Tricks, Treats and Sexiness
This past weekend, teens celebrated Halloween—the “sweetest” time of year with candy, mischief, scary spirits—and sexy costumes?!
For some teen girls, Halloween is a fun, harmless opportunity to take exciting risks. From “naughty schoolgirls” to “sexy cops,” girls dressed up in provocative outfits to flaunt their wild sides and show off their bodies. Teens who normally aren’t all caught up in being sexy chose to wear revealing costumes that were tinier, tighter and shorter than ever.
A recent article from the campus newspaper at Northwestern University taught readers how to “skankify yourself this Halloween” with tips and rules. As Cady from Mean Girls has said, “Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” Hmmm…so the point 
of Halloween is to look like skanks and wear as little as possible? Don’t get me wrong, being able to comfortably express our sexy sides and explore personal boundaries can be incredibly empowering. But when does it go too far?
Check out this photo of Audrina Patridge in a genie costume at her recent Halloween party. “Audrina Patridge: Making Every Man’s Wish Come True” reads the headline from a celebrity gossip blog. The headline seems to suggest that the purpose of dressing up is to please others—especially men—rather than ourselves. Why isn’t there a picture of a male celebrity “making everyone’s wish come true” with his costume? What’s up with the double standard?
It’s fine to try out what it’s like to be sexy. But in today’s highly sexualized culture, where women are all too often valued only for their sex appeal, we’ve got to remember there’s a lot more to girls and women than just being sexy.
—Cynthia Lam, 16, Staff Writer
Tags: body image, emotional health, gender, TV
(18 votes, average: 4.56 out of 5)
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November 6, 2009 at 4:47 pm
I completely agree with this post. Although it can be very empowering to explore personal boundaries, we as women have to be careful with the message we are trying to send out. There will always be a double standard when it comes to men and women and as much we try women are always going to be objectified by men. So ladies embrace your feminity but be careful.
November 26, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Please! Women usually show off more when they wear bikinis! It’s only over-sexualized because people made such a big deal about it! If this was left alone then it really wouldn’t be seen so sexual or messed up in the first place.
November 30, 2009 at 12:09 pm
i love wearing sexy and provocative and revealing costumes on halloween! last halloween, i went as a naughty schoolgirl and i wore a really tight shirt and an even tinier and shorter mini-skirt. i don’t think that there’s anything wrong with wearing as little as possible and dressing like a total slut on halloween… it’s a chance for the girls like me who love showing off our bodies to express our sexy sides! so, i don’t think that there’s anything wrong with using sex appeal and pleasing men… i bet that i gave a lot of guys boners on halloween! lol! : )
December 15, 2009 at 11:18 am
Im not saying it is or isnt bad. But revealing generous portions of the private places is just off the hook for a celebration like halloween.. You could as well as go naked for all halloween’s worth!!!