There isn’t a “normal” way for a vagina to look. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. They are diverse! The word we should be going for is “diverse,” not “normal.” What has been normalized is a vagina that is similar to a pornstar’s. Perfectly shaven, small, and pink. In reality, that’s what is rare. And what you may not be aware of is that many of them pay top dollar for tricks of the trade: everything from from anal bleaching to laser hair removal. What I’m trying to get at is your vagina doesn’t have to look like a pornstar’s. I think the fact that labiaplasty– a surgery to reduce inner labia– is on the rise, goes to show how much this is affecting our culture and society. Girls feel embarrassed by their bodies. I get Tumblr messages all the time from high school girls being embarrassed and ashamed to hook up with someone because their vaginas don’t look like those they see while watching porn. And they are afraid that boys will think they are gross. Or women (many friends of mine) who are uncomfortable having someone go down on them because of what their vagina looks like. And men are grossed out by the anatomy of a Vagina but only because we are so programmed to see the body one way.
We live in a culture that is ashamed of sex, sexuality, and genitals. Women are brainwashed into thinking their genitals must be small, pink, and bare, whereas men are brainwashed into thinking they need large penises to satisfy a partner. Through the media, we are constantly taught that we are not enough. We have to have cosmetic surgeries in order to feel secure. We have to buy loads of products, makeup, etc to feel more attractive. Being attractive and fitting a standard is shaping our world. And it’s doing so negatively!
It’s important to remember that our genitals serve a purpose. They have a function, they are there to help us reproduce as well as be sexually aroused. All shapes and sizes are natural. Don’t let the media or anyone else convince you that your body is inadequate. Our culture capitalizes on poor self-esteem and on convincing young people there is a certain way we should look. And if we don’t fit that mold we are somehow inadequate. Porn should not be an example of what you think your genitals should look like. Most pornstars have procedures done to look that way– Not to mention the lighting and makeup. I’m sure if you put yourself into that exact same scenario, your genitals would look much different than they do on a day-to-day basis. As long as your genitals function and are healthy and clean, they are the way they should be. And that is enough!!! <3