I’ll vajazzle you with this

This fall, many Luther students, including myself, read an article in Cosmopolitan titled, “Would You Do This to Your Vagina?” The article highlighted many current vagina trends that I had never heard of, including “vajazzling,” a cross between the words “vagina” and “bedazzle.”

Vajazzling I learned, is the decoration of the vulva or pubic area with jewels. In fact, when you get vajazzled, you can choose from patterns like a flower or a heart, or ask for a custom design. The crystals have an adhesive on the backside and last five days. Many celebrities have admitted to “vajazzling,” including Kathy Griffin and Jennifer Love Hewitt. At first I was amused, but this soon subsided into revulsion. I was interested to learn that this is becoming an increasingly popular trend in our society today. What is the significance of vajazzling, and what does this mean in our society today?

Is vajazzling a way of celebrating female genitalia, or yet another way of altering and hiding it? Many people argue that vajazzling is completely harmless, and has nothing to do with “controlling bodies.” They argue it is merely a personal statement, a choice. Those opposed to vajazzling argue that it is harmful, as it is another form of altering the vagina from its natural state.

When I told my little brother I was writing an article on “vajazzling,” he told me he was opposed to it and I quote: “Every day, we as a society are presented with ways in which to improve our image and make us more desirable: teeth whitening, diet/exercise, make up and clothing. Vajazzling is just another way in which women are told they can improve their image.”

I think the real issue at hand isn’t merely “vajazzling” but the reasons in which we are persuaded as consumers to have the procedure done. Vajazzling is sold on the premise of sexual empowerment, and that “we will feel better about ourselves.” Vajazzling is no different from many products that are advertised to make us believe that self-worth can be bought. We are taught that by purchasing a product, we can feel wanted, beautiful, and even loved. Does empowerment lie within a bedazzled crotch? No; it can only come from within one’s self.