A discourse: Showing skin as an empowerment?

Abstract

Women’s empowerment is the epitome of intellectual awakening. The feminist’s awakening triumphs over the oppressive lording of the patriarchal system through time. Women empowerment is sustained in the society for women savored rights that were deprived of them for a long time. Women’s empowerment comes in many forms or expressions, including how they dress. However, it seems that the portrayal of power that is supposed to give respect to women’s dignity only paves the way to discredit their pure intention. Women’s empowerment through clothing harbors more objectification of women rather than seeing them as subjects. This philosophy research work used a qualitative approach that examined and analyzed the experiences of selected empowered women in wearing revealing clothing. Sixteen empowered women were purposively selected to participate in this study. The data shows that empowerment is present in wearing revealing clothing, but unfortunately, objectification is also present. The dichotomy in the data between empowerment and objectification was intellectualized through a philosophical discourse. Women’s empowerment through “showing of skin” must be re-examined.