Why are women like Kim Kardashian glorified all over the media? In regards to her latest stunt of “breaking the internet” with nudes for Paper Magazine: I am all for people being proud of their appearance, but shouldn’t people be equally proud when clothed?

When images like these are celebrated, what message are they sending to young girls and about our society?  Do we care? Should there be some societal boundaries?  Women who showcase their bodies and have nothing else to offer should not be treated as the epitome of feminine empowerment and beauty, but society seems to accept the opposite and I do not understand the real purpose.

As women, we can feel liberated to show our curves and assets, but that is not what our liberation was fought for. There are other ways that we can realize and achieve that freedom.

• Women in the world are still fighting for equality in many facets of life. Too many are selling themselves voluntarily or involuntarily for personal and corporation profit, but there are not enough of us setting foundations for our gender and overall communities. There are not enough women sitting at the head of organizations and women are still not getting paid for an equal days work.

• There is still more for women of all colors, backgrounds, and countries to accomplish in obtaining our full rights and combating the idea that we cannot be leaders or that feminism is a man hating offense that everyone should shy away from. We still have to eradicate the notion that if we get raped or abused, it’s our fault and that we should not speak up about it.

• There are women and young girls in other countries facing many other abuses including being denied an education, kidnapped to be brides or sex slaves, or even mutilated, raped, or murdered for “cultural” reasoning.

The list goes on and on. We have come a long way, but there is still more to be done around the world.

Because of this, idolizing an heiress who became rich and famous for pornography while other women who are trying to make a difference are being ignored is a backwards step. It seems like part of a cycle of dysfunction that in some ways keeps women from reaching our full equality in this world. I am not saying that women should be covered from head to toe especially if it’s not a personal choice. However, there’s a difference between sexy and trashy.  Trashy isn’t sexy and sexy doesn’t have to be trashy.

I wish this sentiment could be echoed throughout society. And I am not “slut shaming” certain women, only stating that women and young girls need choices and freedom to be who we want to be. We can be brilliant, courageous, goal-oriented, powerful, and trailblazing as any man if we choose to be. We can be amazing forces whether we are housewives, entertainers, businesswomen, CEOS, or etc. We can make a difference in the lives of other women and young girls as well as men and boys around the world.

So why is our world still focusing solely on our faces and bodies and why do some women feel the need to continue this pattern?

While growing up, I felt that there were a few diverse women to look up to. However, when I look at some women in the media or in the entertainment industry now, all I see is more limitations plastered everywhere. Young girls should not have to be forced to live up to ridiculous standards of femininity that society keeps perpetuating.

There have been some recent changes with the addition of women in lead prime-time television roles, female athletes making great strides, female reporters being given dynamic stories or positions in media, and female executives, directors, or producers promoting innovative shows or films.

Despite these developments, it feels like the message for girls and women especially in entertainment is to be dependent on your sex appeal as opposed to letting your talent dictate your marketability. Women continue to be objectified and female entertainers who try to be different are not always household names for the most part. Kim Kardashian and several others who have helped to saturate news and social media are furthering a trend that has never been applied to the majority of men in the industry.

Entertainment is supposed to be based on craft and authenticity. Of course sex is always going to sell, but shouldn’t substance sell more?