Body Image

[lauras]

Hi girls,
It's me again. Any of you that have read my posts, or my journal, hae probably picked up that I doj't see things the way most people do.
I have a rant. I was reading another fitness mag. Letters to the editor section. The focus of the issue was building our butts. One poor lady wrote in asking how to get rid of the little bit of fat on hers.
It seemed that her husband was reading a playboy mag, and began making fun of her because her butt wasn't as tight as the model's. Apparently, he had forgotten that the model's picture had been touched up to remove any imperfections, in order to fit w/ a fantasy.

the editor, while trying to help informed her she had fat on her butt, and what to do to remove it.
While I understand that his job was not to dictate any morality, I couldn't help but feel upset by the attitude of the husband, and the editor, who is a man.
I'm sure most of us as women would have rallied to her aid to remind her, and him, about the truth behind images, and the fact that he should love her for who she is, not for how tight her butt.
What do you think?

[K-gecko]

I agree with you; I think the husband is way out of line in his comments regarding her butt, but as for the editor, I'm betting he didn't see how his comments might be taken--then again maybe he did...The thing is, many people, both men and women, can often write or say things that they feel are helpful yet truly be hurtful. The trick is to define the perspective as the addressee and use what info is there to help the person to improve in their own eyes, and let the hurtful comments fall to the dirt where they belong...Either way, I hope the writer gets the help/information she wants...

[missmar]

Okay another thing wrong with that is why does her husband feel the need to look at a playboy mag? That messes with a girls head horribly especially a married one. Any person who looks at pornography I don't care how glamorized it is is deriving some sort of sexual gratification from it. This is wrong. If a married person has an urge to fulfill you better look to your spouse, thats why you married in the first place to have and to hold to love and honor.
That poor woman and millions others like her deal with this everyday, being taught to look a certain way to be loved to be worth something.
And if you read this and think me wrong well think of this....
Have you ever bought any magazine looked through the pages and felt sad you didnt look a certain way?
Have you ever gone an a diet because you thought it would make you more attractive not healthier but just more attractive?
Or have you had plastic surgery strictly for cosmetic purposes?
Do you wear makeup, envy other women or feel depressed when you look in a mirror?
The problem with morality in media and our social structure is that we put it aside way too much and when you put it aside too much eventually you are numb to it and what is being thrust at you eventually you will turn against what is moral.
And the ladies husband who makes fun of her butt while comparing it to porno is a perfect example of misplaced morals.

[FreeSoul87]

Okay another thing wrong with that is why does her husband feel the need to look at a playboy mag? That messes with a girls head horribly especially a married one. Any person who looks at pornography I don't care how glamorized it is is deriving some sort of sexual gratification from it. This is wrong. If a married person has an urge to fulfill you better look to your spouse, thats why you married in the first place to have and to hold to love and honor.
That poor woman and millions others like her deal with this everyday, being taught to look a certain way to be loved to be worth something.
And if you read this and think me wrong well think of this....
Have you ever bought any magazine looked through the pages and felt sad you didnt look a certain way?
Have you ever gone an a diet because you thought it would make you more attractive not healthier but just more attractive?
Or have you had plastic surgery strictly for cosmetic purposes?
Do you wear makeup, envy other women or feel depressed when you look in a mirror?
The problem with morality in media and our social structure is that we put it aside way too much and when you put it aside too much eventually you are numb to it and what is being thrust at you eventually you will turn against what is moral.
And the ladies husband who makes fun of her butt while comparing it to porno is a perfect example of misplaced morals.

I completely agree with you, wholeheartedy and have always believed that. Now adays, though, I can look at magazines and know the difference between real women and those fake size zeros that have never had to work hard for their bodies. I know I'm curvy and I have a booty lots of certain women and men would kill for, but that doesn't stop me from trying to improve around it and keeping it up and in tip top shape which is difficult for a woman who works all day in an office. But yes, I completely agree with you, that husband should be slapped and thrown on Tyra Banks show.

[lauras]

This is an old post, but I'm glad to see you all agree with me, and basic decency isn't too old.
While I know most men love their wives, and know these models photos are very touched up, it sill makes me sad for the women whose husbands, or boyfriends think that this fantasy look is real, and think their women aren't good enough.

[lauras]

I also can't help but wonder, how buff these fellas are, and what they would do if their women made fun of them.