Young Women

1 Timothy 2:9-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel,

with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire,

but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.

In today’s society, we have created a world that completely idolizes sex and lustful thoughts. We often wonder how things like human trafficking and teen pregnancy could be so prevenient in America but it doesn’t take long to realize after taking a look around you. We live in a society focused on self-satisfaction. We are told to look at what will make me happy or what can I do to become successful? We mass-produce pornography, sex scenes on TV, and even post photos of women and men in undergarments everywhere. It is to the point where Victoria’s Secret is launching a line for middle school girls called “Bright Young Things.” Yes, that does mean Victoria’s Secret will be promoting twelve and thirteen year old girls to wear lace intimate apparel with phrases like “feeling lucky?” on them. In honesty, from a girl’s perspective, it seems to be what is expected of young women today. As a young woman who grew up in a society like this, I want to share my thoughts and experiences.

You see, the world around us screams messages to young girls and women. We have to be beautiful to get a guys attention. We have to be that size two and have to be showing off our bodies to gain the attention the world says we should have. We have to date and have a guy to feel self worth. These are what we feel society wants us to do. I mean if it wasn’t would there be a Victoria’s Secret fashion show; models posted on the cover of every magazine; sex scenes in every chick flick?

So what do girls do to become what society wants them to? They adapt. That sweet innocent young girl playing with Barbies begins to try to turn herself into a living Barbie. They wear makeup to cover up imperfections. They wear low cut shirts and short shorts to gain attention (not to mention it is about all that is sold in most stores.) They show off a little and they flirt. As a teenage girl, I definitely got sucked into these patterns. Spending time in the morning to put on makeup and pick out just the right outfit and make sure my body and attitude was just right. Not to say these are bad things but often times they can be done for the wrong reasons. In my case, I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I wanted guys to see me as attractive and for other girls to see I was pretty. Other girls do this too, not that we want to get sucked into this pattern; it is just an adaptation to society and a desire to fit in.

Girls are not the only ones who suffer from this mass message. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for guys to look around everywhere and see women’s bodies exposed. Lustful thoughts then enter a guy’s head. The message to them is also to date and find a relationship. And what kind of girls do these guys get? The girls’ society has adapted. It is a message that not only affects girls buy also guys, so in reality our whole society. This can lead to unhealthy relationships and problems. I have experienced what these kinds of relationships can be like.

Now not all young women are like this. Some have stood up to society and decided to dress modestly and view themselves as beautiful the way they are. I feel that more women need to realize that. This obviously means a change in society would be needed but you as a young man or women can help. Men can see and encourage women that they are beautiful the way they are. A simple complement goes a long way. To the young women and girls in America today, you do not need men or society to feel valuable. Find a group of women to encourage you along the way. My best girl friends have been so much help with this. Respect yourselves and your body by dressing modestly and saying no. Just a word from a woman who grew up in this society to all other young women and men out there.

by Amy Lucas

Amy is a student at U of M Dearborn


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