07.21.08
Role (roll) around the pole
When I was younger, it was make-up, and maybe a mini skirt. A while ago it was the thongs pulled high above the jeans. For a long time it has been the latex corsets on goth girls. What else can be imposed on young girls to make them both appear and want to appear sexy, “more adult”, more like a porn star? According to the statistics of American Academy of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 4,000 teenagers, ages 18 and younger, underwent breast augmentation last year, more than a 24 percent increase from the year before. Sure, it’s an American phenomenon, it can’t happen here. No, it can’t, but it would, if it could. In Finland, other than reconstructive plastic surgery is usually not performed on minors nor is there advertising aimed specifically at minors. But, teens aren’t blind, and they will notice marketing targeted for over 18-year-olds, too, as we well know. As augmentation isn’t (yet?) performed on minors, what are the consequences of sexualization of young girls? A report published 2007 by the American Psychological Association lists cognitive and emotional consequences, sexual consequences, problems in mental and physical health, and impact on attitude and belief.
Now, if breast enlargement isn’t a huge problem in Finland, sexualization is. And it has impact on others, too. An anonymous commented he was attracted to faux breasts already when in school. Now real women do not at all meet his expectations. He is restless and constantly searching for something unreal.
All sorts of phenomena creep into mainstream. Although sex and sexuality hardly are dangerous, demeaning, sexist, or immoral per se, it is still symptomatic that girls, their looks and their activities and behavior all resemble more and more that of strippers and porn stars. It could be all right, but (now) strippers and porn stars are mainly projections of (hetero) male desires. So, my teen daughter, how about mom taking you to your pole dancing lesson today?
The policy page says: “Pole Fitness is a unique exercise program that allows you to experience a full body workout…” “Pole Fitness offers a variety of benefits, both physical and psychological. Physically, you are able to burn calories…” “As for footwear, you can usually go barefoot or wear dance slippers…” The class seems to be marketed as an effective, fun fitness class.
Will you check out the high heels the woman in the picture is wearing? And yes, nowhere is it stated that the class would discriminate against men participants. However, in the picture, there is a woman. And “…information on bachelorette/birthday/girls night out parties…” But if my man wants to join, just so he can entertain me in my bedroom (that naturally would have to have a pole installed). And finally: You naturally need to dress in black underware for class, don’t you?
Now, come on, my teen daughter. This is just plain natural. Or maybe I’ll take you to a circus acrobatics class, instead.
