The increased judgement and scrutiny towards women has extended, it seems, to every part of their body. Ideals influenced by the porn industry have resulted in a significant rise in gynaecological surgery over the past five years.
Last December, UK Feminista organised “The Muff March” to protest against this worrying trend. Over 400 women signed up to the protest, parading down Harley Street wearing fake muffs and holding aloft placards bearing vagina-friendly slogans such as ‘Keep your mits of our bits!’ and ‘There’s nothing finer than my vagina’. Both the porn industry and the profiting surgeons were at the receiving end of their ire.
Exposure to such damaging and unnatural ‘ideals’ is concerning enough, but the fact many women are feeling so much pressure that they put themselves under the surgeon’s knife is even worse. Although pressure to look a certain way is nothing new, this recent trend seems to be one of the most extreme ever – it seems every body part is now laid bare to scrutiny. Common requests include labiaplasty – (whereby the labia is trimmed) and rejuvenation – (the tightening of the vagina). The porn industry has invited itself into the private lives of its consumers, having a huge impact on women, their relationships and above all their body confidence. That women feeling so insecure that they are willing to change the most intimate part of their body is something that has to change.
The Muff March is a step in the right direction to stand up for natural beauty, diversity and body confidence. The more women who stand out against these unrealistic ‘ideals’, the more hope there is that a designer vagina will soon be so last season. Desiring designer shoes is so much healthier!
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Words by Hanna Fillingham
Editor Charlotte Gush, on Twitter @CavaCharlotte
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Hanna Fillingham is a second year Journalism student at Cardiff University.
During the summer of 2011, Hanna worked as an intern for Caryn Franklin. Hanna has a blog here, and is on Twitter @hannafillingham |