English Teacher, Please Pull Up Your Skirt Like a Good Girl
Western culture is known for its art and literature, but it also has a reputation for certain customs that may seem odd to some people. One of these is the tendency of older men to encourage younger women to dress in a certain way - often more revealing than they might otherwise choose. This can be seen in various forms of media, from music videos to magazines to social media. Unfortunately, even the teaching profession is not immune to this phenomenon.
Recently, a video blogger with the screen name of "Tangxin" (糖心) uploaded a vlog to her YouTube channel, titled "Yuzu Cat pulls up her skirt for the little ones" (幼儿幼儿幼儿nouuu幼儿). The video features Yuzu Cat, a popular online personality who specializes in creating content for children. In the video, Yuzu Cat delivers a lesson on how to wear a school uniform, with particular emphasis on the skirt - which she pulls up to reveal more of her legs. The video quickly went viral, drawing both criticism and support from viewers.
The Harmful Message Being Sent
While some might argue that this video was harmless and simply meant to be entertaining, the reality is much more insidious. By showing young girls that it is acceptable - even desirable - to dress in this manner, Yuzu Cat is sending a message that can have far-reaching consequences. By associating sexualized clothing with success and popularity, she perpetuates the gender stereotypes that have plagued society for generations.
The concept of the "good girl" is one that has been institutionalized in many cultures throughout human history. The idea is that females must act in a certain way in order to be deemed acceptable, with the emphasis on obedience, purity, and modesty. Unfortunately, this has often been accompanied by the idea that females must be sexually appealing to men, and this has led to many harmful practices - from FGM to foot binding to corsetry.
The Need for Education
If we are to put an end to this harmful cycle, then we must begin by educating our children - both male and female - about the ways in which they are being influenced by harmful stereotypes. We must teach them to value themselves for who they are, rather than what they wear. We must also work to change the societal structures that perpetuate these harmful stereotypes, by challenging the media, institutions, and individuals who promote them.
As educators, we have a unique role to play in this process. We must model the behaviors that we wish to see in our students, by dressing in a professional and appropriate manner at all times. We must also be willing to speak out against harmful practices - even if it means challenging popular opinion. By doing so, we can create a safer, more equitable world for all of our students.
The Way Forward
In conclusion, it is time for us to recognize the harm that is being done by the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes. We must work together to create a world in which all individuals, regardless of gender, are able to thrive and succeed on their own terms. This means challenging gender norms and promoting positive images of all individuals, regardless of their appearance. By doing so, we can create a society that is based on equality, rather than oppression.
Let us begin by teaching our students the values of respect, tolerance, and self-worth. Let us challenge the gender stereotypes that have held us back for so long. Let us pull up our skirts, but only if it is for our own comfort and confidence - not because someone told us we should.
