California State University East Bay

The Pioneer

California State University East Bay

The Pioneer

California State University East Bay

The Pioneer

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Trick or Treat… I’m Half Naked!

Halloween is here and while many of us are gearing up for a fun night with friends, family and yummy treats, the holiday bears clear differences between the societal expectations of women and men.

It is no secret that Halloween gives women the excuse to break out of their normal attire and into that overly sexy outfit; #sexyghost. Oftentimes we see adult women donning a “sluttier” version of their childhood outfits. And although it allows adult women the freedom to express their historically repressed sexuality, it also sets a precedent for young girls to socially accept the objectification of their body. Something the mainstream media already does, and all too well.

According to an American Psychological Association study, “findings have indicated that women more often than men are portrayed in a sexual manner and are objectified,” within the media. However, the study shows media is not the only culprit. Interpersonal relationships in combination with media and marketing create hegemony, or a cultural consensus, to allow for the sexual objectification of women.

So as the media splashes images of sexualized women figures, family life and friends influence young girls’ decisions to maintain the status quo of false representations of the female form.

The New York Daily News projected that Miley Cyrus’ controversial Video Music Awards outfit to be among the top outfits for Halloween. The article says the ‘Twerking Teddy VMA Popstar’ came in second as the “most popular Google search, and also the fifth most searched costume on Google Shopping.”

Director Jennifer Siebel Newsom, who is married to Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, determined the media has defined a woman’s self worth through her beauty rather than intelligence, in her movie “Miss Representation.” Yet this notion is engrained into our pop culture and is a reflection of our society.

To be clear, I don’t have a problem with adult women donning sexualized costumes, who are going to adult events. I have been there before. But when young girls follow the trends it is too much.

Evidence from the APA study shows young girls exposed to sexualization “has negative affects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, sexuality and attitudes and beliefs.”

However, it isn’t my place to put a proper age on when it is appropriate for girls to dress up in scandalous costumes, because it is up to their parents. Although it should be noted that it will affect their learning and mental capabilities, according to the APA study.

The APA study suggests “self-objectification” can “detract from the ability to concentrate and focus one’s attention” specifically with logical reasoning and mathematical skills. In additions, the study links sexualization to the “three most common mental health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.” The study indicates girls and women can misconstrue concepts of their sexuality.

“Frequent exposure to media images that sexualize girls and women affects how girls conceptualize femininity and sexuality,” the APA research suggests.

With the media as a driving force and society telling us what is normal, girls are also choosing stereotypical gender outfits says Russell Belk in a study for the Association of Consumer Research. Once more, young girls are falling into the trap of their “sex roles” typically dressed up as a nurse, rather than a doctor.

It is frustrating to see women who reduce themselves to half naked maids, harem girls or flappers when there are other choices in costumes that represent a strong female character. Any outfit can be made sexy, so try imitating Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean or Cleopatra Queen of Egypt or something not sexy at all.

So women, let’s swim against the tide and don our sexy costumes that imitate strong women characters and parents, make a difference and influence young girls to see past the stereotypes of sexuality as self-value.

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California State University East Bay
Trick or Treat… I’m Half Naked!