Will Strip for Love

I don’t intentionally do these things… really, I don’t. I sat down in my chair tonight with the complete intent of letting my mind flow and the thoughts of the day stream through my fingers and into this entry. I do this every time I write – it’s habitual, it’s cathartic, and it allows me to share my feelings and thoughts on subjects intimately. Sure, I generally have an idea where I want to go (the title – “Will Strip for Love” – was placed on the paper first, not after the blog entry is written, like some of my posts), but everything else flows. Why is it then, when I start to write, that I load up my iTunes, and “Are You That Somebody?” by Aaliyah decides to grace my ears? This song somewhat sets the mood for my entry tonight – recent observations in how individuals, females particularly, place themselves out there for the general public (and friends) to perceive them.

Why is it that a growing portion of the population, male and female alike, have subverted proper values and instead base their search for a significant other on overt physical and sexual qualities? This certainly doesn’t mean to say that physical attraction isn’t important (it is) or that everyone is entirely lustful (they aren’t), but the trend is disturbing. I see females who post pictures of themselves barely clothed or men flexing and their abs on display (Jersey Shore, anyone?! Really?!). Not only is this how they choose to represent themselves publicly as the most important aspect of their personality, but it is generally encouraged. Comments are abundant in favor of these pictures, particularly from guys who love the sight of some skin and some great cleavage, and some women who want to clasp onto biceps. The human body is a beautiful thing – I certainly don’t refute that or instantly criticize anyone who is in incredible shape – but when this becomes the primary factor involved in pursuing one another, and deciding whether or not to date someone, I think we as a culture are setting ourselves up for failure.

I’ve long had the adage that “beauty will fade, but personality and morals persist,” and that has been how I have strived to live my life. It’s interesting to attempt to determine whether women feel that they find it necessary to be slutty and promiscuous to attract a guy, and why they are ultimately usually disappointed when the guy they attract through a primarily physical sense turns out to not really respect or care about them in the long run. What was expected, honestly? Or do these women and men simply not care about a deeper relationship and respect, and to them “love” is purely a modified form of lust?

It’s unfortunate, really. A meaningful pursuit should be one of mutual respect and adoration, and the physical side is merely an important reflection of that. I have been… pursued… in the past by women who use their sexual “prowess” and physical features to attempt to reel me in. Honestly, all you are accomplishing is making me lose respect for you and ultimately find you incredibly less attractive. The type of men who are going to respond to your advances of sexual conquest and semi-nude to nude pictures have the wrong motivation – and if you think you are going to achieve anything more meaningful than a lust-fueled sexual relationship, then the majority of the time, you are going to be disappointed.

Do yourselves a favor, gain some respect, develop some wit and personality, and let them figure out how sexy you can be after he figures out what your name is.