Justice

The Internet's Reaction to Kendall Jenner's NSFW Shirt Brings up a Larger Argument

June 23rd 2016

After photos of supermodel Kendall Jenner with fellow models Gigi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin hit the internet this week, it sparked a conversation about how women's bodies are negatively critiqued in society.

Jenner was snapped strutting the streets of New York City on Tuesday in a sheer, black top that revealed her pierced nipples β€” and some people couldn't get over it.

Naturally, there were some who praised the photos and considered Jenner's move a feminist choice to #FreeTheNipple.

However, Mic's Chris Riotta points out this kind of encouragement and praise for a woman revealing her body is not the norm. Riotta argues that it is only because of Jenner's celebrity status, model occupation, and appeal to "Euro-centric beauty standards" that Jenner was spared from the "usual backlash most women encounter when exposing their breasts in public."

Riotta wrote this:

"Jenner is an established, elite supermodel who falls into the very narrow Euro-centric beauty standards perpetuated throughout the fashion industry. Unfortunately for nearly everybody save for Jenner, exposed nipples are still very much a taboo trend that will never see the light of day thanks to their oppression and shaming by the mainstream. Even her very own sister was critiqued for revealing her breasts in a photoshoot supporting her lipstick brand."

Some agreed.

But Jenner did receive some backlash for her revealing top.

While Riotta may have a point that not everyone can dress like Jenner, status actually doesn't matter when it comes to societal expectations of women and how they should present their bodies. In fact, judgment still exists and expectations are still are in place for all women. Despite the praise that female celebrities often receive and the fact that they can appear immune to criticism, there is still an undercurrent of negative criticism that follows them when they express their sexuality or show their bodies.

For example, "Modern Family" actress Ariel Winter was recently criticized after she posted this picture of herself at her graduation party.

Although there were some who praised Winter, others argued that her outfit was inappropriate for someone of her age and shamed her for appearing to flaunt her breasts after getting breast reduction surgery.

Share your opinion

Do you think there is a stigma for women who #FreeTheNipple?

No 6%Yes 94%