When a bra strap is just a bra strap: Slut Shaming in schools
I remember in elementary/middle school teachers would call me out for my bra straps showing. In front of everyone. Being raised a feminist I would argue back with fervor. Why is the fact that I wear a bra offensive? It’s not inherently sexual that I’m a woman and therefore have breasts. This was usually met with an awkward silence followed by pretending they said nothing and walking away, since no teacher wants to argue touchy subjects like feminism with a student and be accused of sexism . I realize now that it has a name. Slut shaming. The idea that if a woman acts or dresses in a way that either is or implies sexuality, that she is a slut and therefore is less worthy of respect and decency than if she were “proper” or “well behaved” or in other words a stereotype instead of a living human being with thoughts, feelings, and entirely natural desires. I’m typing this out because I witnessed the same thing happen a few days ago and it’s really been bothering me. Why do schools feel they have the right to enforce such an outdated and possibly offensive rule? To single out a girl in front of a class of her peers to tell her how her bra strap is showing and thus she must go change to spare students and staff from seeing that *gasp* she is in fact wearing a bra. But most girls weren’t taught to speak up for themselves as I was. They sheepishly walk to their locker to go put a sweater on, even though it’s hotter than hell outside, while the rest of the girls in the class whisper to each other and perpetuate the never ending cycle. Of course, when I would speak up for myself, they would talk even more behind my back, because refusing to show ashamed feelings of my body made me such a slut. It’s based on an unspoken idea. That having breasts make you a “slut” It may seem like an extreme conclusion, but as someone who was bullied and harrassed for going through puberty early and having naturally larger breasts, I can tell you it’s the sad truth. And it hurts girls, in many different ways. Personally for myself, I grew to resent my body for the unwanted attention it gave me. And being a perfectionist, this manifested as an eating disorder I still struggle with to this day. I have heard many stories of the exact same or similar situations happening to other girls. This toxic enviroment is both encouraged and discouraged in society and in schools. Mixed messages much? When is everyone going to realize how much slut shaming is hurting girls and make a serious effort to end it. Not a hypocritical, half assed, not really willing to change, empty words attempt. An actual honest effort.
