"Exhibitionism: The Outward Celebration of Inner Emptiness."

When I was in college, a renowned psychologist from Germany once visited. His lecture topic was — “Mental Aberrations in Modern Society and Their Social Impact.” His words are etched into my memory even today. He said that many social tendencies currently celebrated as 'progressivism' or 'freedom' are, in fact, the outcomes of deep psychological disturbances. His exact words were, "Not every rebellion against tradition is progress; sometimes, it is a symptom of an inner collapse."

The widespread perception that bodily exhibition is a symbol of modernity and freedom is a pure illusion. I remember reading in one of my psychology textbooks that "Inappropriate Exposure" is categorized under psychological disorders, particularly termed Exhibitionism. It is not merely a fashion statement or a cultural movement; rather, it often stems from deep-seated insecurity, low self-worth, and a pathological need for attention.

Dr. Carl Jung, the eminent psychoanalyst, once said, "The brighter the facade, the darker the core." When we observe modern fashion trends or the so-called 'body positivity' movements, on the surface, they seem like celebrations of freedom, acceptance, and self-respect. But underneath, more often than not, they reflect dissatisfaction with oneself, inner emptiness, and an unhealthy craving for external validation.

It is an established fact in psychology that when an individual feels insecure about their existence, they either excessively highlight their intellectual qualities or, if such development is absent, turn to physical exhibition as a means to be 'seen'. If emotional or intellectual maturity is lacking, the body becomes the primary medium through which attention is sought.

Dr. Erich Fromm, in his book The Sane Society, wrote, "In a sick society, being well adjusted to it is no measure of health." Today, since bodily exposure has been normalized by society, accepting it as normal becomes a part of the societal illness itself. A healthy society is one where inner dignity and self-respect are valued above external display, not one where the body is reduced to an object for exhibition.

During that German psychologist’s lecture, he also pointed out that historically, nudity was considered ideal only when humanity was in its primitive stages of civilization. As intellectual development progressed, covering the body became a symbol of self-respect and social decency. Today, when there is an attempt to return to that primitive state in the name of 'modernity,' calling it progress is not just ironic but dangerously delusional.

Psychologist Thomas Szasz wrote, "Every act of self-degradation is an unconscious appeal for love and attention." Seen through this lens, bodily exhibition is not an expression of 'freedom' but rather a manifestation of neglect and an insatiable thirst for acceptance. A large section of society today is ignoring this hunger and celebrating its superficial expressions as triumphs of modernity.

Another important psychological concept I learned during my studies was Body Objectification — when individuals begin to perceive their own bodies as objects. This psychological distortion worsens when society starts validating this perception. Gradually, the individual loses their true identity, viewing themselves solely as an attractive 'object'. This marks the beginning of psychological deterioration.

Sigmund Freud himself warned, "Civilization begins the moment we renounce nakedness." If we forget this fundamental principle today and believe that open bodily exhibition is a symbol of advancement, we are pushing ourselves backward, against the very essence of civilization.

It is also important to observe that societies that normalize bodily exhibition have higher rates of depression, suicide, marital breakdowns, and dissatisfaction with life. This occurs because when the body becomes the primary tool for gaining attention, a person’s entire existence becomes dependent on external approval, which is fleeting. As external validation fades, an internal void emerges, eventually leading to severe psychological disorders.

Some psychological studies show that individuals who regularly indulge in bodily exhibition tend to have lower self-esteem. Their identity is not grounded within but depends on others' gazes. As soon as external attention shifts, their sense of self collapses.

Dr. Viktor Frankl wrote, "When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure." Bodily exhibition, too, is a distraction — a suppression of the silent rebellion within the soul against meaninglessness.

It must also be said that not every individual who exhibits their body suffers from a psychological disorder. However, when this tendency is glorified, it slowly takes on the shape of a collective societal pathology. This is why civilizations create social codes of conduct — to protect their ideals, to remind individuals of their inherent dignity, and to preserve mental health.

At times, bodily exhibition is not just a result of personal dissatisfaction but is systematically nurtured by consumerist culture. Consumerism has crafted beauty standards in such a way that people begin to present their bodies as products. Advertisements, movies, social media — all construct images where adorning and showcasing the body is equated with success. Consequently, society begins to live within a collective illusion where internal virtues are secondary, and external display reigns supreme.

French philosopher Jean Baudrillard once said, "In a society that thinks images are everything, the soul quietly dies." These words ring terrifyingly true in today’s context.

When we label bodily exhibition as 'self-expression' or 'freedom,' we are turning a blind eye to a profound sickness that is quietly eating away at the roots of our society. True freedom does not mean the destruction of self-respect. Real freedom arises from within — where the body is seen not as a tool for show, but as a vessel for self-mastery; where self-expression means manifesting the soul’s dignity, not reducing oneself to a commercialized spectacle.

Today, it is essential to understand the distinction between modernity and recklessness. Progressiveness is not about exhibiting the body publicly; it is about establishing freedom and dignity at the level of thoughts, character, and emotions.

Bodily exhibition is not a healthy psychological tendency. It is a silent scream of mental distress — a muted cry of the soul's hunger hidden beneath glittering lights. We must listen to this cry. We must recognize that true beauty lies in modesty, in self-esteem, and, above all, in inner dignity.

The day society understands this, true progressivism will dawn — a progressivism that elevates humanity beyond the body to the level of the soul.