Suffering For Beauty
The concept of suffering for beauty is not a new one. The French say “Il faut souffrir pour etre belle.” One must suffer to be beautiful. Unfortunately, it is almost always women who have to go through extreme suffering, sometimes even disfigurement, to attain beauty ideals.
Corset Tightlacing
Image credit: bobster1985
Corsets were first worn during the 16th century and remained a feature of fashionable dress until the 1789 French Revolution. During the 1840s and 1850s tightlacing was first recorded. It was ordinary fashion taken to an extreme. Prolonged tightlacing has noticeable effects on the body. Internal organs are moved closer together and out of their original positions. The volume of the lungs diminishes and the tightlacer tends to breathe with the upper portion of the lungs only, creating a mucosal build-up that results in a chronic cough. The liver is pressed upwards. As it continually renews itself, it adapts to fit its new position, and in a long-term tightlacer it can develop ridges where it rests against the ribs. The compression of the stomach reduces its volume and causes indigestion, heartburn and constipation.
Foot Binding
Photo credit: johnbullas
Foot binding was a custom practiced on young girls and women for approximately one thousand years in China, beginning in the 10th century and ending in the early 20th century.
In Chinese foot binding, young girls’ feet were wrapped in tight bandages so that they could not grow and develop normally; they would, instead, break and become highly deformed, not growing past 4–6 inches. As the girl reached adulthood, her feet would remain small and prone to infection, paralysis, and muscular atrophy.
The custom is commonly cited by sociologists and anthropologists as an example of how immense human suffering can be inflicted in the pursuit of beauty.
Lip Plates
Photo credit: Monkeyji
A lip plate is a form of body modification. Increasingly larger discs are inserted into a pierced hole in either the upper or lower lip, or both, thereby stretching it. In Africa, a lower lip plate is usually combined with the excision of the lower front teeth.
Neck Rings
Photo credit: babasteve
Women of the Kayan tribe wear brass coils that are placed around the neck. These coils are first applied to young girls when they are around five years old. Each coil is replaced with longer coils as the weight of the brass pushes the collar bone and compresses the rib cage.
Photo credit: Diliff
Plastic Surgery
If the above practices seem to you like they don’t really matter, since they belong in ancient history or in far away cultures, consider this: these 21st century women from Los Angeles, California are going through extreme pain and mutilating their bodies in the name of beauty too:
A botched boob job. Photo credit: Malingering
A visible inflation valve. Photo credit: Malingering
Cosmetic procedures can – and have – killed many women:
Woman almost dies after bikini wax
A Florida teen dies from breast augmentation surgery complications
Botox injections responsible for 16 deaths and many serious complications
It’s easy to scoff at practices such as foot binding or tightlacing and dismiss them as crazy practices of the distant past or of different cultures. But is plastic surgery really any different? Women today are suffering for beauty too, and their suffering is often extreme.
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RC Rambling... responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 3:33 pm →
Really, is any of it different than – not just plastic surgery – but any of the thousands of things we do to ourselves in the name of beauty?
I think of women with allergic reactions to make-up or other hair-removing type products (and yes, I have to be careful as I’m one of these women). How about the scars on my ankles from years of shaving my legs, or the irritation I get when I have my hair colored? Are these things as life-threatening or dangerous as some of the other procedures/modifications you have listed? No, but as you mentioned, it is the price I pay for beauty – or rather the price I pay for what I, and the rest of the world, perceive as beauty.
Maybe there is a reason so many religious beliefs recognize vanity as a weakness. (And I’m just as guilty with the hair, cosmetics, etc…)
Marelisa responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 3:50 pm →
Hi Vered:
I had heard of foot binding before but I had never seen a picture of what it does to the feet. I thought the foot just stopped growing because of the binding, I didn’t realize it was deformed as is shown in the photograph above.
I read somewhere that women with breast implants have a higher rate of suicide than women without. Maybe it has something to do with basing their self-worth on how others see them.
Daphne responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 4:32 pm →
Vered,
I love how you decide to stand for (or against) something and then consistently send messages on the topic. The visuals and concise descriptions are powerful. I’m full of admiration!
asrai responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 4:37 pm →
Very much indeed we are no different.
Not only the suffering, but the money and time women spend on beauty. We put an average of 9 lbs of toxins on our skin a year in the name of beauty. (I think that’s the number I recall, but it may be that we use an average of 9 personal care products).
