In the world of women, body image is a big issue. Throughout history, women have been second-class citizens and, for the most part, only prized for their outward appearances. Century after century women have made major impacts on the world in various ways. Even with these great accomplishments judgment comes from the age-old area of physical appearance.
Can this barrier on the value of women ever be broken?
Understandably, looks are basically the only thing we have to go on when first meeting a person. Everyone is attracted to different things.
The media and recent Internet blogs make it seem as if men (and women) prefer the look of a young lady named Megan Fox. You may know her from the hit film “Transformers” and the upcoming film “Jennifer’s Body.”
Megan Fox was given the #1 spot on Moviefone’s “The 25 Hottest Actors Under 25” in 2008. She recently earned the #2 spot on Maxim’s “Hot 100” list and FHM readers voted her “Sexiest Woman in the World” for 2008.
Is she what women should strive to be? The answer is no.
The truth is that physical attractiveness will run its course. When the fantasy is over what will you have left? That is the question we must ask ourselves when looking at women.
Some men have ridiculous fantasies about what a “real woman” should be. They see a woman with so-called perfect measurements, in high heels and an apron leaning over a stove, cooking a hot meal. They need to wake up, that’s not reality. The reality is that heels hurt, sexy clothes are not comfortable and cooking turns you into a ball of smelly sweat.
I’m pretty sure if Megan Fox were the everyday middle class mom with a job, she wouldn’t look as desirable.
The sad thing is that even though women are more successful than they have ever been, they still feel as if they need to fit society’s ideals. In my sociology class I learned that the more successful a woman is the less likely she is to get married. I find this appalling — if I were a man, I wouldn’t want some brainless, big-breasted, bimbo as my wife. I do not mean to bash men, but this is what is shown in today’s society.
Having a negative body image can be detrimental to one’s self esteem and personal development. Psychology Today found that 56 percent of women have a negative body image. A major cause of this is the media warping people’s minds into thinking superficially instead of with the heart. 5 to 7 percent of American women, at some point in their lives, will have an issue with an eating disorder. Those numbers do not sound very large, but one person is one too many.
We should lose weight to be healthy, not to attract attention from men. Let’s be honest, no one is really interested in what Megan Fox has to say.
You don’t want to be looked at as a sex object and nothing else. All women are foxes — hopefully society will come around and notice that.
If you really want to shed some pounds take an early morning run. You could also go to a class at the Carmichael Recreation Center like AbSolutions to get in shape. Releasing those endorphins through exercise will boost your mood and make you more confident. Being a young, educated woman already makes you hot, you just have to realize that for yourself.
