body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Struggling with Sexual Expression
As women, we are raised with the understanding that our bodies are viewed differently to men's bodies. The media, society, the boys at our schools, the adults who push problematic school uniform rules onto us. Girls must wear skirts, but not too short because then it's inappropriate. Remember to keep those shoulders covered, otherwise your skin will distract the boys and the teachers! We're taught that our bodies are something men will feel the entitlement to shove their dick against in a club before we're even aware of their existence. We know if we confront them with our frustration and disgust, we're the ones causing shit. We know it's easier to simply move out of the dick's way, and give our friends that watch out for the creep look.
By Katie Gaster7 years ago in Viva
Does Evil Have a Name?
I hope you remember me because I will never forget you. The events that play over and over in my head, as if I'm forced to watch a never-ending horror movie. You took so many things from me. My security, my best friend, and how easily you took my strength. Being alone with men began to scare me in ways I never thought it would. From a man coming over to set up my internet to being alone in the bakery aisle at the supermarket, I fear that they might do what you did to me.
By Sleepless inStLouis7 years ago in Viva
Breathing
I’ve always been big on control. Whether I have it or the illusion of it, I like to think that I have some sort of power over things happening around me. I've realized you really only have control over a couple things. You have control over the way you conduct yourself, and the way you choose to react to any given situation. That is what is so terrifying about being sexually assaulted. I remember waking up and feeling like a stranger in my own skin, a place I had never loved, and now wanted out of. I remember waking up and playing back the night before. I remember the weight, feeling like I couldn't breathe. Breathing is something so innate, we take it for granted, but in this past year I've become familiar with the twinge of fear as it escapes me and the relief as I take in a deep breath.
By Emily Schroeder7 years ago in Viva
How It Feels to Remember
I swore to myself that I would never tell anyone, but it just slipped out the other day. I had been drinking and I was in a great mood and your name came up and it just slipped out. I was in the hallway with Jackie and I remember how horrified her face looked and I realized what I had said. But I was saved, some drunk boys came out and we chatted with them, I went home, and I never had to confront the horrified look on Jackie's face.
By purple and blue7 years ago in Viva
10 Foods That Make Your Period Worse. Top Story - January 2019. Created with: INTIMINA.
Your menstrual cycle will always come once a month, but no two periods are quite the same. Some are heavier than others. Others are a little more moody, while still more might have those diet-smashing cravings kick in at odd hours.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy7 years ago in Viva
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal problem that is estimated to affect as many as 10 million people worldwide. While the exact cause is unknown, it is suspected that genetics and environment play a big role in the development of PCOS. Despite other concerning fertility affected disorders and conditions, PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women, and the symptoms can be extremely damaging to your physical and emotional health.
By Jessye Gould7 years ago in Viva
Avon Apologizes for Body Shaming Ad, Says 'We Hear You'
I'm a reasonably fit, nearly-46-year-old woman with two kids. I'm not really big into beauty products because in general, I don't like to fuss too much. I moisturize my legs, I wash my face and hair (and whatever else might be dirty), and I brush my teeth on the regular. That's about it.
By Christina St-Jean7 years ago in Viva
Owning My Truth
For a while I've let the sexual abuse I've experienced control me. It was like this forbidden thing to talk about. It felt so taboo to own my truth, say it out loud, and finally be okay with it. I could not give myself the permission to be okay with life. How could I give myself permission to live a happy life when I experienced trauma, and had to say good-bye to the little girl inside of me too soon?
By Doe's Crafte`7 years ago in Viva
Justice?
You never really understand until it happens to you, the trauma that leads to sleepless nights the bruises that never quite seem to fade. The abuse you receive being called a liar having to face the friends and the family. You hear the similar stories on the news or the incident that happened at the nightclub down the road and you watched tv programmes try and portray the storyline to increase awareness and help those in need. You watch it all, and listen to the stories all with the constant thought "this could never happen to me" you say it until it does. Then you forget about the stories that you heard trying to empathise with the victim because now you are the victim and like so many others it’s your story, it’s your voice that needs to be heard and the repetition of trying to get people to understand why you feel the way that you do. You are now the one in the position who is trying to convince people that you are not the liar, that what you are saying is the truth. You no longer have to pretend to understand because now you do and the sad part about it all is that you shouldn’t have to understand because it never should have happened to you.
By Louise Ralph7 years ago in Viva
"Fat"
I have been obsessed with my body for as long as I can remember. As a little kid, my mom went to a dietitian because I was heavier than the average kid my age. I ate the same things as my mother and little brother; still, I was the heavier one. Everyone always told me to watch what I eat. As years went by, my self-esteem worsened to a point where I barely ate at all.
By Unknown Love7 years ago in Viva
To The Strip Clubs Who Don't Hire Plus-Sized or Alternative Women
Last summer when I got fired from my job as a server, I was restlessly searching for another one; not only in the food industry but the retail one too. I was searching for anything I could get my hands on, but I decided to branch out. I thought that maybe I should get back into sex work, just in case. I wasn't aware of phone sex and filming being options at the time, so I decided to check out the closest strip club I knew. See, I’ve been dancing for years and at the time I really didn’t want to go back, personally because I was still burnt out from doing it a year before that. However, I wasn’t going to turn down a possible opportunity to make money the best way I knew how. I’m a veteran stripper, I’ve been in several clubs. I’m a money maker. I’m a business woman. I know what I'm doing.
By Mardoll Gatsby7 years ago in Viva
