The Midriff

So we watched this documentary called Merchants of cool and one thing I distinctly remember was the characterization of "The Midriff." Just in case you are unaware "The Midriff" is the idea of women being sexualized but it used as a power.To quote the video "They are saying we are sex objects but we know that." This idea is a weird one for me. I believe that women can do whatever they want as long they are not hurting anybody and I encourage women being sex positive and in control over their bodies but that is not what is really happening in these cases. My problem with the Midriff is that most of the time it is not women who are showing off their sexuality to feel empowered and beautiful but it is the system that they have to play to get on top. It's more of a marketing strategy than genuine female sexuality. This is apparent in movies where the Midriff is present. When a Midriff character is present more than likely written by men, men who are aware that the Midriff sells. Another problem I have with this archetype is how it affects young girls. In this documentary we spend some time with a thirteen year old year, Britney. Britney is someone who is affected by the Midriff. She goes around trying to find acting jobs, faulting her sexuality at the age of thirteen. The reasons she wants to do this is that she wants to be successful and become famous. This girl and many others are marketing themselves off to Hollywood producers and that is unsafe.