Vulgar who decides?

Vulgarity: Who Draws the Borders?

In our society, the word "vulgar" crystallizes fantasies and contradictions. If you type this term into a search engine, you will mainly find images of women, often accompanied by advice to appear "sexy without excess." This focus is not trivial; it reveals a collective obsession, a constant surveillance of the slightest deviation from female conduct. These images, these representations, contribute to a social norm that seeks to control the expression of femininity by limiting its multiple facets and various ways of being. This book specifically questions these notions by deconstructing the mechanics of a norm that imposes a restrictive vision of what femininity is or should be, and by highlighting the diversity of possible expressions. It invites reflection on how society constructs these borders and their impact on individual freedom, self-esteem, and the perception one has of oneself as a woman or a person assigned female at birth.

A Choral and Committed Work

What strikes when reading this book is the richness of the voices intertwined within. The coordinator, a long-standing committed author, does not sign a simple manifesto. She brings together several strong voices, each offering a different perspective, a unique experience, to paint a nuanced and plural portrait of the question of female vulgarity. It is essential to understand that the perception of vulgarity is not an intrinsic characteristic of a person but is strongly dependent on social, cultural, and political context. The diversity of identities, backgrounds, origins, bodies, social classes, sexual orientations, and trans or racial experiences influences how this notion is applied or contested. In this sense, the book invites collective reflection on the social construction of norms, while showing that freedom of expression and the fight against stereotypes rely on awareness of these multiple dynamics.

When Bodies Speak

Each of the authors approaches this question with a different sensitivity, blending personal testimonies, analyses, and sociological reflections. Being a woman in our society often means walking a tightrope, constantly suspected of deviating from the "good taste" or falling into "bad femininity." Racial dimension, transidentity, body size, or social class play a decisive role in these judgments. Reading these texts reveals the symbolic violence endured by those perceived as "out of norms" and shows how these injunctions serve to maintain social hierarchies, reinforcing power and domination. These voices remind us that the perception of vulgarity is not neutral but always tinged with prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, which shape how each individual is judged, labeled, or marginalized.

Intertwined Testimonies and Analyses

This collection is not limited to abstract theoretical reflection. It also gives voice to those who have experienced stigma, insult, or disapproving looks. It reveals pain, resilience, and determination of women who refuse to be confined by clichés or stereotypes. They question the legitimacy of those claiming to define what is "decent" or "indecent," denouncing social control exercised through the body, manner of dressing, speaking, or behaving. These testimonies illustrate how social pressure is a tool of power, used to maintain hierarchies and restrict freedom of expression. By sharing their stories, they demonstrate that fighting vulgarity is also a struggle for autonomy, recognition, and dignity.

An Essential Read

This book stands out for its ability to combine rigorous sociological insight with moving personal narratives. It is addressed to all those who want to deconstruct the prejudices still very present around femininity, sexuality, and appearance. It invites reflection on individual freedom in the face of social judgment, showing that these issues are not only aesthetic but also deeply political. With its 160 pages, it can be read quickly, but its message remains lasting, emphasizing the importance of rethinking our norms, judgments, and criteria of what is "acceptable" or not. It is an essential work to have in any library dedicated to contemporary sociology, the fight for gender equality, and the defense of individual freedoms against social pressures.