don't dress like a *****,
but remember: your success is based upon how much of your *** they see.
stand up for yourself,
but remember: use the wrong tone, and your husband will beat you.
have fun,
but remember: going out alone and drinking will only end up with you in a stranger's bed the next morning.
make sure you never have to rely on your man for money,
but remember: someone will probably steal your purse while you're out alone.
"no" means "no,"
but remember: you always have to give him what he wants.
**** isn't the victim's fault,
but remember: you were asking for it.
it's your life. it's your body.
but remember:
it's not.
(a.m.)
Hi. Please be sure to read the poem in its entirety before commenting, thank you. And just so we're clear: this poem is not in any way meant to degrade women, but rather to point out how society often sends women and girls mixed messages. We tell them not to act like "*****" or "******," and yet everywhere you look there's another song or music video that sexualizes women, and then we blame the victims when **** occurs. We tell them to be independent and stand up for themselves, but then automatically assume they must have done something wrong if they get beaten by their spouses or significant others. We tell them to take control of their lives and bodies, and yet the very next moment, we tell them the exact opposite.
Every two minutes, an American is sexually assaulted. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.
It's 2014, and I am still a long way off from being a parent. But I wouldn't want my future daughter living in a world like this.
She shouldn't have to.