Over 90% of North American women wear bras. Why? Do we really need them??
The standard bra has two straps that places the weight of the breasts on the shoulders, instead of leaving the breast to hang freely. Well, that is the most basic concept. There are many forms – that try to: Elevate breasts, reduce sagging, hide nipples, stop bouncing, flatten breasts, more modest look, greater sex appeal, and the fit work’s dress code.
Wearing a bra fits perfectly with Bordo’s other-oriented emotional economy. Women must make others comfortable, by hiding/shaping/straping/covering their breasts. [God forbid you show a nipple.] Yet it’s all at the discomfort of themselves. Others’ emotions are placed before the comfort and emotion of each bra-wearing woman. [Sure, woman might say they feel more comfortable out in public with a bra – but I bet at night, when they sleep –they are bra-less, since it is the most comfortable FOR THEM. Their true physical feelings.]
Bra-lessness is still linked with extreme feminism and not at all with simple comfort. So we all buy our first bras at 10, even though its usually not necessary to support anything at that age, but we do as others do. Our culture’s practice subjects us – and therefore we ‘need’ bras.
Also, bras are a nod to the intelligible body. Society says boobs should be shaped like ________ [insert a peppy, round, big-ish answer]. So we push-up, squish, mold, restrain, conform, and purchase numerous bras to fit this form. We become docile bodies, forcing ourselves – against our own conscious mind --- to wear these restraining, conforming, youth-preserving garments.
Sports bras for exercise, strapless with dresses, press-on cups with low-back tops…etc. – Bras are everywhere. They are definitely a body practice within our feminine culture.
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I absolutely love this blog! Being a woman, I have NEVER thought about why I wear a bra. You are exactly right! You did an awesome job using the keywords and they fit so nicely with the topic! Our culture practice definitely subjects us and encourages youth and maturing women to start wearing bras before they are even 'essential'. Our bodies are docile in the fact that we are regulated by social norms of what is appropriate and is an example of the 'other-orientated social economy'.
ReplyDeleteI found this very interesting. As a man, I can honestly not relate to the discomfort of wearing a piece of clothing every single day because society dictates it. The only thing I can think of that causes even mild discomfort is having to tuck my shirt in when I have to dress up. An interesting aspect of this is how guys react when they notice a woman *not* wearing a bra. I can think of multiple occasions where guys I know exclaim "Oh my God, look at that girl over there, she's not wearing a bra! *giggle giggle*."
ReplyDeleteI found this post to be soo entertaining. I never really thought of wearing a bra as being a socialized thing but rather just something that you had to do. It was normal and I legitimately thought nothing of it until I read this post.
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