Should women wear make-up?

[noamnety]

134. There's a balance between society's needs and our own.

There's one answer that's the best thing for society as a whole (for ALL of us to stop participating in sexist rituals), and an opposing answer that can mean empowering us as individuals. Looking a certain way can mean being more successful in our jobs.

That's what a lot of people seem to be missing in the swimsuit debate or wrecking ball debate. "This disempowers women" seems to be always met with at least one comment pointing out how rich those individual women are as a result of their choices. Yes, no shit. Being objectified - if you can be awesome at it - can absolutely result in personal power. And yet the result can be reinforcing less power for women as a group.

I don't think women should be obligated to stop shaving their legs or wearing makeup at the office, if the result is that they get passed over for hiring or promotions. I don't believe we're obligated to become personal martyrs to the system. I wish women who were already repulsively rich and set for life weren't so greedy or looking for approval - or whatever motivates them - to continue to do things that set other women back. At some point they become like the Walmart family, personal wealth at anyone's expense. But that doesn't apply to the 99%.

I wear light makeup at work. I wish I didn't feel it was necessary. I'm not under any delusions that I'm doing it "for myself" - because when I'm home alone, I don't put it on.