Body Image Blues
alison gordon | January 15, 2010
As human beings, from both genders and most age groups, we inherently have difficulty complimenting ourselves. We readily, however, jump at the chance to put ourselves down.
We often don’t know how to graciously accept praise or flattery without feeling self-indulgent or embarrassed. Ask anyone to point out something they love about themselves and they may take some time to carefully choose, not to appear vain, but the one thing they wish they could change just rolls off their tongue.
The photo of former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins on the cover of a top selling womens’ magazine sparked far more controversy than I initially expected. At first I thought, what’s the big deal? It’s a well intentioned gesture that is simply trying to show that even models have imperfections (even if they are ever so slight).
Having reflected on wider criticism a bit more, I can see what place others might be coming from.
Body image has long been a feature in glossy magazines. I can remember as a teenager reading endless stories about loving who you are, focusing on your strengths and not investing so much in our appearance. It’s one of those 'feel good' topics that ironically makes a lot of us feel even worse somehow.
The focus has evolved from eating disorders and how to spot if your friend has one, to radical exercise plans that will help you achieve your “best bikini body ever” (it’s the same story every summer by the way). It seems to be at odds with the “love yourself and your flaws” philosophy – and poor body image seems to be more pervasive. Why is this?
Despite more demand for plus-size models, new clothing lines tailored for the “fuller figure” and celebrities wanting us to love our curves, it’s probably a healthy exercise in itself to just admit we still have a weakness for falling in love with the sexy, svelte, toned, tanned and beautiful body. Who can resist it? What we seem to lack is perspective.
Jen Hawkins is a model, people. Like all professional models, who make a career out of it, it is a crucial part of her job to put the hard yards in to look the way she does, or she will inevitably have to find something else to do with her time. She is also a part of an exclusive group of very genetically blessed people.
Looking at it from another angle, perhaps the photo of Jen was a bit of a contradiction. If you want to show her for who she really is when she steps out of bed in the morning, take off her make up. Don’t style her hair. Forget the fake tan. Add that to the crease on her hip and a small community of cellulite bumps on her inner thigh. Would this have made us all feel a little better?
Are we just a little jealous, or do we just need to get real?
The pressure to achieve perfection with our bodies has largely come from living in the 21st century – the multitude of tools, gadgets and information at our disposal is overwhelming. We don’t seem to have any excuses to NOT be perfect. Pedometers, at-home gym equipment, huge selections of beauty products, cosmetic procedures, countless diet regimes, “fashionable” foods, endless and confusing facts and myths about good nutrition… and the list continues.
We could also blame longer working hours and hectic lifestyles, but really, the pressure to look the best often comes from ourselves. We want everything, sometimes without even wanting to work for it. We want to be everything, to everyone, and be the best at it. Sometimes we can’t just shrug and admit that we can’t be Wonder Woman, or Wonder Man for that matter, and perhaps we’ll never look like them either – but that’s perfectly okay.
So while there may be more appropriate spokespersons for positive body image, perhaps we should start with simply taking a healthier attitude.
Alison Gordon is Client Services Manager at Global Access Partners (GAP) and Open Forum's regular blogger on urban affairs, social trends and customs.
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