I was watching TV and there was an ad for a med-spa. “Safe, natural and organic”. Uh, I don’t think getting injected is NATURAL. The accompanying pictures made me shudder.
I tell my partner that I’m going to be gray and get wrinkles as I get older, because I am not dying my hair. But maybe I’ll be in ok shape becuase i don’t wear makeup.
Lori responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 4:38 pm →
What price beauty, eh? I’m glad my family valued intellect, perseverance, quick-thinking, competence, and character over looks. As I was growing up, my worth was never based on appearance.
Barbara Swafford responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 4:41 pm →
Hi Vered – Like Marelisa, I had never seen what foot binding does to a woman’s feet. That’s like a form of torture, but than again, all of the procedures you’ve listed could be deemed the same.
It’s so sad beauty is defined as how someone looks on the outside, when in truth, women (and men, too) who may not be deemed as gorgeous can be extremely beautiful on the inside. To me, that’s where it counts.
Michelle @ Find Your Balance responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 4:42 pm →
If anything, plastic surgery is worse. The other methods are gradually applied through external means over time – terrible, yes – but nothing compared to invasive surgery under general anesthesia!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 5:08 pm →
@ RC Rambling: Vanity is a weakness, but it’s also part of human nature. I read somewhere that attractive people not only get more dates, they also earn more money over their lifetime! I’m vain too – we all are, aren’t we? I’m trying to think out loud here and decide – where do we draw the line??
@ Marelisa: I too was shocked to see what bound feet look like.
@ Daphne: Thank you.
@ asrai: The toxins worry me. I do use makeup, and I’m fully aware it has stuff in it that I probably don’t want to have on my skin.
@ Lori: You’re lucky. In many families, daughters are praised for their looks more than anything else.
@ Barbara Swafford: I see your avatar in the backstage of my blog. It’s great to finally see you! I always think of a close friend who was, I guess, plain looking, but she was so charming and full of life, you couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She was gorgeous. She died at the age of 39. I miss her so much.
@ Michelle: Interesting observation!
Patricia responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 5:48 pm →
Plastic surgery has done wonders for my family, from closing a cleft palate and repairing the damage done by a botched surgery on myself, and my mum should have had breast reduction surgery, all those things were defining and have turned out to be life giving. Now that is real beauty.
Jade responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 6:05 pm →
The lip plates, foot binding and putting of coils.. I never really could comprehend why they think it is beautiful. I wonder who gave them that idea…
Lance responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 6:07 pm →
Hi Vered,
I just want you to know how much I appreciate how you’re bringing this up, and making it more known. Yes, I look at those first examples – and they don’t connect with me – they seem ancient, or in far away lands. And then – plastic surgery – which happens right here, in my neighborhood. And it quickly becomes more “real”. In the name of beauty…
The truth is, none of us are perfect – and never will be. Plastic surgery isn’t going to change that. Nor the myriad of other “miracle cures” for our body. Does it change our self-worth? Does it make us feel better about ourselves? Does it make us feel superior to others who still haven’t “perfected” their body? In the end, when our days here on earth are complete, does it really matter?
MomGrind responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 8:17 pm →
@ Patricia: Plastic surgery can also be very important for burn victims. It’s certainly not all about vanity.
@ Jade: Well… who gave us the idea that huge breasts on a stick thin woman are attractive?
@ Lance: I do believe plastic surgery is very similar to foot binding etc.
Kelvin Kao responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 9:36 pm →
I’ve seen foot binding before on some really old woman that were born when China was still ruled by emperors. Of course, by the time I was born to see that, they’ve already unbound their feet for many decades but you can still see the remaining effects from long ago. I haven’t seen one to the degree like the one you posted here though. If that’s not torture, I don’t know what is.
You didn’t put extreme dieting and really high heels here, but I guess they also count for some people.
Robin responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 9:42 pm →
I wish people would realise that the only way to feel beautiful is to decide to feel beautiful. Sigh. Frank and I are constantly amazed at the extremely high heels that are the fashion at the moment, here, for a lot of young women – we both think they look absolutely ridiculous, and they CAN’T be good for them.
Sigh again.
Hayden Tompkins responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 10:14 pm →
“it is almost always women who have to go through extreme suffering”
Yes, I HAD noticed that. Ugh.
Maya responds:
Posted: March 31st, 2009 at 11:12 pm →
This post made me shiver Vered.
