The Challenge of Space

 The Challenge of Space

The importance of femininity in the spacial world

  

Women taking up space: “power posing”-men taking up space: “manspreading” from Stupid Girl 

 Any other women sick of all the mansplaining men do? From city-data.com

     

Both of the women in these photos are clearly trying to get through a dull commute and nothing significant is immediately apparent in these pictures. If you take another look, however, you will see both of these women using their bodies to take up physical space. In the photo above, you can see women further away in the frame with crossed legs and hunched over positions. In the photo on the right, a woman is occupying three seats on the bus. While in some contexts this may seem rude or inconsiderate, it is a great representation of the importance of women taking up physical space. Consider these questions:

What does expanded body language signify? 

Why is the visual of the women taking up space so important?

How do you present your own body in the world?

People who identify as women or those who lean towards identifying as feminine have likely run into conflict with the physical space surrounding them. Many young girls are taught to take up as little space as possible, both figuratively and literally. The feminine place in the world is small and frail, which leaves room for men to unnecessarily intrude on space. Women are expected to make space for others, and this body language reduces their power. Sandra Lee Bartkey breaks down the concept of feminine space in her work in The Politics of Women’s Bodies, stating, “There are significant gender differences in gesture, posture, movement, and general bodily comportment: women are far more restricted than men in their manner of movement and in their spaciality” (Bartky 81). In every aspect of life, women are trained to be submissive and to put others before them, they are encouraged to keep their bodies and movements small. A person’s ability to control their body in physical space can also be a measure of their confidence in less tangible spaces, such as in the world of success and social roles. 

The term, “manspreading” may be a familiar concept to most, as it is typically referenced to joke about the power men have and the lack of pushback they face within the world in comparison to women. Masculinity is making your body big and noticeable to others in the physical world, which translates to power and confidence in other aspects of life. Another representation of this idea comes from the less mainstream term, “womanspreading,” which basically proves women who make an effort to make their bodies bold find success and power within industries that are not typically welcoming towards women. 

A feminine trailblazer in this idea is the newly famous rapper/singer, Lizzo. Lizzo is known for her body positivity and her persona is focused on encouraging women to present with their biggest and boldest selves. A favorite Lizzo song of mine is “Tempo” which encourages women to move their bodies and take up as much space as possible because they are allowed to make themselves noticed and take as much as they need to be comfortable and confident. 

Another figure with similar messages to Lizzo, is scholar/activist Dr. Sami Schalk. Schalk encourages people to be confident in their bodies and specifically emphasizes black, disabled, bodies in her work. In a recent class discussion with Dr. Schalk, I was impressed with her ability to take up space in the room despite attending the class virtually. She sat tall and was able to create the room around herself with her tone and upper body language. Even though Dr. Schalk could not show us her confidence through her body language within the room, (ie. sitting in a chair without her legs crossed, moving her arms widely, spreading her belongings out in front of her) she instead maintained a powerful yet kind tone and ensured the headshot view we had of her displayed poise and confidence.

It is difficult to practice taking up space in our own lives, I have to make a conscious effort to do little things like not move out of the way for a group of people walking past me that is taking up too much space. One thing I have personally mastered is allowing my legs to take up space when I’m seated. Body language changes the way others see us, and in order to feel more confident, I like to be aware of my own space and make an effort to remain confident in taking up as much space as my body needs to feel comfortable in each situation. It’s a challenge to check yourself so frequently, but creating a habit of being both big and bold will get everyone closer to defining femininity as strong and powerful and worthy of being noticed. 

References

“Any Other Women Sick of All the Mansplaining Men Do? (San Francisco, Working) - Politics and Other Controversies -Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Conservatives, Liberals, Third Parties, Left-Wing, Right-Wing, Congress, President - Page 23 - City-Data Forum.” City, www.city-data.com/forum/politics-other-controversies/2865984-any-other-women-sick-all-mansplaining-23.html.

Bartkey, Sandra Lee. “Foucault, Femininity, and the Modernization of Patriarchal Power.” The Politics of Women's Bodies, 2010.

Dr. Sami Schalk, samischalk.com/.

Friedman, Danielle. “What Happens When Women Start Taking up Space?” Medium, Forge, 24 Oct. 2019, forge.medium.com/what-happens-when-women-start-taking-up-space-4ce5a3206853.

Levine, Nick. “Why Lizzo Was the Star Who Defined 2019.” BBC Culture, BBC, 2019, www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191218-why-lizzo-was-the-star-who-defined-2019.

Lizz0plusLarvaInk. “Lizzo - Tempo (Feat. Missy Elliott) [Official Video].” YouTube, YouTube, 26 July 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srq1FqFPwj0.

“Women Taking up Space: ‘Power Posing’–Men Taking up Space: ‘Manspreading.’” Stupid Girl, 1 Feb. 2016, blogstupidgirl.wordpress.com/2016/02/01/when-women-take-up-space-its-called-power-posing-when-men-take-up-space-its-called-manspreading/.