“You’re too skinny.” “You’re flat.” “You need to lose weight.” “Where are your curves?”  

The list of insensitive and insecurity inducing comments made on an everyday basis towards women is honestly saddening.

In this day and age, there is no pleasing society. You’re skinny, but not skinny enough. You’re pretty enough to catch people’s attention, but not “hot” enough to keep them attentive. 

If a woman is too loud then she’s obnoxious and unladylike, but if she’s too quiet then she’s rude or closed off. No one is ever pleased.

Unfortunately we live in a society where someone is always going to be upset or everyone feels like it’s their personal right to judge what someone else is doing–women specifically. 

To put it plainly, society emphasizes an overwhelming amount of unfair and toxic standards that women have to meet. Whether these be beauty standards, body standards, or whatever the case might be. There’s a certain status and persona that they have to maintain, which forces women to chase the stereotypes set out for them. 

Women are highly limited through these kinds of standards. Society has made it to where it is nearly impossible for women to feel confident and secure in themselves.

Additionally, it’s easier to become the stereotype than to be the exception. This means that it’s easier for women to fall under the pressure of trying to fit into the stereotype than for them to turn away from it. It’s easier to blend in as opposed to distinguishing yourself as your own individual. There’s a sense of fear in women when it comes to being unique; conforming brings comfort, while individuality produces anxiety. 

Essentially, modern women are always set up to feel less than and have to portray this perfect image. 

American society has created unrealistic beauty standards and beauty norms that lack diversity in race, size, hair type, body shape, etc. Sorry to tell you, if you don’t have a tiny waist, you probably don’t make the cut!

Dating all the way back to early history, there has been a lingering stigma surrounding women regarding their looks. If you don’t look a certain way you’re not as respected, but if you do look the ideal way then you risk being sexualized.

In reflection, we need to be more open-minded to each other’s differences, and embrace them. As a people, perhaps we need to consider simply minding our own business and leave people to unapologetically be themselves.

Rather than forcing women to feel like they have to compare themselves to other girls that they see on social media or that they go to school with or whatever the case might be, we need to instill a sense of safety and security within women by simply embracing all kinds regardless of looks or body type. 

In order to stray away from following these conservative, outdated ways of thinking, it’s important to be able to acknowledge that there is a clear issue with participating in reinforcing these destructive beauty standards. Also, it’s vital that we address the problem that comes with the impact of doing so. Furthermore, we must suspend any and all judgment to help limit gender norms and take on a more positive and supportive outlook regarding dissimilarities amongst women.

It’s no secret that American society is corrupt politically, economically and especially towards women. That being said, it’s time to not only stop trying to conform to its standards, but most importantly to stop forcing those standards upon people.

To all women: Junior Kelly Parker “does not subject herself to the patriarchal paradigm,” and neither should you.