This is insane – but goes to show that people have focused on looks for centuries now. Perhaps we are somewhat better off now – women are finally speaking up …
But we are worse off in other ways – people giving in to plastic surgery, giving in to their own standards of outwardly beauty – which in a lot of ways is not much different from the standards others place on us!
I wish I can bring my kids up to have the self confidence independent of their looks and I hope I can educate them to never judge, enforce or expect certain outwardly appearances from anyone they interact with in their lives …. What an utter waste of energy – all these women worrying about and spending $$$ only to struggle and look worse…
Dominique responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 3:32 am →
I have heard and seen footbinding before. It is a real ancient chinese tradition that was limited to wealthy girls. Poor girl had big feet and were considered “ugly” One of the reason that they bind the feet was that the women were unable to run away from the house as they were not able to balance on their tiny feet. Luckily it has been discontinued after the topple of the Chinese Dynasty.
Tricia responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 6:19 am →
Wonderful post! In addition to the malformations we embrace as culturally relevant and beautiful, there’s an article in Newsweek I read last night that points to the endless regimes even young children are engaging in.
Evelyn Lim responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 6:32 am →
I felt sick looking at the pictures. Even the one with the bound feet made me go pale! I’m not sure why women do these things to themselves. It’s really sad!
Dr. J responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 6:41 am →
I have been awed by some of the creative ways many cultures choose to express their artistic nature with body art, etc as part of their lifestyle, but there certainly are limits where “art” is destructive, and no longer beautiful!
Writer Dad responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 6:48 am →
Like Mare, I had never sen a picture of foot binding before. Grim.
Despite our civilization, we are still so, so primitive.
Kim Woodbridge responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am →
Thank you for bringing this to our attention even though it made me feel slightly ill. I also thought that foot binding just made the foot smaller – that’s pretty gruesome. High heels aren’t as extreme, obviously, but they also make it difficult to run away.
Corsets must be why women were always fainting in older novels.
Jannie responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 10:02 am →
If only we could concentrate on the beauty within, we’d all be a lot better off.
veena responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 10:13 am →
i felt so strange and sad reading this. terrible. i’m somebody who doesn’t even lke waxing my legs….. so painful and so sad.
The Lawyer Mom responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 10:35 am →
Ooof. It was painful just reading that. The photos were excruciating. I can’t even pluck my eyebrows.
Almost all of those “beauty” methods disable the women. You can’t run away on four inch feet, you can’t breathe in a corset, much less yell.
The saddest thing is the infliction of those things on children, who have no say in the matter.
Dot responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 11:02 am →
Thank you again, Vered. The Chinese are still trying to deform things to make them “beautiful,” but they’re using selective breeding. The goggle-eyed goldfish (who are blinded by the process) and the goggle-eyed dogs with squashed muzzles that give them all sorts of breathing problems are just two examples. An American example is spike heels, which can lead to severe toe deformities (even overlapping toes), among other things, but we don’t consider that severe. In fact, many of us (and our mates) love how our butts look in high heels and don’t even know about the deformities.
As for the person who wondered why women do these things, I think in part it’s to keep from being rejected by a partner. How many of us would feel secure in our relationships if we stopped shaving and waxing everything? Even underarms? Even facial hair?
Cath Lawson responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pm →
Hi Vered – These pics are scary – especially the foot binding. Things going wrong during or after surgery put me off plastic surgery. I broke my nose when I was a nurse (long and embarrassing story) and I would love that fixed as the tip is crooked.
I would also like to have the scar below my eye corrected (although the Silva method is helping a lot with that). But I worry too much that either procedure could go wrong – surgery is just so risky.
And there’s not just the death risk. I’ve seen a few pics of folk with those botched boob jobs you mentioned. And Michael Jackson and Jocelyn Wildenstein are enough to put anyone of surgery.
Sara at On Simplicity responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm →
I don’t whether to cry or be sick. This really calls into question just how “voluntary” most beauty procedures really are. I’m sure many women in these cultures “choose” to be beautiful with these methods (thank goodness foot binding is no longer in practice, though). But is it really a free choice when it’s what your culture dictates? And what things am I “choosing” that someone else would find grotesque?
Bamboo Forest - PunIntended responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 3:38 pm →
I find these practices disturbing. Health has such an impact over one’s quality of life. To endanger health and cause suffering for no good reason is insane.
Yes, I think you may be right. Plastic surgery may fall under this umbrella. Though – it could be argued that statistically, plastic surgery generally isn’t as dangerous as say, the binding of feet.
