The Bachelor’s disgraceful display of double standards

THE Bachelor has now taken to shaming women’s career choices for ratings. What a disgraceful display of double standards, writes Vanessa Croll.

Forcing women to expose their pasts and then justify their reasons for living said past because they involved nudity is a disgraceful display of double standards. (Pic: the Bachelor/Channel 10)

THE Bachelor has now taken to slut shaming for ratings.

It’s a new low, even for a reality show that pits 22 women against each other in order to win the affections of one man.

For the past week, Channel 10 has been airing teasers about the “skeletons” that were to come out of some girls’ closets when Bachelor Matty J’s sister visits the mansion.

These so-called skeletons turned out to be the previous careers of two of the women.

Yes, Leah and Simone both worked as topless waitresses and shock, horror Leah also runs a business that hires out… wait for it… strippers. For male entertainment, let’s not forget.

The entire episode revolved around exposing these so-called “dirty secrets” — neither of which the girls appeared to have any shame in sharing.

Leah is confronted by Matty J about her business as though it is something she should be ashamed of. (Pic The Bachelor)

And why should they? The hype around the episode and the drama that unfolded in the house would have us assume that producers think this is something they should be very ashamed of, as if they had hidden a murder conviction, or a past life as a thief.

Using the unconvincing idea that it was the not telling Matty that was the problem, rather than the jobs themselves; the episode played like a witch hunt.

It was not any more dishonest to omit this information from a man they’ve only had minimal chance to speak with than it would be for others to omit the fact they once worked as a parking ticket inspector.

Matty J, topless and with nipples on display during an episode of The Bachelor. (Pic: The Bachelor)

“How dare you not tell me about your job you once had as a parking ticket inspector. This is the sort of information I need to know when getting to know someone I could potentially end up dating in the future. Frankly, I am really offended by your dishonesty.”

Having worked in the adult entertainment industry is something that only needs to be disclosed if the person owning that information chooses to disclose it. And it certainly doesn’t warrant an entire episode where women are forced, one of them to the point of tears, to explain themselves and their reasons for doing said work.

These women own their past and do not owe it to anybody to explain themselves. No one else on that show has been pushed to disclose information about their pasts, why choose the two who have worked sans clothes?

The Bachelor's Blake Garvey worked as a topless waiter. (Pic: Facebook)

The Bachelor’s Tim Robards was also paid to work without a top... or in some cases, pants on. (Pic: Renee Nowytarger)

There are people who are still shocked women work in these careers. There are also people who still choose to not acknowledge there are men who pay for these services.

It’s an industry and one that’s been around for a very long time and one that’s not going anywhere.

It’s also rich considering past stars of The Bachelor, Tim Robards and Blake Garvey, BOTH worked in various forms of paid topless entertainment. Whole segments were not dedicated to them telling the women competing for their hearts about these “shocking revelations”.

It’s also worth pointing out that the current Bachelor himself and others preceding him spend the majority of each episode with their tops off, nipples fully exposed.

It’s a disgraceful display of double standards and slut shaming that we really need to move on from.