Helen Mirren Says Arms Around Girls = "Ownership"??

So a few days ago, British actress Helen Mirren stirred a bit of controversy with her thoughts on when she sees a male and female couple together and the male has his arm around the female. She went on to say “It annoys me when I see men with an arm slung round their girlfriend’s shoulders. It’s like ownership. Of course, when you’re young, you want the guy to take your hand and look after you.

"But when I see girls being leaned on, I want to say, 'Tell him to get his damned arm off your shoulder'."
This caused many people, including females, to speak out against Mirren's comments and I'm compelled to give my own two cents as well seeing as how I am one of those males who when I'm in a relationship with a girl tend to put my arm around her shoulder too.

First off, I strongly disagree with Helen's comments, though in a way I see where she's possibly coming from. In high school I've known some girls who just wanted a male companion to whisk them away, hold them close, etc. And unfortunately there are still males out there who will just see females as something to have rather than something to know. In college I've witnessed to a couple of these types of people. However, Mirren isn't targeting these specific people since in her comments she's made clear that she means ALL couples, as if all the different types of couples are all being generalized into one stereotype: The young daydreaming girl with the dumb male who sees her as something he owns.

Here's the thing, Helen Mirren...Not all couples are the same. Trust me, I've known many different girls in my young life and I still haven't seen any that were remotely alike. Also, I think Helen is confusing what she's seeing as "ownership" and "affection". Physical contact is common among couples because they want to get closer together both in the emotional, mental, and physical sense. It's what differentiates romantic relationships with friendships. I also find it odd that Helen targets men putting their arms around women's shoulders. I once dated a girl who put HER arm around MY shoulder. Did that mean she saw me as her property? Maybe. But all poor attempts at humor aside, I must ask what about Helen Mirren's husband?

This is a picture of Helen Mirren with her husband, Taylor Hackford. Notice his arm is around her back. True, that's not her shoulder but I couldn't find the picture where she had rested her hand on his chest. Is this not what Helen Mirren considers "ownership" also? What is so different from when Helen Mirren is ok with her husband showing her affection by holding her close and yet THIS picture "annoys" her?

This double standard nonsense confuses and annoys me at the same time. I sometimes fear of what will next be considered "ownership" by biased people who feel the need to complain about something that doesn't affect them at all. Perhaps hugging will now be considered "ownership? Or how about kissing? Holding hands? There's a difference from empowering women and telling them "leave room for Jesus" in a way that doesn't help anyone at all.

Thanks for Putting Up With My Oddness

I honestly dont think I'll ever understand how some people will ever look back at their high school years and see them as a positive, non-scarring, and all around pleasant experience. Of course I understand not everyone's high school years are going to be the same story, but I think we can agree we've all experienced being a social outcast at some point, and the hell of coming to grips that you may never truly be that super popular, well liked, and always involved student that all schools claim you'll be. If you are or were one of those students, congratulations. I envy you. Seriously. I wish I was one of those people. Even now I still kind of do. I always like to imagine myself as this David Tennant Doctor Who/Sherlock Holmes (pick any version) mix, when in reality I'm probably more like Peter Parker. The Tobey Maguire version. Yeah, that level of derpiness. What I enjoy about college is that college praises diversity. You can be yourself and people don't give you any nonsense about it. High school, from my perspective, seemed like you had to be what everyone expected of you. When I'd try to be what people wanted me to be, I became the target of ridicule and teasing. When I gave up on trying to conform with everyone else and be myself, the situation still didn't change. I sometimes wonder if the reason college appreciates you being more diverse is because people grew up and realized being the same was boring and did more damage than it did good. Whenever I look back or am reminded of the less than stellar parts of my high school career I can't help but feel anxious and uncomfortable. I still clench up at the mere thought. I had an experience yesterday when I was with a group of students and I felt almost invisible, unable to speak or move out of anxiety. Thankfully back then I knew people who helped me make it through those years and I am extremely grateful to them. I'm getting better at letting go of those memories and trying to focus on the present, as well as being more open about things. Thank you for putting up with my oddness.

My 5 Word Response to Kim Davis

Bigotry cannot be tolerated, nor should the Bible be counted as law. I found this meme a much more humorous response than making a video on it. :)