Nevertheless, it really does raise the question: Is plastic surgery ever really worth it?
Kelly@SHE-POWER responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pm →
Vered, another well researched and powerful article from you, showing how important your blog is for women. You should be writing under the moniker SHE-POWER!
The foot binding photo shocked me too because I assumed the foot just didn’t grow, not ended up as deformed as that (not that I’m saying lack of growth is more okay). I tried those Spanx step-ins once for under a tight dress and if corsets are worse than those, then all women of society must have walked around with a pained expression on their face everyday. So uncomfortable. The photos of breast impants gone wrong is scary. It’s hard to imagien these women don’t feel worse about themselves now than they did before. And it’s not even that unusual for problems with this sort of procedure – it sends shivers down my spine. I have dabbled with the idea of getting lipo on and off for years – my butt is so round and big and if it was smaller I’d lose a dress size right there – but I can’t imagine I ever would because it seems like the height of foolishness to have a major operation for no good reason at all. Going under anesthetic is never something to dismiss. Besides, it does go against my principles and MusicMan loves my big butt!
Kelly@SHE-POWER
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 5:28 pm →
@ Kelvin Kao: “If that’s not torture, I don’t know what is.” Exactly! You’re making excellent points when you mention extreme dieting and very high heels.
@ Robin: I hate high heels. Those 4” ones are, as you say, ridiculous – and very unhealthy.
@ Hayden Tompkins: It’s interesting that this is true across many cultures.
@ Maya: It’s a terrible waste of money, time and energy.
@ Dominique: “the women were unable to run away from the house as they were not able to balance on their tiny feet.” Amazing.
@ Tricia: Thanks for the link. Interesting, and very sad.
@ Evelyn Lim: Cultural norms and pressure, I guess. I do way more than I would like to do as far as beauty rituals go.
@ Dr. J: Interesting point of view. No doubt it’s art – the art of body modification – but I find it horrific!
@ Writer Dad: I think we’re better than previous generations. But it’s true: we are still primitive.
@ Kim Woodbridge: “Corsets must be why women were always fainting in older novels.” Probably. Re foot binding, I had no idea either. It’s horrible.
@ Jannie: I don’t think human nature will allow it. Maybe the goal should be to focus LESS on outside beauty.
@ veena: These images made me sad too. They represent a lot of suffering and discomfort.
@ The Lawyer Mom: “Almost all of those “beauty” methods disable the women.” – exactly. And I agree that it’s saddest when done to children, as is the case with many of these “procedures.”
@ Dot: I should totally write a post about high heels.
@ Cath Lawson: It’s true. There are many risks associated with plastic surgery.
@ Sara: You’re asking an excellent question. I have to agree it’s not fully a “choice,” even when a grown woman makes that choice. There’s a lot of pressure to look a certain way and we respond to it.
@ Bamboo Forest: I’m pretty sure any plastic surgeon will tell you that plastic surgery is generally very safe. Still, there are definitely risks. And, it’s a form of body modification to respond to cultural norms and expectations regarding beauty.
@ Kelly: Writing as “SHE-POWER” – Haha I like that idea.
Musicman is a smart man, and you are a smart woman for accepting yourself the way you are. We both know you are gorgeous.
Jonathan Mead responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 8:12 pm →
Wow… the foot binding is just insane. I’ve heard of it before, but never actually saw a photo of what it does to the feet.
I know it’s not the point of this article… but many men do similarly extreme things in the name of beauty. See: massive amounts of testicle shrinking steroids.
J.D. Meier responds:
Posted: April 1st, 2009 at 8:52 pm →
I wanted to get a lip plate, but I just wasn’t sure how I would kiss.
The neck rings look cool though and I think they’d make it easier to rest my head.
If that really is a foot after foot binding, that’s pretty scary.
Kikolani responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am →
It’s certainly not ancient practice. Though not as severe, when I went in for my wedding dress fitting, I told the alterations person that I literally couldn’t breath because of how tight she pulled the corset, and she said that I should suffer for the day just to be pretty. I’d rather let the strings out, look a bit larger, and enjoy the day over suffering.
~ Kristi
Ian Peatey responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 am →
Not only plastic surgery, but the whole piercing and body art thing. I have a small tattoo on my shoulder and, admittedly I’m a big pussy, but I nearly passed out. I found it incredibly painful. I can’t explain why I like it ( I do), not for beauty as it’s hidden most of the time.
