by peaceloveharmony 14 Replies latest jw friends
I’ve had some swelling around my tummy
Funny, I've had some swelling lately too...
Seriously, 36-24-36 is an awesome body! I love my women a little on the "meaty" side. You will find that most men like a little meat on their womens bones. You'd be surprised.
Slipnslidemaster: "Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
We can thank the Madison Ave advertising wizards for promoting such facist beauty standards.
Tina,
That is a quite common accusation, but I think it over-simplifies a complex social process. What interest should advertisers have in making women thinner? After all, it would have been much more money in makeing obesity the ideal, considering how much money they make for clients like McDonalds or Coca-Cola. Of course, those who market diet products have every interest in making people want to use them, but they are just one sector of the producers.
On the contrary, I think these are social processes influenced by many factors. Obviously, the body is more visible now than in previous times. That is no doubt a factor. Once such a trend starts, it is reinforced, mostly by girls taking over the insecurities of their mothers. This is a vicious circle.
Less popular to say, but equally true, is that obesity is on a dramatic increase, both among men and women. This is a genuine health concern, far worse than eating disorders like anorexia. The attention given to this problem will make girls especially feel insecure, even those who really have nothing to worry about.
I don't think blaming the advertising industry, the movie industry, Canada or anything else moves us closer to a solution. Sure, they are part of the equation, but these are complex social processes, not conspiracies against women from a small sector.
And, while I noted that guys stumbled over themselves in an old thread, saying how much they liked fat girls, well, individual taste varies, but it's easy to see in a group of people which girls are the most popular among the men. And that is certainly one reason women feel compelled to be slimmer than what health concerns alone should dictate.
- Jan
--
Faith, n. Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel. [Ambrose Bierce, The Devil´s Dictionary, 1911]
Hi JanH, thanks for your comments. i understand what you are saying, how we can't just blame the media, the movies or canada , the issue is certainly more complex than that and you are also correct that lots of times, girls/women take on the insecurities of their mothers. that is why articles like the one above are important. hopefully, women will realize where these insecurties stem from (be it movies, print ads, your mother, childhood teasing...) and try to instill in their daughters, friends, mothers that this vicious cycle needs to STOP.
this section from the article is worth repeating:
How do you know if your daughter has a distorted body image?If she feels she is too fat, that’s normal. Studies show 80 percent of fourth graders think they are too fat. What is important is you have to ask yourself what’s going on with you before you ask what’s going on with your daughter? Is your body healthy? Do you exercise regularly? If the mother does those things, the daughter follows. If the mother is continually counting calories the kids do as we do, not what we say. Kids may be obsessed about looks in middle school. Your job is to model eating healthfully and not be too controlling about food. Have healthy stuff at home. If you give your child a hard time about what they’re eating and have donuts in the morning, that’s what your kid is getting as a model. Don’t try to control what they put in their mouths.
jan, speaking of blaming...
And, while I noted that guys stumbled over themselves in an old thread, saying how much they liked fat girls, well, individual taste varies, but it's easy to see in a group of people which girls are the most popular among the men.
tina, slip and music mouth, thank you for your comments!!
my main reason for posting this is to get us (women) to think about this important issue and maybe to get us to see how we pass these insecurities on. the most important thing is being healthy and happy. so eat your veggies! lolol
love
harmony
"Power doesn't mean you're acting like a man, or you're a bully or a bitch. It's that you don't let people step on you"
-Sharon Monplaisir
so what, we should blame you?
Mony,
No problem. We just blame our hormones! Pass the buck...
- Jan
--
Faith, n. Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel. [Ambrose Bierce, The Devil´s Dictionary, 1911]
Hi Jan,
You're right there. It is much more complex than what I wrote. I merely wanted to bring up one factor.
There are many interests that have to do with this anorectic ideal of women. Other than the diet supplement and products industry,health clubs,food manufacturers,(think sugar free,fat free sodium free etc etc) . If you could see the vast array of products that tie in with the 'thin industry'in food markets alone you'd be amazed! Then there is the beauty industry,cellulite reducing cremes,toners to slim one daown ad nauseum. Many many facets of commercialism make mega bucks from this.Fashion and teen magazines come to mind too. So the publishing industry makes money as well.Let alone all the diet books.
I mentioned that obesity is an alarming health concern. I in no way promote overweight as a healthy alternative.
Again here,there are many factors that contribute to obesity.The main one is a sedentary lifestyle.
All the industries I mentioned above and more have created a mega industry in consumer goods in which the Madison Ideal leads the way. They all tie in together.
Im not real quick to jump on the 'blame the mother' bandwagon.
It is true that mothers who instill esteem worth and acceptance do a better job in preventing future weight problems.
Yes men have their own preferences on what is attractive to them. Again I dont promote the idea that obesity is beautiful. I'm talking of the women who aren't yet arent the madison Ave ideal of beauty.
Thanks for the input. Hugs,T
