Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
This Is the Story of a Whore
It’s come to my attention, apparently I’m a whore. Who knew? It’s funny, that’s the word everyone comes at me with.... I remember the first time someone called me a whore. I was in 2nd grade.
Jazzmine BoggsPublished 6 years ago in VivaFemale Genital Mutilation Is a Woman's Health Issue
Female Genital Mutilation, or FGM for short, dates back about 2000 years. It is a practice that involves removing all or most of the clitoris, the labia minora, or both. This is an international practice that has received pushback from mostly feminist groups in the early 1990s, which led to an official FGM ban called the Female Genital Mutilation Act in 1996 stating the following: “Whoever knowingly circumcises, excises, or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia majora or labia minor or clitoris of another person who has not attained the age of eighteen years shall be fined under this title or imprisoned...” (Chase). This act made it illegal to continue the practice of FGM in the United States; however, the act is still prominent in other countries, especially in the horn of Africa. Although the practice is unlawful, including twenty-six states that have added specific laws that prohibit FGM, it is discreetly practiced among intersex infants and internationally.
Zuleika BravoPublished 6 years ago in VivaCloth Pads: Making the Switch
I had been thinking about making the switch from disposable menstrual pads to reusable cloth pads for quite a while—probably nearly a whole year. From the moment I first discovered them, I was intrigued. I wanted to be rid of the uncomfortable, irritating plastic feeling that made me dread my period and had wished for an alternative to feeling so gross for a week every month. Here it was, but I was still hesitant to make the investment.
Hazel WilliamsPublished 6 years ago in VivaAttractiveness
A simple, yet powerful observation... As a current young adult attending university, my self-esteem is a finicky thing that's being reconstructed and re-established as I learn more and more about who I am. My confidence has changed quite a bit regarding certain subjects in life, as it's expected to do.
I Was Sexually Harassed
My name is Maddie du Boulay and when I was seventeen, I was sexually harassed and I'm still haunted by it. Let's go to the beginning...
Madeleine du BoulayPublished 6 years ago in VivaHow I Deal with My Life
Hi guys. My name is Ellie and I found out at the age of 16 that I have the condition PCOS. PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and it is where there are possibly some cysts on your ovaries which could cause fertility problems in the future. Thankfully, in my case, they did an ultrasound on my ovaries and found no cysts, yet I'm still on the spectrum for the condition, as I have all the signs that go along with it. These signs can be that it is harder to lose weight and that the fat mainly gathers around your stomach or mid region. Also, there's a higher chance of depression, acne, and possibly excessive hair growth all over your body.
Ellie SmithPublished 6 years ago in VivaHe Didn't Ask and He Knew Better
Just because you're in a relationship, does not mean that you should not ask for consent. It does not mean that you have ownership over your mate's body. And it doesn't mean that rape or being taken advantage of sexually, while in a relationship, comes up void. I know...because it happened to me.
Quinci SpadyPublished 6 years ago in VivaGender Meanings in the Eyes of the Media
In the strands of predominant media, stereotypes are cultivated and influence the audience on their own views and attitudes (Goodhall, 2012). Women are underrepresented on television compared to men (Sink & Mastro, 2016), even in this golden age for women. Women are usually represented in a sexual manner for the desires of men (Farvid & Braun, 2006) or of the proposed stereotypes of women and the roles they are supposed to uphold (Coltrane & Adams, 1997) due to the instated social roles (Eagly & Steffen, 1984).
The Decriminalization of Sexual Assault by Hollywood
Thanks to Harvey Weinstein, the past several months have caused Hollywood to talk openly about sexual misconduct against women by powerful men. Despite the great number of women who opened up about being sexually harassed by Weinstein, no legal action has yet been taken against him.
The Reflection I See
Each time a loved one tells me I am beautiful, I struggle to understand what they see in me that is beautiful. The worst part is, I can't figure out if they're just saying that because they feel sorry for me, or because I LITERALLY see a different reflection staring back at me in the mirror. Not being able to distinguish between reality and delusion when it comes to your body is soul-crushing. Is what I'm seeing real? Is that really my face? Is that really my body? If that's what I really look like, how could anyone truthfully say I am beautiful?
Olivia EdwardsPublished 6 years ago in VivaGender and/or Sex
Gender and sex are two different concepts, even though they are often considered the same (Diamond, 2002). The essentialist understandings of biological differences between males and females (ergo sex) have allowed for a patriarchal society that is dominated by men (Nicholson, 1994). Sex created a division of labour due to capabilities that males had that were absent in females, and vice versa (Hartmann, 1976). Females evolved to be suited to nurturing offspring through physical and emotional care, whereas males evolved to be aggressive in order to protect sexual partners and offspring (Bjorklund & Shackelford, 1999).
“The Nature of the Photos”
"We can't do anything based on the nature of the photos taken," the woman said on the phone, her voice strained. Almost like she didn't want to say it. "I'm sorry."My insides fell to the floor. I had stepped out of a managerial meeting to take this call, this call that would let me know if my rapist would get what he deserved. Instead of reassurance, instead of knowing things were going to be okay, I find out what happened wasn't credible. I had left work shortly after getting that call.
S.M. VargasPublished 6 years ago in Viva