By Chelsea Lightfoot
Contributor
Hey you, I can see your butt hanging out of those shorts. If you had to check right now, this article is one hundred percent about you.
I get it, college is a time where students finally don’t have parents dictating what they can and cannot wear. But just because we now have all this freedom, doesn’t mean that it should be abused. It’s embarrassing to me, as a woman, when I see other girls walking around campus with their butt cheeks hanging out of their shorts. And it should be embarrassing for all of you, too.
I am someone who firmly believes that there is a time and a place for all different types of dress. I’m not saying that you can’t wear these shorts at all, they’re great for say, the beach or a pool party, but I am saying that you should be dressing appropriately for being on a college campus where you are seeking higher learning.
If someone were to walk into a classroom scantily clad in a Vegas-style nightclub dress, you would think they were ridiculous. And yet, if someone walks into a classroom wearing booty shorts that show the same amount of skin, they are somehow deemed appropriate. This isn’t okay. We’re all here to earn an education, and hopefully not waste our/the government’s/our parent’s money. So we should be dressing for success, not to grab the attention of the cute boy who sits two seats behind us in Psych 100.
Ladies, let’s take a step back and look at how we’re portraying ourselves and our self-worth. Do you really want a guy to like you because you wear shorts that show off your assets to everyone and their mom? Probably not. If you do, then you have bigger problems to worry about than the clothes that you choose to wear to your college classes.
Guys, do you really want to date a girl who wears clothes that make it so everyone on campus is getting to see the areas of your girlfriend that only you should have the privilege of seeing? Just as an example, my friend Brian thinks that “it looks trashy” when girls wear shorts that show off their butt cheeks and that “anyone who feels the need to attract people with just their bodies probably doesn’t have anything else to offer.”
I know you’re expressing your freedom to wear whatever you want, but let’s be a little more classy and discerning while on campus. We all need to focus on our studies, do well and be the best versions of ourselves that we can be. The way that we dress isn’t just a reflection on ourselves, but also on the values and ideals of our generation. I hope to be part of a campus community that exudes confidence, self-worth and potential, rather than butt cheeks. Stay classy, CSUSM.
Alex Storton • Sep 27, 2014 at 1:44 am
Former student speaking:
THANK YOU. As much as I loved the girl/guy ratio at CSUSM, It would have been appreciated to have a more professional environment instead.
concerned student • Sep 25, 2014 at 10:13 am
The amount of internalized misogyny in this article is absolutely nauseating.
What is also alarming is the fact that this was even published. The fact that the author, editor, and person in charge of deciding what is okay to print all agreed that this is a story that simply needed to be published is mind blowing.
Why do you, the author, care so much what other women are wearing? Never mind, I know the answer, and it’s misogyny. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been hitting the triple digits in San Marcos lately. I’ve seen men walking through campus without shirts on on particularly hot days but surprisingly there hasn’t been a rude article written about them…Why? Oh, wait once again the answer is, you guessed it, misogyny! I’m disgusted that such a horrid opinion was deemed worthy of print.
“Ladies, let’s take a step back and look at how we’re portraying ourselves and our self-worth. Do you really want a guy to like you because you wear shorts that show off your assets to everyone and their mom?” This is the most disturbing sentence in the piece. A woman’s worth is NOT determined by how she dresses. This mentality leads to victim blaming and is incredibly dangerous! Secondly, women don’t dress for men. Shocking, I know. No one cares what Brian is going to think of their shorts when they get dressed in the morning. Sorry to crush your precious ego but male opinions about women’s clothing mean squat!
“A plea for modesty”, ha! More like an embarrassingly desperate attempt to perpetuate harmful double standards for females to adhere to based on a sexist society. Author, your gross opinion is not original. And I’ll let you in on a little secret, too: what you choose to wear does not make you better than other girls.
tl;dr Consider these statements: 1. They’re called shorts for a reason 2. Stop shaming AND sexualizing (because you know darn well that’s the reason women’s shorts have upset you so) women and 3. This college is supposed to be a place of safety and education for ALL students and as one of said students, I will not tolerate more than half of this campus being attacked like this.
Stay classy, and kindly shove your article.
Whatever • Feb 24, 2015 at 12:44 am
what a silly silly student…
Jenna Smith • Sep 22, 2014 at 7:24 pm
How cute. Slut-shaming for the 21st century. Chelsea, dear girl, if YOU are uncomfortable in booty shorts, do not wear them. However, don’t try to tell others what to wear. YOU might be there for an education, but everyone doesn’t have the same agenda. Some women are there to attract men whether you approve or not. It is not a sign of low self-esteem to wear revealing clothing. I would argue it’s just the opposite! Regardless, clothing isn’t prohibitive to acquiring an education whether you’re wearing Daisy Dukes or a habit.
YOU, Chelsea dear, are sharing the mindset of those who say women should wear burkas for modesty’s sake. It’s just a matter of degrees. Stop trying to control the sexuality and freedom of choice others exercise and concentrate on your own studies. You’re sorely in need of some Women’s Studies. See about putting THAT on your schedule next semester.