Why Sexualized Halloween Costumes Are Downright Scary
The other day, my friend told me a spooky story about buying a Halloween costume.
Her daughter wanted to be Katniss Everdeen, the skillful archer and powerful main character from the movie The Hunger Games. With much excitement, they hit the stores.
To their dismay, choices were limited to frilly pink, sequined blue, short skirts, tall boots, and feathery boas. How about a policewoman with jewelled handcuffs and a short skirt, in a provocative pose? Or a rock star outfit with a bustier and fishnet stockings? Many of the costumes were designed to objectify girls, even those being sold to 5- to 12-year-olds.
I never used to be what you’d call an outspoken person. In high school, when my English teacher suggested I read one of my poems aloud in class, I said, “No way!” Early in my career I wrote a well-received research report, but at the press conference I actually hid behind a colleague. At dinner parties, I dreaded the prospect of someone raising a controversial subject. I had strong opinions, but not the nerve to say them out loud.
What happens when you put girls in charge of the messages on their clothing?
With a federal election just weeks away, September’s online feminist activism was politically charged.
