Dr. Wesely is much more than her title names her to be. She works as a part of the Criminal Justice department, but she is also an author, an advocate for equality in its entirety, and an amazing example of what is to come from a collegiette once she puts her mind to something.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College, and a master’s and PhD in Justice Studies from Arizona State, Dr. Wesely finds herself focusing heavily on social justice. She has written two books called “Hard Lives, Mean Streets: Violence in the Live of Homeless Women,” and “Being Female: The Continuum of Sexualization,” all based on from research that she has done. I was particularly interested in her most recent, where Dr. Wesely explains the continuum of sexualization in the lives of sex workers.
In a gist, Dr. Wesely explains that from an early age, girls are exposed to this spectrum of sexualization. On one end lives what she calls “Typical Gender Socialization,” where we are constantly, but subconsciously objectified, and told that our appearance is the most important thing about ourselves. On the other end, this “realization” is much more prominent in women’s lives. .
“Girls learn from an early age that they are valued for how they look,” says Wesely. “So one of the big things I talk about along the continuum is objectification. When girls learn at a young age that they’re valued for their appearance, and that that should take precedence over a lot of other things that we value in our society, it’s teaching girls that they’re objects, and that they’re there for the consumption of society.”
Throughout the interview, Dr. Wesely makes it clear that she is not saying that taking pride in your appearance should be looked down on, or that it is perpetuating the idea that women or objects. As a matter of fact, she loves the idea in being proud of what you look like! She identifies herself as a postmodern feminist, (who still focuses on the political side of feminism), and she whole heartedly supports self-empowerment and body positivity. But, we want you to know that you are more than what you look like.
Basically, you are beauty and brains and brawns, and it is vital to understand this, even if society tells you differently.
“Once someone is able to reflect on the fact that there are other aspects that are important about their identity beyond their appearance, then they can direct attentions towards things that are valued in society,” says Wesely. “Because, the truth is, no matter how a girl or a college aged woman looks, it’s not going to get her elected president. … What we truly value in society is reflected by the people that hold power positions. When you’re talking about social, cultural, economic power, what girls are being told to focus on isn’t going to get them those things.”
While it is true that our society glorifies beautiful people, it is also true that the ones who have the most power and the most success are those who use more than their looks. Embrace your talents and your skills. Highlight every part of you, not just the parts that society deems visually important.
It’s a lot of work to break away from societal norms, and so much of Dr. Wesely’s research and findings have paved a way to realizing how necessary it is.
But, she has advice for you all.
“Do the best you can to think critically and act consciously every day,” she says. “But remember, too, that change takes time. Be patient, especially with yourself.”
It will all take time, but in the end, it will be worth it.