Just today, I was talking to some other woman on Twitter - beautiful women, I might add. The conversation started because I changed my avatar picture. My twitter friends were telling me they liked my new picture and I was thanking them for the nice compliments. Then, when I complimented them back, the negative comments started. It always baffles me how gorgeous women sometimes have such poor self-images.
Thinking back to my college classes on women's issues, I started thinking about how society, particularly the advertising and entertainment fields, create such unrealistic ideals of beauty. Real women will never be able to live up to that standard. Why? Because that kind of perfection doesn't exist.
Models starve themselves. Their pictures are photo-shopped and air-brushed to make them look thinner and make their blemishes disappear. Not to mention the make-up that covers all imperfections.
Don't get me wrong, I love to look my best. I rarely leave the house without make-up on and I blow-dry and flat-iron my hair pretty much every day. I try to by form-flattering clothes that accentuates my best features. I like to get my eyebrows waxed, my nails done, and I have been known to get the occasional pedicure. Still I think the sexiest thing a woman can do is to be self- confident!
Flaunt what you've got!
As mothers, we need to be able to be a good role model for our daughters. (I have 2 boys, but I plan to have a girl someday soon... Different story...Infertility...Fingers crossed!) Anyways, when I have a daughter, one of the most important things I am going to teach her is how to love herself and how to be proud of her intelligence and have a positive self-image! In the mean time, I am teaching my boys how to respect women and how to be kind/chivalrous to little girls.
What are your thoughts on body image and how to be a good role model for young girls?
