“I cannot conceive of a greater loss than the loss of one’s self-respect.” -Mahatma Gandhi

“Athletic. Outgoing. Looking for a good time.” She writes, perfectly across the “about me” section of an online sugar daddy website. She guides the mouse to a poised and puckered photo of herself in tight workout gear, smiling innocently into the lens as if her charm could grab you through the screen. She had perfected the art, of getting what she wanted. The photo was just the beginning of the complex and self-proclaimed Internet personality she’d worked so hard to create.

I was twenty, the first time I heard a woman vocalize that she, in fact, did not plan to be independent. We grow up in this world where women have had to die for their common rights.  A place where under a quarter century ago, we couldn’t even vote for president.  Being mentored by several headstrong women and respectful men, I never imagined that not being self-reliant would ever be a reality. Staring at this girl who truly believed a man would be her only worth, deeply bewildered me.

It’s 6:03 am and she stares into the illuminated screen of her laptop. Charlie texted her three minutes ago, his flight had landed. She consciously gathers the remnants of the Victoria’s Secret packaging strewn across her wooden dorm floor, a gift note fluttering to the ground reading: “Can’t wait to see you in these” –Steven.

She takes a moment, staring at her dewy complexion, adjusting her belly-bearing top and yoga pants. Her nails are perfectly polished, her hair falling messily at her shoulders. She’s got it down to a science, and she know it. Before she runs out the door, she double clicks her mouse one last time and grabs her keys, solidifying a meeting next week with her fifth beau, Matt.