Paying attention: perceptions of beauty
Melody | Friday, 21 March, 2008 at 10:07 AM 
This week at a presentation about diversity, I got more than I expected. Sure, I knew we were going to talk about the differences between people, whether their mobility is assisted by a wheelchair where mine is not, or their background and skin color is perhaps different from my own. What I wasn't expecting is that we would also be given food for thought concerning the way we're looking at our bodies and our ideas about beauty.
Before the talk, I'd been vaguely aware of Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty, but I'd never paid that much attention. I recall having thought "Good for them; they're using real women in their ads." But it clearly didn't stick with me. Not until now. We saw a video I want to share with you, too.
See other videos in the series by clicking here.
What I was reminded of is that I know the media onslaught has worked on me. It dosen't matter how many things I believe about myself that are positive and meaningful. It doesn't matter how many compliments I receive from others - whether people who love me, or strangers - and it doesn't matter how many "good hair" days I might have. Many times I still want to look more like the women in the catalogs and on my TV screen.
But we were also shown one of these photos of an anorexic woman used in an Oliviero Toscani ad campaign during Milan's fashion week last fall. Which, in all its shocking tragedy, might be helpful to keep in mind when idealizing the models paid to entice us to buy what they're selling. This campaign is part of a broader look at the international fashion industry's use of models with a BMI less than 18.
If I want a different body than the one I have now, shouldn't it be a body I've nurtured through exercise and oxygen and the enjoyment of healthful foods? These are the thoughts I'm thinking this morning.
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Reader Comments (5)
To bad we can't all do the little of that magic!
Hope you have a wonderful Easter
;) I know...sometimes it would be nice, wouldn't it?
Thank you! I hope your Easter is also wonderful. Good to hear from you Nancy.
I love the Dove ads. There should be more like them. I've had the ugly experience of an eating disorder and they can crop up for a variety of reasons. The photos of the model make me sad and sick at the same time.
Glad I stopped to read today! It's odd that we should post similar subjects on the same day. I didn't read here first I swear!!! :)
It's ironic that a woman can experience success in so many areas of her life, work, home, love, motherhood yet feel her self worth as poor because of her body image. I know that I don't feel the same way about myself now that I'm heavy as I did when I was "slim". Its even sadder that at the time I was slim I was still dieting trying for a more improved version of myself. I can remember my mother saying "it's not that you're fat but if you would lose 10 pounds you would look really good". Now I know it wasn't her intention to make me feel bad but that she was locked in that same judgemental world that woman have to look a certain way. Now I would love to have the body that was only 10 pounds too heavy. I have destroyed my metabolism with diets that were the quick fixes. I have double my weight since the days when I looked "good". I miss that young womans energy, self confidence (even though at the time I wasn't aware I had any) and most of all her body. My husband has never once said anything to hurt my feelings. How cool is he? But I know he would like me to be healthier and that's what I want for myself. So the plan is to get healthier. To have more energy. To have fewer aches and pains. To live to meet grandchildren. Cross your fingers that I can pull it off.
Cheryl, I'm glad you stopped by too! And I'm not surprised we both wrote of similar topics; it's a more common theme in our society than it should be. Good people are thinking about it.
Tamara, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Your husband: VERY cool. Best of luck to you in your quest for better health. Crossing my fingers for us both... :) (And you too, Cheryl! For us all!)