Sometimes when I’m collecting thoughts for the World Thought Bank a strange pattern emerges. These are separate pieces of evidence that all share a common theme or trend. I’m here to say that I can no longer deny this topic:
What is going on with vaginal “beautification” lately?
I’m sure by now we have heard of “Vajazzling”: the art of adorning the pubic area with rhinestones or swarovsky crystals.
Well now, if you choose to do that 70′s thing, you can dye your pubic hair hot pink or what ever crazy color, ahem, tickles your fancy.
Many people have made fun of, or are confused by the sexy vampire goddess pad- which I think is hilarious! What people don’t understand a goddess pad is a reusable, environmentally friendly sanitary napkin that is usually worn at night for women who have just given birth or have an unusually heavy flow. So why not bring some levity to a challenging situation?
In my opinion, these examples are just fun ways to “spice things up”. However, here’s where things start to furrow my brow…
My Pink Button is a product that promises to pinkify your lady parts if they’ve lost the certain erm… Hue that you think it should be.
“…each dye is named after a famed starlet, which allows you to mull over whether your labia is more of a pill-popping depressive, like Marilyn, or a tap-dancing serial divorcée, like Ginger.”
Then things get really serious with this report from BBC news:
“Women are undergoing surgery to create perfect genitalia amid a “shocking” lack of information on the potential risks of the procedure, a report says. Research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology also questions the very notion of aesthetically pleasing genitals. Operations to improve the appearance of the sex organs for both psychological and physical reasons are on the rise.”
On the rise? Try up by 70% from the previous year!
So much so, that a UK feminist group have taken to the streets to raise awareness:
“At its most modest, the Muff March is against the pornography-influenced obsession with removing pubic hair. But it’s also about protesting against the sort of surgery that makes you cross your legs. Typical procedures on offer include labiaplasty (trimming or removing the labia) and vaginal rejuvenation (tightening – usually referred to by “designer vagina”). In the US this industry is worth $6.8m (£4.4m).”
Look, I understand that sometimes these things are necessary for well being, but when it’s coming from self-consciousness – that’s when we have to reassess our societal trends and look at what is making women feel badly about themselves. No doubt the Buff Culture™ wave is about “looks based” confidence. The Human Truth™ is: “If I look good, I am good.”™
I personally prefer other affirmations like “If I DO good, I am good.” or “If I FEEL good, I am good.” But then perhaps confident, content, happy women don’t move stock or build sales. As one of my favorite comediennes says:
@SarahKSilverman “Vagisil Wash” is regular soap marketed to really really insecure women
