Today's Perception of Beauty ~ Let's Change It!

Magazine Ad from Ralph Lauren

Hello EmGirls!

Take a good look at this photo from a Ralph Lauren ad. What do you think about the model in this ad? I was shocked and horrified that such a leading fashion designer would think that this ad is appealing to a woman/girl and would make her want to go out and buy this outfit! Is this what our society things is beautiful? This is obviously a photo shop disaster!!! This ad got me to thinking about how the media has such a powerful influence on how we think and feel about ourselves. We all want to look like a supermodel at times but is this really the best goal for ourselves. This picture is a perfect example of how what we consider beauty is slowly being distorted by the media and our society.

Here is an excellent video called “Evolution of a Model” created by Dove which shows how much retouching is done to models in magazines to portray this ‘perfect’ or ‘beautiful image’ that we as women and girls try to live up to.


These images that we see everyday in magazines shape us in many ways. We often strive to look perfect and have negative thoughts about ourselves when we try to live up to these impossible standards. What is beauty to you? Do you feel beautiful even if you feel that you aren't the 'perfect' size or look a certain way?

"Today's unrealistic idea of what is beautiful means that young girls are under more pressure now than they were even five years ago. Airbrushing means that adverts contain completely unattainable images that no one can live up to in real life. We need to help protect children from these pressures and we need to make a start by banning airbrushing in adverts aimed at them. The focus on women's appearance has got out of hand - no one really has perfect skin, perfect hair and a perfect figure, but women and young girls increasingly feel that nothing less than thin and perfect will do."-Jo Swinson

Being aware of the tricks that the media uses can arm us with a better perception of what it means to be beautiful! We place too much emphasis on our imperfections and should focus more on what makes us fabulous and unique! There are beautiful things about each of us and we as a society should celebrate our strengths, talents, and abilities not just our jean sizes or looks.

I challenge you all EmGirls to be proud of the beautiful young women that you are and not to let our society influence how we feel about ourselves and what we think is real beauty!

Here are some great tips found on a wonderful website About-Face.org for women/girls:

1. Stop Talking About Your Weight (especially in front of young girls)
Young girls listen to the way women talk about themselves and each other and learn the language of womanhood. Young women can only learn to love or even accept their bodies if they see women who love and accept their own. Every discussion we have about weight, or fat, or being too this or that, leaves an impression on the people around us. We are encouraging an unattainable quest for perfection.


2. Make a List of Women You Admire
How often is the woman's appearance a reason that you admire her? What do you think are the most important attributes a woman can have? What would you like a young woman to most admire in you? In herself? Does our culture seem to admire the same things in women that you do?


3. Question the Motives of the Fashion Industry
Always remember that the main objective of the fashion, cosmetic, diet, fitness and plastic surgery industries is to make money, not to make you the best person you can possibly be. The ultra thin ideal is working for them. But is it working for you? If every season your parent or partner told you to change who you are or how you dress wouldn't you question their motives?


4. Stop Weighing Yourself
Remember that the emphasis to be thin and beautiful is ever present in our society. Cut yourself some slack. Imagine spending a day, or a week, without the scale measuring your self esteem. Does the scale tell you that you aren't disciplined enough? That you aren't working hard enough? Get rid of it. The emphasis on thin is new and arbitrary. And it can be reversed.


5. Concentrate on Things You Do Well
Do you look in the mirror one day and think you look great and the next day and think you look awful? Your body isn't changing, your perception of it is. It is true that if you're feeling good about other things in your life, you'll be less critical of how you look. Do things you do well. And if you've had a bad day, stay away from the mirror. When a woman is happy and confident, she may not have a "perfect" body, but she doesn't give a damn!


6. Get Physical For Fun
Your body needs EXCERCISE and REAL FOODS. Take walks, dance in your living room, garden, golf...try to get moving for your heart, not to decrease the size of your bottom. You may lose weight and you may not, but your body will be stronger, your stress will be lower and you'll feel better.


7. Value Your Dollars
With more women working today than ever before, our dollars are much in demand. You are being courted! How much of your money goes into the fashion and cosmetics industries? What do you spend on eating regimens? What are you getting back? Look at your budget and be sure the money you spend reflects the person you are, not the person society wants you to be. If look's didn't matter at all, what would you spend your money on?


8. Voice Your Opinion
Both large and small businesses are interested in your input. Your letters and phone calls really make a difference. The following organizations can help you find the addresses of companies. Contact Media Action Alliance in Circle Pines, MN (612) 434-4343 or Media Watch in Santa Cruz, CA (408) 423-6355. Subscribe to Media Watch's terrific quarterly Action Agenda.


9. Be a Role Model
Every culture and every generation has its own rules and expectations for women. It is never easy to go against the grain, but there have always been women who took risks to grow and learn and succeed. And, there always will be. Many inspirational women have broken molds, set new standards, and blazed trails. Wouldn't you like to break a mold or two?


10. Break the Barriers
Author Sara Tisdale wrote, "We must all choose between battles: One battle is against the cultural ideal, and the other is against ourselves." Must we always define ourselves by what popular culture dictates? Develop your own style. Have fun-- Wear lipstick. Or don't. You're the boss of you. By speaking out and accepting yourself (dimples and all), you help break the barriers.