So I read this article about a week ago. And I can't help but tell everyone I see about it because I just can't stop thinking about it. It was about how in Brazil, more and more of the models are transgender and how they're open to it and trying to kill the stigma and such. Now, I don't live in Brazil, and I don't personally know what it's like to be a transgender person, or anything like that. That's not what I couldn't stop thinking about.
What really struck me is a statement the article made. That men don't suffer from cellulite and stretch marks as often as women and are naturally more lean and have longer limbs. Slimmer waists. Which is a true statement. The article then said, that once these transgender models have their male body hair removed, they look more female than any naturally born woman.
It's no secret that the media and fashion industry are always accused of giving girls unrealistic ideas of what a woman looks like. That it's a bad influence and ruins self esteem. That girls are starting to wear make up younger and younger, ask for breast implants for Christmas, and other things. Eating disorders, fascination with celebrities losing baby weight, I could go on and on. You get the idea.
But now? Now being stick thin with abnormal body proportions isn't enough for the media? Now men's bodies are the new perfect? Because they don't suffer from cellulite and stretch marks? Have lower fat ratios in their bodies and longer limbs? Now, girls aren't right because they're girls.
What really struck me is a statement the article made. That men don't suffer from cellulite and stretch marks as often as women and are naturally more lean and have longer limbs. Slimmer waists. Which is a true statement. The article then said, that once these transgender models have their male body hair removed, they look more female than any naturally born woman.
It's no secret that the media and fashion industry are always accused of giving girls unrealistic ideas of what a woman looks like. That it's a bad influence and ruins self esteem. That girls are starting to wear make up younger and younger, ask for breast implants for Christmas, and other things. Eating disorders, fascination with celebrities losing baby weight, I could go on and on. You get the idea.
But now? Now being stick thin with abnormal body proportions isn't enough for the media? Now men's bodies are the new perfect? Because they don't suffer from cellulite and stretch marks? Have lower fat ratios in their bodies and longer limbs? Now, girls aren't right because they're girls.
This is the particular transgender model the article was about.
When I was at EFY a few summers ago, we had a talk all about the media and these expectations of women. The presenter told us how this was all Satan. One of Satan's best tactics with women is to attack their self esteem and body image. Specifically the body image because it's these wonderful bodies that make us woman and make us able to do amazing things like have children. Things like eating disorders ruin the body and sometimes make it impossible to have children down the road. Thinking low of ourselves can lead to us forgetting who we really are, children of God. How incredibly special we are to him. Each and every one of us.
I'm doing a really bad job retelling what was said that day two summers ago, but it was a powerful message. Every time I've ever been unhappy with my body or look at those models, I remember that talk immediately. That it's Satan. I remember there's a reason for all the differences between men and women. There's a reason women have wider hips, more body fat, stretch marks and the lot. Those aren't bad things. They aren't bad at all. That's how it's supposed to be.
A coworker I was talking to this about was like, well that's in Brazil, nobody cares about Brazilian models. I then reminded her that that's where Victoria's Secret gets a ton of their models from.
It's just really bothering me that we're "supposed" to look like men now. Ha. Yeah. That's not going to happen. I love my big butt.
What do you think? Am I overreacting?
I totally agree. Satan can be so subtle and then all the sudden it is so in your face. It is sad to me too, Kylee.
ReplyDeleteEwww. Now women are supposed to look like men with hairless bodies and long hair? NO. I disagree wholeheartedly. Craziness. Everyone is supposed to look different! There's really no ideal beauty....but if there were, in my opinion it would not be a transgender model.
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