I wont argue with the notion that everyone has a different definition of beauty - it can be supported by a very basic understanding of human nature; what one finds appealing/pleasing to the eye doesn't necessarily have to effect another in a similar fashion.
I do however, have a problem with the standard set for "beauty" in today's society. Yes, I am referring to the way beauty is percieved and presented by the media. Let's have a look around us. An advertising pop-up of a fitness regime, a billboard for GUESS! clothing line, or better yet a Fashion Television update for the Fall 06 runway show for Gucci or (insert a famous designer name). Is it just me or a majority of these models extremely thin? These girls are so thin, you could count their ribs without having to use any marvels of modern science.
These very models, and others of who share similar physical traits and an uncanny resemblence are featured in magazines which are targetted for purchase by the general public. I'm certain every female at some point has flipped through a fashion magazine. Would you agree with me when I say, readers are bombarded with images of these bikini-clad stick figure-isque models page after page? Advertisment today has taken an extremely aggressive approach.
Clothing stores, well the reputable ones anyway, have eleminited sizes which are above a certain measurement. Reputable designers design their outfits to fit these models who look like they survive on a rich dose of oxygen sprinkled with fumes of carbohydrates and images of steaks and french fries. Seriously, how healthy are you when your skin is merely a layer over your bone structure? And when these are the kind of images, women are bombarded with in the magazines they read in their spare time, on TV, and billboards everywhere else, it's only natural that the "weight loss" industry is a booming 4 billion dollar business annually. Staggering, isn't it ?
What's sad is not that older, more reasonably aged women and females are being targetted by the media. It's females of all ages who're caught up in this whirlpool of modern "beauty". I personally know girls as young as 13 who resort to crash diets and strict carbs only diets to keep their weights in check (under a certain limit), or they feel "fat" because I guess the more ribs you can count these days looking in the mirror the better you look?
Why are women so unhappy? At this point in time, women are making more money than they ever did! They should be happier than they've ever been, but they're not. How many women do you personally know, or you (female reader), who yourself complain about their weight, appearance, lack of designer apparel?
Women love to boast about how liberal they are in this age in time, and how much more successful they are today than women had ever dreamed of in the past. But, I look around and I see women, as unhappy if not unhappier than their ancestors were. I see women today, and I still see oppression. I see oppression greater than ever before. The stakes are higher, the playground is bigger...but they're still oppressed, self concious, lacking confidence. I wish, there were more women who were comfortable in their own skin...and were happy with what they are naturally.
