On Priorities

[percival]

As moeyknight said: don't feed the beast. You know who I mean.

If we feel that children need to be protected from the influence of the media, then how about junk food commercials? Commercials that entice kids to pester their parents to buy them food that is full of additives and devoid of any real nutrition?

Juxtapose these junk food commercials to the pictures of extremely slender women, some of whom may be anorectic, some of whom may be naturally skinny, that are held up as icons of beauty all over the media, and you have a vicious circle of unhealthy eating and unhealthy fasting.

Now THAT is something that we need to speak out against, because it is a real danger to the health of a whole generation.

I would love to be immune to the pictures of skinny women, but I ain't. Oh yes, I am that easily influenced. I am one of those women who hates herself for every extra pound, and who keeps thinking she could do with losing some of that excess fat off her belly. And I'm sure there are loads of people like me around - people who are not fat, but who are bogged down in images of unhealthiness, in the glorification of the non-childbearing body.

Comments

[ladyvorkosigan.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything constructive to add, but I wanted to say I agree completely. The doublespeak in that kind of advertising is just infuriating.

[queenriley.livejournal.com]

Much as I understand your views on the media and skinny women, I gotta say... you lose any more weight and you'll blow away.

I've met you. You stayed at my house. What did I keep trying to do? I kept trying to feed you. I, personally, think you are a bit too skinny. I still say you need to eat.

[perceval.livejournal.com]

:: misses Christine muchly ::

[queenriley.livejournal.com]

:: misses Maria muchly too ::

[chrysantza.livejournal.com]

I remember two years ago in my Cultural Anthropology class reading an article by Jean Kilbourne (?) which detailed her research on all the unhealthy effects advertising has on women and men in our society. I agree with your post. This stuff is pernicious, and unhealthy, and even those of us who consider ourselves spiritual and balanced and "immune" - well, we still get affected.

Excellent post! I agree with you.

[janeylou.livejournal.com]

Too much skinny-eye-candy of either sex in advertising? Yup. I totally agree but its not going to go away no matter how loud we protest and how many of us do it. After all - it sells! I don't think there are many companies around that would bow to the pressue of logical thinking when it means a drop in their sales.

I wrote to a company a few years ago protesting about an advert. The reply I recieved went something along the lines of: "Our advert reaches millions. You are one of two to complain. Live with it, you are in the minority." I don't bother now.

Instead I am teaching my children that self worth and beauty comes from the inside and its confidence, respect and good that reap the rewards.

And am I fat? Oh no! I'm the right weight for my happiness .. I'm just undertall !!