It’s a typical Saturday night, and I am anxiously watching my phone to hear news of what party will be held that night. Many students send rumors of who may “throw,”, until the true party is revealed. Texts are often sent around announcing when to show up, and often, announcing the theme.

Most Parker students love themes, as they give not only a guideline of what to wear, but add fun to the occasion. In the past people have thrown parties with numerous themes ranging from “C.E.O.’s and Office Hoes” to “Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes,” and many more in between. However, there is an underlying derogatory connotation of these themes. Generally, the boys would show up in pretty much everyday attire. If they dress up at all, they would wear khakis, a polo, and maybe a visor. Girls, on the other hand, will show up in sports bras and short skirts.

To be honest, I don’t know anyone who actually shows up to play tennis wearing anything close to what we choose to wear to parties. I feel there is an underlying pressure to appear desirable and unfortunately, the corresponding idea is that females need as little clothing as possible to do that.

We feel an underlying social pressure to dress this way for multiple reasons. First, we feel the need to impress the men around us. Second, when all of our peers are doing so, it makes us feel out of the ordinary to not dress in this fashion. I know personally I have a shelf of “party” tops, and I know people who even feel the need to go out and buy clothing for certain parties or themes.

These seemingly innocent and fun themes are sexist and portray men as superior, talented, and in power, leaving the women to be something inferior. It is especially concerning seeing as the people often throwing these parties and pushing for the themes are the women they objectify. For instance, CEOs are perceived as rich and powerful men who are in charge of companies, when “office hoes” are often seen as women who care more about their sexual lives more than their jobs.

This leaves me wondering why everyone feels the need to have these themes. Of course it is fun to dress up and take pictures with your friends, but should it come at the expense of directly objectifying yourself?

I find it particularly puzzling that the girls that chose these themes, are the same one that declare themselves to be feminists and activists. Are you truly a feminist if the message you are sending with these parties is that it is okay for all the boys to call you a “hoe”?

We are already constantly shown in the media and in politics the effect of objectifying women can have. Especially with the recent Kavanaugh hearings. Christine Blasey Ford was objectified as a teenage girl at a high school party. Yet, the same girls posting to their stories in support of her choose to make themselves a different “hoe” every weekend.

I have no problem with the expression of yourself through clothing, and believe everyone should be able to dress how they want. However, by labeling people who dress this way as “hoes” we take away that freedom to dress for ourselves. For instance, if I chose to dress this way, people would assume I’m dressing to impress someone, not because it’s simply what I want to wear. As a school, we need to change this attitude so our choice are viewed as our own and not just to impress our male counterparts.

Although it can be argued this is a reclaiming of the word or just used for the rhyme, I think it is highly hypocritical to behave in both ends of this spectrum. I believe that pushing women into this box, moves backwards and undoes all the work feminists are trying to accomplish. I think that by expecting people to dress a certain way and them labeling them as a “hoe” for it completely contradicts itself. I personally think that by labeling girls for their lack of dress in order to fit a theme only allows men the privilege to call them the same derogatory words.

If people truly believe in equal rights for all genders, why are they opening the door to direct objectification by the men who come to these parties. There is obviously a way to pick themes in which we allow for our freedom of expression without allowing for our objectification.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love a theme as much as the next girl. But next time before you carelessly objectify women think why you are really doing it.