Kilbourne’s presentation dead on
Normally, when I hear someone blaming the advertising
and fashion industry for the rise in eating disorders, I have difficulty refraining from rolling my
eyes.
I believe people are responsible for their own sense of self worth. They should learn to like themselves for who they are. “Can’t women just learn to like their curves?” I think. After all, most of the women I consider attractive definitely don’t fall into the 5 foot 9, 110 pounds category. Don’t most people feel that way?
Also, until recently, I was quite skinny. I resented hearing my body type described as “unhealthy”. I resented the implication that I was to blame for other people’s self image problems just because I happened to fit into a size 4 in some brands.
However, after hearing Jean Kilbourne’s presentation on the link between advertising and addiction, I realized those people have a point. When women see Katie Couric photo-shopped down three sizes, Julia Roberts using a slimmer body double on the “Pretty Woman” poster and the majority of models looking as if a pair of size 2 jeans wouldn’t stay on without a belt, what are they supposed to think? It sets a standard that no one can measure up to.
I recently read an article in Jane Magazine about an investigative journalist who got an audition with a top modeling agency in order to write an exposé on the industry. She was told that even if she were taller, she’d still need to lose weight. The article didn’t say the author’s weight, but it did say her waist measured 26 inches. Not exactly chubby.
I’ve never thought I was fat. In fact, I spent most of my college years wishing I could gain a few pounds. But after reading about a woman smaller than me being told she was too fat, I suddenly felt grotesquely plump. I can only begin to imagine how that would feel to a woman with body image issues.
There are a few groups out there lobbying the advertising industry to use more normal looking women in their ads. While I think this is a wonderful idea, it’s not enough. Realistically speaking, it is going to take several years for this to have any effect. In those several years, women and girls will still judge themselves according to things they can’t control.
Until then, women and girls need to focus on believing they are beautiful despite what society says. A few things to keep in mind: There is thousands of years’ worth of artwork depicting beautiful women who have real bodies. Most ancient goddesses depicted in statues would never have received a modeling contract in today’s society. Neither would the women in Renaissance paintings. Neither would Marilyn Monroe, for that matter. Yet in their time, those women were considered the epitome of beauty. Who’s to say people don’t find them beautiful today, too?
Anyone who believes they are beautiful is beautiful. One of the women I admire is Floor Jansen, lead singer of the Dutch metal band After Forever. She definitely isn’t the 5 foot 9, 110 pounds type of woman. She is a real woman with a real, healthy-looking body.
And I think she is gorgeous. If I wanted to look like someone else, it would be her. But the reason I think she’s so beautiful has very little to do with her physical features. She is beautiful because it’s obvious she’s comfortable in her own skin. She exudes confidence and people are drawn to her. That, and she has one hell of a voice.
In the end, people can only blame others so much for how they feel. Ultimately, how you feel about yourself is your decision.
Columnists' opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of The Spectrum