Sarah Christenson
smchristenson@valdosta.edu

Have you ever been flipping through the TV channels late at night and come upon an advertisement for Girls Gone Wild? The ways that groups like Girls Gone Wild and Playboy depict women promotes certain behaviors that may not be appropriate for young girls.

Many girls look at TV shows such as “The Girls Next Door” and see beautiful women, and dream of being them one day.

Whether it is in Playboy or Girls Gone Wild or maybe even just a video made on spring break for You Tube, many girls think this image of being sexual appeals to men. Although men may find these girls attractive, being depicted in such a way can be harmful.

I believe it is completely up to a woman whether to show off her body to the world. There are women who make millions of dollars posing for different magazine companies including Playboy. I do not agree with it, and would never do it; however I do not look down on those who do.

Girls Gone Wild has been to the local bar Rick’s, in the last year. I do not necessarily see it as a bad thing however, I don’t think it’s good either. I requested an interview with the owner of Rick’s and he declined. I also heard that Girls Gone Wild is planning on coming to Mellow Mushroom and when I tried to verify it I was told they had no further information.

Considering it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I think girls at the college level especially, but also women of all ages should be aware and conscious of what they wear and how they depict themselves toward men. Some men can take a few kind words and turn them into something completely different.

Like I said, I do not have a problem with Girls Gone Wild, Playboy or any other similar organization. I think it is solely up to the individual whether or not she wants to show off her body.

Some people may find it degrading while others feel there are tactful ways to show off their bodies. Although I do not promote it, I will try not to be critical of other young women’s decisions.