Halloween has always been a holiday where you can dress up and pretend to be something you're not. As I have gotten older, I've noticed that more and more girls dress provocatively on Halloween in order to be sexy. I think this is great! Girls who are usually more reserved and might dress conservatively most of the time have an opportunity to experience being overtly sexy. However, there is a time and place for this kind of Halloween celebration. Obviously, here at Penn State we are all around the ages of 18-22 and this kind of expression of sexuality is appropriate. Off of a College campus, however, it might be a little inappropriate to dress up as a sexy nurse and hand out candy to the neighborhood children. It's wonderful that we can be let loose a little on Halloween, but there is definitely a line.
Something I don't agree with in Dan Savage's article is that men are discouraged from being sexy on Halloween. I have seen numerous male costumes that allow men to be completely shirtless. This Halloween my guy friends dressed up as soldiers from the movie "300" for the sole purpose of being able to show off their chests. Obviously, they wanted to feel and look sexy as well and there is nothing wrong with that.
I think all men and women deserve to let loose and be able to avoid a negative label for one night. Just because we all dress a little provocatively on Halloween does not make any of us sluts or whores. People who oppose this expression of sexuality probably need to lighten up.
I like that you pointed out how your straight guy friends still dress proactively on Halloween, because mine do the same thing. I don't think sexy Halloween costumes for men are a straight or gay issue, I think it just depends on the personal preference of whoever is wearing the costume! I have two straight friends who dressed up as male strippers for last Halloween because they wanted clever, funny costumes. No one at the party thought they were gay because of their costumes, they just assumed the boys wanted to have fun with what they were wearing. It's just as important to not impose sexual bias' on guys as it is girls.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the same thing about guys. I've never seen a guy afraid to dress sexy for Halloween in fear of seeming gay. And I agree with you about Halloween. It's one day out of the entire year where people are able to let loose and dress sexy when normally, they may not do so. I say we should just let them be and have fun.
ReplyDeleteI do like how you pointed out the fact that there is a line when you wear costumes. I do completely agree with you here that people should watch what they wear based on where they live or if kids are there. I also noticed that each year, guys are starting to wear less and less clothes and are not afraid of their sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your disagreement when Dan Savage addresses men being reserved on Halloween. Like you said, plenty of guys take this holiday as an opportunity to let loose, show off their body's, and dress in humorous, provocative outfits. Although women tend to me more objectified, men as well have fun and take part in this "scandalous" holiday.
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