The Controversy of Anti-Rape Devices

The high rates of rape in Africa has inspired deadly anti-rape devices, one of the earliest form of an anti-rape device is the chastity belt from the 15th century. Anti-rape devices can be a wonderful thing to protect the wearer, but there has been lots of criticism towards the public sale of the device. It is believed by some, to be a cruel method, and that it could do more harm than good by enraging the attacker and further jeopardizing the victim.

Here are some moderns ones:

Rape-aXe: Invented by a South African Woman, Sonnet Ehlers. It is a latex sheath embedded with shafts of sharp barbs, worn inside the women. When the attacker attempts the rape and his penis touches the device, it would get snagged and he would be in pain. It could only be removed surgically, which would alert the authorities that he attempted a rape.

Jaap Haumann: A tampon like device invented by a South African Man named Jaap Haumann, it has a tensioned spring blade that will slice the tip of the attacker’s’s penis.

Imagine: How would our society change, if these devices were sold in drugstores? Would the world be a safer place? Is it guaranteed that each buyer would only buy it maturely for its purpose, and not as a joke on a guy during intercourse?

What Makes a Lolita, a Lolita? The Psychology Behind it

Lolita fashion has grown popularity over the few decades, originating from Japan, and branching out to other countries. It is said, that fashion designer and musician Mana Sama was the one that made the fashion popular, particularly in gothic lolita category. Lolita fashion is based on the Victorian/Rococo Era. The Lolita fashion often has the same concept: Lots of lace, frills/ruffles, bows, puffy skirts, mary-jane shoes, stockings, parasols, thick fake eyelashes, or anything to give a doll-like appearance. But what makes lolita, what it is? And what drives people, into this fashion movement?

To give a brief overview of the categories within Lolita fashion before we go off to talking about what makes a lolita, a lolita, there are:


•Aristocrat: Skirts are often long and slimming, along with slimming frilled blouses, and tailcoats. It can look like something from the Victorian/Rococo Era. This is one of the more mature styles within lolita.
•Casual Lolita: Name explanatory, the style is a mix of casual clothing put together the right way to become a lolita outfit.
•Classic Lolita: Often having floral patterns, this style aims to look classy, as if you were going to a Victorian Tea Party. This is one of the more toned down styles within lolita.
•Cosplay Lolita: It is believed that Cosplay is not considered part of Lolita, as it is felt that the standards are not met and that it feels fake. An example could be a nurse outfit.
•Country Lolita: Often with bell-shaped skirts, this style has floral/fruity/”country patterns.” Something a country girl may wear while going out to pick fruits.
•Ero Lolita: Contains fetish elements such as corsets, leathers, fishnets, etc.
•Gothic Lolita: Mixing Victorian Gothic elements into the style, and the outfits are often dark with few to no colors. Makeup is also dark and intense.
•Guro Lolita: Incorporating gory elements such as blood splattering on clothing, or an eyepatch. As odd as it seems, this is still considered lolita while cosplay lolita truly isn’t
•Hime Lolita: “Princess Lolita” The point of it is to look princess-like, whether with crowns or huge elaborate skirts and hair.
•Kodona: The image of a kodona looks tomboyish w. few feminine elemts, similar to what a male aristocrat would wear.
•Kuro Lolita: Wearing only black.
•Punk Lolita: Mixing eastern punk fashion with lolita. Plaid is often popular.
•Sailor Lolita: Inspired by Japanese sailor school girl uniforms. It looks like a school girl outfit except the skirt may be puffier, and of course the sailor collar.
•Shiro Lolita: Wearing only white.
•Sweet Lolita: One of the most extreme styles within lolita, and very child-like. Pastel colors are common, with motifs of sweet items such as cupcakes, fruits, flowers, hearts, etc. Along with many bows and frills.
•Wa Lolita: Incorporating modern looking kimonos into the style. The skirts are shorter of that of a traditional kimono, and puffier.

One theory is that the lolita followers want to live in a fantasy world of continuous childhood (applies to the more child-like lolita styles), as when you are a child, there is nothing to worry about, everything is safe and sound. In the adult world, people can be deceiving and you also have to take on harsh responsibilities. A second theory, is for the self-expression of your femininity, bringing out the princess in you! A third, is for being able to control your sexuality, not necessarily to drive men away from women, but to just have control of the modern society’s standard of sexiness.

Being lolita isn’t just all looks. It’s believed that “True Lolita-ness” also has strict guidelines, in way of living, such as how to act or what to do. Or simply whatever reason you choose to become one.

My personal experience with the lolita fashion: I was drawn to the fashion because I felt everything about it is just so adorable and elegant, and that in modern times people can actually still dress up like something from a fantasy/fairy tale. When I’m in my lolita style, I feel happy and free, and I can live life as if it was a true fairy tale, everything would be beautiful.  You don’t have to have it, to feel it. In every-day life, I don’t always dress up as a lolita, and most U.S. lolitas don't on a daily basis, in the U.S. it is not something that is quite common to be wearing on the streets, so I feel a bit shy, but if I was in Japan, I would. I feel lolita has changed my way of thinking significantly, it’s more than just a “fashion,” if you’re a lolita, you would know.

“This style is not influenced by fashion, I hope it’s your style, your way of life, no matter what anyone tells you. I want you to love the world for all your life” –Mana Sama

Photo Example of gothic lolita style~Magazine Page of innovator Mana Sama

Introduction

"Cheres Femmes" is french for "Dear Women." This blog is dedicated to all the women out there, featuring a variety of women-related blogs, such as fashion,health,beauty,women issues/rights,and anything related to the race of women. 

We hope this blog will bring together a close knit community of women, sharing with eachother problems and even fun talk about fashion.  We hope this blog give you the opportunities to connect with other women, and know that you're not alone.

For centuries we women has been a victim of inferiority to men, during the last couple decades our rights has improved significantly. We must be the strong women we are meant to be and live our lives the way it's meant to be lived. Let no one bring you down, you're beautiful inside and out!