Body Image: The Never-Ending Struggle

The issue of body image is one that haunts most women most of their lives. Sometimes burning big & bright especially in our youth, sometimes smoldering just below the ashes (OF our youth) as we age. I suspect that is true for men too, but my direct experience leads me to believe it’s more of a woman “thing.” An email earlier today from a friend expressed the following “facts.” Don’t know if they are true or not, but worth considering all the same:

Facts on Figures

• There are 3 billion women who don’t look like supermodels and only eight who do.
• Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14. (See note below)
• If Barbie was a real woman, she’d have to walk on all fours due to her proportions. (See OTHER note below!)
• The average woman weighs 144 lb. and wears between a 12-14.
• One out of every four college-aged women has an eating disorder.
• The models in the magazines are airbrushed — not perfect!
• A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful.
• Models twenty years ago weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today they weigh 23% less.

Pamela’s Side Note:

* On Marilyn Monroe ~ The following is taken from an article on Snopes, the verification site for internet rumors and emails. Based on available sources, Marilyn Monroe measured out:

• Height: 5 feet, 5 ½ inches
• Weight: 118 – 140 pounds
• Bust: 35 – 37 inches
• Waist: 22-23 inches
• Hips: 35 – 36
• Bra size: 36D

Okay, so that seems to be more of a testament to the fact that sizing today is significantly more “generous” than any flaw in Marilyn, but anyway …

Pamela’s OTHER Side Note (on Barbie)

Terry Edwards writes in Barbie Doll – The Perfect Figure: “If you take the measurements of Barbie, she would be over 7 feet tall, weigh around 125 pounds, and have a shape of 32-20-42. Of course, no woman could maintain a figure like that, but this is where the controversy stems.

In addition, Barbie has a very long neck. In fact, her neck is nearly twice the size of the average woman. Her feet are also another source of criticism with many saying that Barbie’s feet are only half the size of a normal womans due to foot binding. That is the practice of preventing your feet from growing by constricting them.”

Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

–Sam Levenson

These words have been widely attributed the great beauty Audrey Hepburn who — though loved its message and often shared it — did not write it

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(By the way, have I mentioned that I have an awesome mother?)

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot![IMAGE]
12 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE ~ Naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE ~ Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE ~ That old woman? She’s way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE ~ Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE ~ Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wish I could talk it over with Mom

Author Unknown

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