The White Pants Debate:
Something I want to discuss today is the white pants debate. On the service industry page called "Life Behind Bars" there is a craze that has overtaken the community. I am not sure where it originated but the notion on this page is that women who wear white pants or shorts are likely to participate in anal sex. There are dozens of posts that include candid photos of a woman's backside who is wearing white pants that is followed by a crude remark about her implied sexual behaviors. I believe that the recent attention to white pants is an example of how the male dominate culture objectifies and sexualizes women. Men are given the idea that they can understand a woman's sexual nature simply by the color of her jeans. The aspect of anal sex can be interpreted as a form of domination and by labeling someone as a participant in that particular sexual act, they are implying that that women wants and needs to be dominated. Women who are seen in public with white pants become the object of a man's fantasy where they can use her to fulfill his sexual desires. Although many of these pictures are being posted by men, I have noticed a few women have started to get in on the joke as well. By degrading a woman publicly on facebook, it gives the poster a feeling of power and domination. I think it also speaks to the idea that our choice of fashion comes with a socially understood meaning. Wearing sweatpants in public implies laziness now instead of a person who has finished a work out. Someone who wears boat shoes is not thought to be in tune with their nautical talents but as someone who is a member of the frat boy community.
I have personally not noticed posts like this outside the service industry community so I am curious if anyone else has witnessed this stereotype in the media.
That's crazy! I can't believe that's getting attention. People should focus on solving problems or getting a job.
ReplyDeleteI work in the service industry but haven't come across anything yet. The fact that it is spreading and out there does not surprise me, clearly another downfall of the contagious nature of topics on social media.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good relevant post to this weeks topics. It is really sad that that is the kind of stuff that trends on the internet...
ReplyDeleteDo you have a link to the page? I can't seem to find it. I work in the service industry and have literally never heard of this before. If this is truly a trend, it is another sad chapter in social media. I am interested to know where this data is coming from, however; I'm not sure if this is your opinion or is coming from the debate, but "men are given the idea that they can understand a woman's sexual nature simply by the color of her jeans" seems to be a bit of a generalization.
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe that people are spending their time on something like that. It's sad that with all of the opportunities for social media to be used for good, this is what some people use it for. What if people spent all of that time and effort trying to make the world a better place.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this! People can be really cruel and ridiculous. Since when does pant color show a woman's sexual desire?
ReplyDeleteThis is crazy!
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