opinion
Discussions about a picture
Leni Klum shows her chest – but the problem is not the photo
A photo of Leni Klum sparked wild discussions on social networks. But why actually?
© Britta Pedersen / DPA
The 17-year-old Leni Klum is sometimes harshly criticized for a picture on Instagram. That says more about the outraged than about Heidi Klum’s daughter. A comment.
Leni Klum posted a photo. A photo in which – while the rest of the body is clothed – she covers her left breast with one hand. (Read more about it here.)
You can think it’s good when a 17-year-old poses so confidently in front of a camera. One can find it difficult when a woman shows herself freely, especially at a young age. But in the end, the discussion about the photo of an aspiring model says more about the discussion than about Leni Klum himself – and that is quite easy to trace in some aspects.
Leni Klum: a crack runs through the comment column
It is particularly noticeable that when asked what is appropriate in social networks and what one is suddenly outraged about, there is a crack in the comment column – which can be easily recognized by the age of the commentator. While Leni receives a lot of encouragement from young followers and other models, a large number of critical contributions come from people who are at least 15 or 20 years older than the young model. And no, it does not speak for the supposedly “more grown-ups” to immediately raise the admonishing index finger. Because they also show that they have not understood that young people like to show themselves in social networks the way they want to show themselves. Whether that fits in with the morals of those who grew up without Instagram or not.
The criticism doesn’t get any better if you just soberly find out that a young model was photographed here for a magazine that introduces newcomers to the industry. Leni Klum, who also almost certainly received the best advice from one of the most successful models of our time, her own mother, did what models have been doing for decades – at some point they dare to make their first big appearance, whether in front of a camera or on a catwalk. In the past, before our society invented the comment function, the general public couldn’t get outraged about it.
Worst of all, however, is that the artificial indignation does a disservice to all young women who stand up for more self-confidence and an emancipated image of women. And let’s be honest: The outcry would of course not be so great if a son and not a daughter of Heidi Klum had stood in front of a camera in an airy outfit. Which brings us back to a point that has been discussed far too often: the over-sexualization of the female body. Even in 2021.
Anyone who comments on a bottom line harmless photo, on which you can not see much more than in any village open-air swimming pool, in such a sexualising manner, who can no longer contain himself when a little more skin of a young woman can be seen, has a problem himself. And not Leni Klum. Fortunately, the days when women had to apologize for wearing tight clothes or hide their bodies as well as possible are over. And as long as nothing forbidden is to be seen, it doesn’t matter whether a person is 17, 19 or 37.
The problem is not Leni Klum’s photo
Do you have to post such photos on Instagram in the end? Fortunately, everyone can decide for themselves. But, dear outraged people, finally see: It is not your construction site. So take a deep breath. And let a young model do what she wants to do. The problem is not that Leni Klum is showing her chest. The problem is your comments.
Read here: Too Much Bare Skin for a 17-Year-Old? Leni Klum is criticized for the first time in her still young career.