of society making us feel bad about ourselves.”
On the topic of race, buying makeup has even become a way to make women feel less than while attempting to uplift. Many do not realize the type of language that is used for women with darker skin tones and the lack of variety. A GLAM representative commented on how most fairer complexions get names like ivory and pearl, while darker complexions always tend to be related to food such as honey or dark chocolate.
Women wear makeup to feel better about themselves, but at what cost? Women are told that their bodies natural tendencies could make them undesirable. So naturally women shave or wax and put themselves through great pain usually for the satisfaction of society. “People view shaved bodies as clean bodies,” a GLAM representative added.
The issues listed only touch on merely a handful of problems women deal with a daily basis. A NOW representative mentioned that it can seem almost impossible to be content with yourself when indulged in a patriarchal society. When will it be enough?
