When examining femininity, one notes that it is constantly being altered and shaped by the beliefs of those who participate within the patriarchy. There seems to be a set standard on how women should display their femininity, and boundaries that should not be crossed. Although many people believe that women are reclaiming both their sexuality and femininity, I feel as though that hasn’t been totally possible. I believe that the surveillance of women’s bodies can prevent them from reclaiming their sexuality and femininity or encourages them to regain it. Seeing femininity as a social construct is important in understanding how it is controlled and shaped by society. This concept is explored by Sandra Bartky, who is a professor emeritus of gender…show more content… Their physical form is also manipulated to appease the standards that have been set by men. Women have to remove their body hair through shaving, tweezing, or through electrolysis, which is described as being painful. There is an endless amount of creams that can be applied to different parts of the body, such as “night creams, nourishing creams, eye creams, moisturizers…lip pomade, suntan lotions, sunscreens, facial masks”(Bartky 99). Bartky also believes that makeup is not an art form, but an aesthetic activity that allows women to create a “badge of acceptability in most social and professional contexts” (100). I agree with this idea to a moderate extent, because while using makeup may allow women to comfortably assimilate and be deemed sufficient, it can also encourage women to reclaim their sexuality to some degree. As mentioned before, women are taught to shrink themselves and make themselves less present because society is uncomfortable with a “loose woman”, a woman who is confident and comfortable with herself. Makeup can be used to help women assimilate into a social context, because they may look more “presentable” and be deemed as enough. However, makeup can also accentuate features of the body that express sexuality, such as one’s lips or…show more content… Women may become afraid to reclaim their sexuality because it can lead to backlash from those around her, including fellow women. An example of this is Amber Rose, who is an exotic dancer, model and fashion designer. She has been comfortable with her sexuality, not being afraid to discuss her past in the stripping industry. However, she is constantly being shamed for that, in music and comments made by her former partners. Kanye West had slammed Amber Rose in an interview, saying “It’s very hard for a woman to want to be with someone that was with Amber Rose. I had to take 30 showers before I got with Kim” (Fowler). Wiz Khalifa, her former husband, slut shamed her in a song that was released after their relationship ended which said “I fell in love with a stripper/funny thing is I fell out of love quicker” (Genius). The song, called “For Everybody”, is full of slut shaming comments towards women who are considered to be “hoes” that essentially don’t deserve love or respect. Comments like these can prevent women from feeling comfortable with themselves, because it teaches them that their sexuality must be hidden or else it takes away their credibility. People will not take them as seriously, and this can hinder a woman’s ability to move up the social or economic ladder. However, Rose is also an example of someone who has
