Why there's nothing scandalous about a Magaluf 'walk of shame'
Humiliated. Mocked. Shamed. These are the words being used to describe the young women who have ended up on a Facebook page called ‘Magaluf Walk of Shame’. The holidaymakers have been photographed and videoed walking along the streets of the Spanish town in broad daylight, in various states of undress.
The assumption, made by the creators of the Facebook group, social media and various tabloids is that these women have been 'caught out' in a mortifying situation: the walk home that follows a one night stand or random sexual encounter.
The whole thing is dripping in shame. There is an overwhelming sense that these young women (even though some men are also featured, it is naturally the women's photos that have gone viral) should now, in the cold light of day, regret every second of that alcohol-fuelled hedonism.
But this narrative of humiliation is in direct contrast to the pictures themselves, which generally show the women laughing and smiling as they stroll home in the sunshine, carrying their shoes.
Sat in front of our computers or looking at our phones, we have no idea in what context the photos were taken, whether they follow a one-night stand, snooze on the beach, or all-night dancing session. We don’t even know who the pictures were taken by - it could be friends who submitted the pictures as a joke, or strangers who didn't ask permission to publicly share the images.
But everyone sat at home in 'shock' at the antics of these 'Shagaluf' holidaymakers, is not only missing the point but shaming these women who deserve neither our raised eyebrows or pity.
Many of the images aren’t scandalous in themselves - they might show the odd bum cheek, but it’s no more than anyone would see on the beach (and they are, remember, in a beach town). But the fact that they have been framed in a sexual way and labelled with the word ‘shame’ means that now, many of those featured will be faced with explaining their actions to family and friends. They may feel humiliated, where before they just felt happy and carefree.
The effects of this can be dangerous.
Back in 2013, a teenager was photographed performing a sex act on two men at an Eminem concert at Slane Castle. She was given the label ‘Slane girl’, but her real name was released on social media. At the time, it was reported that she was so affected by the cruel publicity that she had to be hospitalised.
While in 2014, a woman on holiday in Magaluf was shamed on social media for performing oral sex on 24 men in a bar in two and a half minutes, on the vague promise of free booze. The internet was awash with people trying to identify her, after a video of the incident was released. While those who took and shared the footage, of course, walked away unharmed.
None of the images on this new Facebook page show sex acts taking place. But the women pictured and slapped with the label 'walk of shame' are no less vulnerable. Their actions and appearance may seem questionable to many, but none of us know the context. Who are we to criticise them?
So many of us will have murky moments of our own - be they inappropriate sexual encounters or embarrassing holiday antics - but have been lucky that they didn't find their way online. Think of yours now and imagine them being shared on a social media site, potentially by complete strangers who know nothing about you, the circumstances or who even care.
Even if these women are doing the ‘walk of shame’ it's none of our business. The problem is that we assume every woman who has a one-night stand will wake up regretting it in some way, or feeling remorse. (While the man beat his chest and bellows at his irresistable testosterone levels). That is no longer true - and perhaps never was.
As one 27-year-old friend tells me: “I’ve never ever felt embarrassed walking home after a one-night stand. I’m normally so proud of myself that I end up taking a selfie and sending it to all my friends. What’s to be humiliated about? It’s just proof you’ve had an amazing night, and, if you’re lucky, an orgasm. There’s nothing shameful about that.”
No doubt many of the ladies of Magaluf -and everywhere else - would agree.
