Paul Jacobson

Away with National Cleavage Day! Away!

I think Claire is right! This whole National Boob Day thing is just wrong. It objectifies women, leads to great degrees of sexism in an already pig-dominated country (and not the non-kosher variety in a breakfast sense) and it just can’t be the message we want to send to South African women and chicks generally! Instead, we should take a more responsible line with women’s rights and how women are perceived at places like beaches, pools and the workplace (especially where there is convergence).

Instead the responsible thing to to is to encourage women to dress appropriately …


(Image: Suspicious Nuns by fotologic published under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license)

… and be respectable. In fact, women should play a greater role in policing these instances of blatant sexism for who is better suited to guard against this poor behaviour than women themselves.


(Image: nuns with guns by Foxtongue published under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 license)

I mean, it isn’t like I get to see anything on these days anyway so how worthwhile can it really be. It is just an excuse for Wonderbra to sell more push-up bras and further inflame irrational male desires to see less clothing rather than engage more meaningfully with women!

Sadly it does seem that Claire has allowed herself to be firmly bought over by this objectionable mentality:

I even have a couple of Wonderbras. I wear make-up to work. I’m a bit of a flirt (much more so when I’ve had a few). I have long hair.

This is an unfortunate example of the sort of insidious and pervasive male-dominated mentality that takes us as a nation to a dark place of sex and objectification …

Ok, so the first part of my post is firmly foot in mouth stuff. Speaking as a guy I like the idea of a National Cleavage Day but that is part of the problem. Men tend to dictate how women will dress and present themselves and this is usually based on exploitative sexual practices. South Africa has terrible rape statistics and even worse reporting rates.

Sexism is evident in these statistics as well as in a variety of instances of sexual harassment, discrimination and outright abuse at home, at work and on our streets. I have little doubt it can be a scary place for women.

I will probably take some heat for this post but I also support women who choose to express themselves through something like a National Cleavage Day which is just a big marketing ploy, name a major event on the national calendar which isn’t exploited commercially. What is wrong is where women are coerced or forced to do something they are uncomfortable with. That is just not cricket!


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6 responses to “Away with National Cleavage Day! Away!”

  1. national cleavage day

    […] is just wrong. It objectifies women, leads to great degrees of sexism in an already pig-dominatedhttps://pauljacobson.me/2008/04/09/away-with-national-cleavage-day-away/Carole Malone’s Column: National Cleavage Day.Features – Sunday …Carole Malone’s Column: national […]

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  2. sex toys avatar
    sex toys

    good outlook

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  3. Average Joe avatar
    Average Joe

    And who says what is appropriate? you?

    I think some of this talk is pushing a stereo type of males being bafoons unable to control themselves.

    Also lLinking dress or the lack of it and rape statistics is insane!

    I think is a natural part of life and that we as men like to look at women is healthy, most of us try to look good and if some women like to wear wonder bras Yippy and if they dont no problem.

    Life is about personal choice!

    The notion that we as me must now start telling women what is or is not appropriate insults both us as men and definately Women as a whole.

    We are all adults, enjoy and live as you want, National Cleavage Day Celebrates Fun and Women,

    I think they are taking this day for themselves to enjoy theri feminitity and they emotions and power the evokes!

    It is harmless fun that all , THAT is men and Women can enjoy.

    Reply
  4. Rose avatar
    Rose

    I know this post was from last year, but all I can say is amen to your views on the day being sexist.

    Reply
  5. » National Cleavage Day by Rose DesRochers – World Outside my Window

    […] Cleavage Day” originated in South Africa and is sponsored by Wonderbra. ( Paul Jacobson says “It is just an excuse for Wonderbra to sell more push-up bras.” Amen to […]

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  6. Rose avatar
    Rose

    I know this post was from last year, but all I can say is amen to your views on the day being sexist.

    Reply

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