PG-16
I ran across this image online the other day and I am mesmerized by it. This model is compared to Barbie's figure. Wow.
When I was little I don't remember thinking that I wanted my body to look like Barbie's but instead I wanted her hair. Go Figure.
Spencer just returned from being a chaperone at a Youth Retreat this past weekend. I always say that I'd never want to relive High School, but hearing his stories makes me realize that I'd relive my own High School experience 10 times before I'd become a High School kid in today's world. Body image is a big deal for girls today. I guess it was an issue when I was a teen, but I don't remember girls being consumed by it. I do remember, however, the first time I looked at my body with a critical eye. I was 16 and it was my birthday. I probably had thoughts before that, but I remember specifically looking at my outfit on my 16th birthday and being concerned that my thighs looked too big in the shorts I was wearing.
20 years later I have accepted that my legs will never be long and lean, my cleavage will never cleave and pants will almost always gap in the back. But I've also learned to love all of my good parts. (Big brown eyes and small shoulders).
As I read through the different articles connected to this picture I ran across the following statement:
What makes women so interesting to look at—and touch—is the contrast between their smaller, smooth areas and the plump, soft ones.
I think that's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard.
2 comments:
I guess kids today are still concerned about body image. However, I think that most are resolved to the fact that they will never have a barbie figure. Personally, I am a little concerned about young girls and boys who face a lifetime of obesity. More and more kids seem to be accepting of the fact that they are overweight.
On the positive side I see many young people who are looking beyond the body parts and are getting to know the person inside.
I sat behind a group of young college kids Friday who returned to Smyrna to watch the football game. One girl was Hispanic and weighed at least 200 lbs. She was hands down the most popular girl there. A number of rather handsome guys went out of their way to greet her and give her a hug. Her great personality overshadowed whatever other flaws she might have had.
I tell the kids at church that beauty is 90% personality and 10% body image. Spend 90% of your time working on personality and 10% working on hair and makeup and you will be a beautiful person.
Right on, Jenny. And I bet Spencer would say that *all* of your parts are good parts. (I can't say that, of course, because I think of you like a sister.)
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