In a post #MeToo world, you'd think that people would be more cautious when it comes to talking about women's sexuality, and how they choose to express it. While men are praised for celebrating their bodies, and their sexual conquests; women are expected to conform to near-impossible conceptions of beauty, but remain objects, rather than subjects of their sexuality. It's a double standard that has plagued the sexes since the dawn of modern society, and it won't quit rearing its ugly head.
Case in point: Jenna Dewan Tatum, who proves that you can be a parent, and look fabulous doing so... yet get eviscerated by trolls on the internet for the sheer audacity of being confident in your own skin. The 37-year-old enjoys posting risqué snaps on Instagram because it's her prerogative to do so - and let's face it - she's smoking hot, and that kind of sexy should be shared with the world. However, one of her recent posts seemingly attracted all the trolls on the internet, and it's for the most ridiculous reason.
Actress and dancer, Jenna Dewan Tatum, was clearly feeling herself recently and decided to post some saucy photographs on Instagram. "Only [Jennifer Lopez] can make a girl drop everything, put her favourite bodysuit on and take a spontaneous random picture in her closet using Kira Kira," she captioned the image.
And although the snap wasn't explicit, and was clearly intended to celebrate her friendship with J-Lo (with whom she co-hosts the dance competition show, World of Dance), that didn't stop trolls from shaming her for baring her enviable physique. "Why do you feel you have to be almost [naked] in your pictures. You're beautiful but please stop showing it to the world," one social media user wrote, while another added: "Whatever, you are super vain, and uber in love with yourself. Quit trying to be selfless."
However, it didn't just stop there. People took offence at the fact that Jenna is a mother to 4-year-old Everly, yet proudly celebrates her sexuality. "Unfollowing. She’s a mother. No need for these posts," one individual asserted.
Another Instagram user even went as far to ask if Jenna's husband, Channing Tatum, had "approved" her post. I mean, forgive me for thinking that we'd moved past the Victorian era.
What's most disturbing here is that Jenna Dewan Tatum was not only being attacked for posting an image that some would find "provocative" and "attention seeking", but that she was being trolled for being a wife and mother too. Just because you're a mother doesn't mean you can't be sexy. And this should go without saying, but Jenna is not Channing Tatum's property - they're partners; equal in name, status and sexuality.
Sheesh. I thought we were all meant to be feminists, folks...
In related news, Channing Tatum has left a film after the allegations made against Harvey Weinstein.