Why Are We So Afraid of Vaginas?

For a society that so readily puts women on display for their bodies, we are still a wee bit squeamish about acknowledging that all our favorite parts exist underneath all that skimpy clothing we're hawking. Admittedly, it's really no one's business what goes on under there, but pretending like it doesn't exist seems akin to covering your eyes and hoping the monsters in your closet don't nibble on your exposed toes.

It was recently brought to my attention that a community I used to be a part of was the latest organization to jump on board the "pretending that vaginas don't exist" train. For the sake of open and inclusive discourse, I won't name the community here. It's not really relevant. The problem goes far beyond dorm room squabbles over the appropriateness of discussing female genitalia. If this sounds like an archaic discussion, you haven't been paying attention. In 2012, LifeWay (a chain of Christian bookstores, for the uninitiated) banned a book from their stores when they found that the author had *GASP* used the word vagina to describe her, you know, vagina. 

But religious doctrine being used to cover up the unpleasant little realities that lie in wait behind the thin veneer of underwear is hardly surprising. Perhaps a more all-encompassing and contemporary example would be more appropriate. As recently as....two weeks ago, you couldn't say the word "pussy" on Comedy Central without being bleeped into oblivion. Noting the ridiculous double standard of being able to say dick at will and not pussy, Amy Schumer and her staff finally put their foot down. Dan Powell, an executive producer for Inside Amy Schumer, penned a letter to network execs bemoaning said double standard.....and won!

Indeed, it would seem that this is a victory for the level-headed crowd. However, keep in mind that this is one network's decision concerning one particular aspect of vaginas. The humorous discussion of vaginas (or pussies, if you will) on Comedy Central may be fair game, but there are still countless other networks and mediums that clench their collective asshole at the very mention of the subject. 

Beyond the fact that a vagina is a body part just like any other, the unwillingness to verbalize gives it an unnecessarily sexual connotation. The world's pearl-clutching/smelling salts-fetching behavior stems from the idea that the vagina is "dirty" and profane. It's the same bullshit moral high horse that causes people to descend into madness over women breastfeeding in public. However, I digress.

Look, I understand that a community event is often not the place to shout about obscene subjects. I would like you to understand that the vagina is not obscene. Neither is the hymen, clitoris, placenta and whatever other words cause people these days to faint out of horror. If your child is just now being introduced to the word vagina, that is, perhaps, your failing as a parent to appropriately prepare your progeny for a world that is just around 50% vaginas (citations needed).

Food for thought.