Women's self-respect is being undermined
by the images and information in the media, but we have the power to change
that.
Though we are led to beleive otherwise, there is no relationship between our
society's perception of beauty and goodness, between thinness and sexuality,
between flawlessness and femininity. For most women, to fit into the media's
definition of beauty would require starvation and surgical altering of the body.
In fact, no one can acheive this ideal. Most of the images we see in magazines
are airbrushed, even after being carefully lighted, with the models' bodies
previously manipulated. Not even the models look as good as their pictures.
Here are some statistics:
- 10-15% of people in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders
- In 1998, 22,000 American teenagers had cosmetic surgery- a 95% increase
from 1992
- A normal person's body mass index is between 20 and 25- anything below 18.5
is considered undernourishment. The average supermodel has a BMI of roughly
17.2
- 70% of teenage girls participating in a study beleived fashion magazines
are a valid source of beauty and fitness information
See for yourself.
- In the April 2001 issue of Cosmopolitan, an article entitled "Get
a Lust-Worthy Bust" describes different creams and cosmetics to apply
to your breasts to give yourself a "flawless set."
- In the April 2001 issue ofHarper's Bazaar, an article entitled "Beauty A-Z"
says "I is for injection." It goes on to say, "I could also
be for 'instant gratification,' because that's what Restylane, the newest
filler used to plump wrinkles, promises."
- In the April 2001 issue of Glamour, an article titled "Curves...Yay!"("It's
a great time to be curvy! Stop worrying about being a size six. Be healthy
and enjoy life!") gives decades old examples of curvy actresses, none
of whom had a waistline over twenty-seven inches.
All Women, regardless of age or size, should be able to celebrate their
beauty and femininity.
We won't see a change until we do something
about it.
We are commited to taking action, but we
can't do it alone.
