Paulina Porizkova proudly shares how she celebrates her body in a recent Instagram post, while also addressing objectification.
On Friday, the 57-year-old model posted a stripped-down photo of herself sitting on a bed with nothing but a bedsheet draped across her torso. In a long caption alongside, she wrote a thoughtful sentiment about the portrayal of the naked female body.
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A post shared by Paulina Porizkova (@paulinaporizkov)
"In a partriarchal [sic] society, women have always been seen as objects of desire or nurture. Because these are the needs of men who run the world. This is why youth and beauty are such a strong currency," she wrote, questioning how the power dynamic switches when a woman "objectifies" herself by choosing to share revealing photos. "She is taking the powers she has been given and using them in her own interest but is simultaneously helping to perpetuate a system which has always existed."
She came to the conclusion that, in doing so, a woman will be "shamed and celebrated by both the perpetrators and the victims," while men are still held to a different standard. "Under these same rules, a man seizing his power is celebrated. He will only be shamed for NOT taking the opportunity," she continued.
Porizkova has encountered numerous examples of shaming when it comes to the content that she posts on her own platform. Back in April, she even responded to a commenter who shared his belief that the model is too old to be posting revealing photos.
"You must be in so much pain to keep posting bikini pictures at your age," he wrote. Porizkova replied, "I get comments like these every time I post a photo of my body. This is the ageist shaming that sets my teeth on edge. Older men are distinguished, older women are ugly."
Porizkova, who continues to share her personal experience with aging on social media, explained that objectification "falls mainly into the realm of youth," pointing out how the perception of exposure and what is considered acceptable evolve as you mature.
"When I was a young model exposing my body, it was because someone else approved of it. Someone else decided it was to be celebrated," she wrote. "I didn’t know enough to have an understanding of consequences. Hence, objectification."
As an adult woman, the dynamics of consent and intention have changed. "Now, when I expose my body, it is with my full knowledge and consent," she wrote. "Hence, celebration."
People took part in celebrating Porizkova as well and praising her message.
"Cheers to that sentiment and to you," photographer Nigel Barker commented.
"As women we need to support and celebrate each other more," another wrote. "You go girl."
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