KJ Elizabeth

News and magazine columnists across the western world are celebrating the rise of in-your-face sexuality as a sure sign that the modern woman is sexually empowered and liberated. From my point of view, I don’t see that much to celebrate. If we take a moment to look at what is underlining and motivating this in-your-face brand of sexuality, I would argue that quite the reverse is true, and that this so called empowerment and liberation is based on false and dangerous pretenses.

The aggressive “predatory” sexuality we see is not an indication of her liberation, but rather a measure of the depths of her insecurity and the lengths she’s prepared to go to boost it. She’s not pursuing pleasure, she’s pursuing validation.

The social value and self worth of women is intertwined with the extent to which she is sexually and physically attractive and attentive to the desires of men. A truly liberated woman, who is also highly sexual and upfront about what or who she wants, will not resort to the level of aggressive sexuality we see from insecure women, because her self validation is not based on the approval of men. If someone doesn’t want her, or respond to her advances, she doesn’t need to take it further. She does not need to present herself as an irresistible sex kitten 24/7, in every social situation, because she doesn’t need him/men for self-validation. Her self worth comes from a higher source; herself.

The “out there” sexuality of the modern woman is an unconscious smoke screen. If she doesn’t receive the kind and level of attention she needs to satisfy her sense of self worth and validation, she will try and make them give it to her by overwhelming them with her unbridled sexuality. In no way shape or form is this true emancipation and empowerment. It’s the same old story about women not feeling good enough about themselves, wrapped in a sexy scantily clad guise.

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