It has been an interesting journey as I search for different writings relating to the subject at hand. Some things are very disturbing and I’m still mulling them over in my thoughts. But one that I’ve found interesting is the well documented report written a few years ago by the YWCA, “Beauty at Any Cost.” I recommend it to anyone, particularly, mothers of young teen girls.
Their initial statement will get anyone’s attention . “Every woman in the United States participates in a daily beauty pageant, whether she likes it or not.” The thought that quickly follows may be, “Yeah, sure. That’ll be the day that I’d ever be in a beauty pageant.” But as you read on you begin to realize the truth in the report’s first unbelievable statement.
“Engulfed by a popular culture saturated with images of idealized, air-brushed and unattainable female physical beauty, women and girls cannot escape feeling judged on the basis of their appearance….
“The issue is not new, but the extent to which it is invading the lives of younger girls and women of color, and the lengths to which women will go to achieve an unattainable look, is an increasing problem. The pressure to achieve unrealistic physical beauty is an undercurrent in the lives of virtually all women in the United States, and its steady drumbeat is wreaking havoc on women in ways that far exceed the bounds of their physical selves.”
Even more sad is the fact that this all also applies to Christian women and girls. A recent research study (one that I’m still mulling over) reveals this disturbing truth. All we have to do is look around us in every arena of life to know that it is true though.
At first the idea of our ever being in a beauty pageant may sound exciting. But as the Y’s report states, there are consequences of our beauty obsession. And in many cases they can be deadly consequences. It’s time we evaluate the direction we are going and what may be the end result - not only in our own life - but also in the lives of our children, or others who may be watching us.
Their initial statement will get anyone’s attention . “Every woman in the United States participates in a daily beauty pageant, whether she likes it or not.” The thought that quickly follows may be, “Yeah, sure. That’ll be the day that I’d ever be in a beauty pageant.” But as you read on you begin to realize the truth in the report’s first unbelievable statement.
“Engulfed by a popular culture saturated with images of idealized, air-brushed and unattainable female physical beauty, women and girls cannot escape feeling judged on the basis of their appearance….
“The issue is not new, but the extent to which it is invading the lives of younger girls and women of color, and the lengths to which women will go to achieve an unattainable look, is an increasing problem. The pressure to achieve unrealistic physical beauty is an undercurrent in the lives of virtually all women in the United States, and its steady drumbeat is wreaking havoc on women in ways that far exceed the bounds of their physical selves.”
Even more sad is the fact that this all also applies to Christian women and girls. A recent research study (one that I’m still mulling over) reveals this disturbing truth. All we have to do is look around us in every arena of life to know that it is true though.
At first the idea of our ever being in a beauty pageant may sound exciting. But as the Y’s report states, there are consequences of our beauty obsession. And in many cases they can be deadly consequences. It’s time we evaluate the direction we are going and what may be the end result - not only in our own life - but also in the lives of our children, or others who may be watching us.
No comments:
Post a Comment