Hmm .. this post has really got me thinking what it was all about and I can’t find any answers.
lizriz responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm →
Very difficult to look at some of those pictures, but I really appreciated the comparison to many popular plastic surgeries. I can’t imagine ever wanting any of that.
Davina responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm →
Vered, I was horrified by the picture of that foot. And then saddened to see the extent that women go to for beauty. What would the world be like if we put that same energy into beautifying the inside? This might sound odd to some, but over the last year I’ve gained close to 15 pounds. I keep trying to loose it to get back to where I was before, and because I don’t believe it is healthy. But on another level, I feel more comfortable with my body than I ever have. I can’t believe I’m saying that!
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm →
@ Jonathan Mead: Men do insane things too, and steroids are a good example. I do think pressure on women is significantly more intense.
@ J.D. Meier: You’re funny. The foot binding picture shocked me too.
@ Kikolani: “I should suffer for the day just to be pretty” – that’s insane.
@ Ian Peatey: Let me know when you find out.
@ lizriz: “I can’t imagine ever wanting any of that.” I can, which is why I use this blog to occasionally remind myself why I shouldn’t.
@ Davina: “I can’t believe I’m saying that!” – it’s absolutely wonderful that you’re saying that!
Mark responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 8:34 pm →
How does the media or the masses portray beauty? I think it comes down to ones perception of beauty and often that is what is seen on tv or in a magazine. In a culture that isnt influenced much by the media Is it being brainwashed through generations of male dominated beliefs? Very sad that our society puts so much emphasis on a specific look.
Carla responds:
Posted: April 2nd, 2009 at 9:39 pm →
I never knew foot binding was deforming. Painful? Yes. Deforming? I had no idea.
Even some of the small things we do to modify our appearance, men do not have to do. Eyebrow waxing, shaving body hair (although men have to have their faces daily) and so many other “small” things we do in the name of beauty. Not saying its wrong or right – just interesting.
Suzie responds:
Posted: April 3rd, 2009 at 9:43 am →
Good lord how depressing
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm →
@ Mark: “being brainwashed through generations of male dominated beliefs?” – interesting observation, Mark.
@ Carla: I think of all the “small” things as such a huge waste of time, yet I diligently do them.
@ Suzie: Yup. It is.
Wesley responds:
Posted: April 4th, 2009 at 10:59 am →
Everyone is, especially women, taught from a young age that beauty is important. Even Beauty and the Beast, the moral of which is supposedly that inner beauty is most important, teaches that being good looking is very important. If anyone wants to dispute this I can provide many examples from the movie.
Rooibossieka responds:
Posted: April 4th, 2009 at 11:52 am →
As many of you, I have been touched by this article and photos.
It really makes one think about what is really important in life.
Beauty comes from within and we should teach our children that.
Amy responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2009 at 6:26 am →
Interesting to see how everyone’s perception of beauty is vastly different. So when looking at pics like above, whether it is plastic surgery, a piercing or a tattoo, I always hope that people are doing for themselves and not to impress someone else.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2009 at 3:10 pm →
@ Wesley: I agree. We are taught that beauty is more important than anything else, especially for women.
@ Rooibossieka: It’s true that beauty comes from within, yet external beauty has been important to people since the dawn of humanity. I know there are explanations such as “beauty signifies health and fertility,” but none of them can explain what we see in these photos.
@ Amy: I think it would be very difficult to argue that women are making a truly free choice to go through all this pain and that they are doing it for themselves. I believe that in most cases, they are doing this for others. If society accepted them as they are, they would never go through so much pain and discomfort to “look better.”
Giovanna Garcia responds:
Posted: April 5th, 2009 at 11:55 pm →
This is a very powerful post. I had an event for business over the weekend and I had on high heels both days. And I tell you… it kills me, yet I wear them whenever I speak or for something important. Personal I would love to just wear tennis shoes everyday. But they don’t make a good marketing package.
Thank you for this post.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Adrenalynn responds:
Posted: April 6th, 2009 at 12:19 pm →
It’s all been said- another great and important post! What I wanted to respond to was Lori’s comment: “I’m glad my family valued intellect, perseverance, quick-thinking, competence, and character over looks. As I was growing up, my worth was never based on appearance.” What an AMAZING statement. I only hope I can do right by my children in the same way. I remember my mother criticizing her appearance in front of me when I was younger, and that shaped the way I saw myself growing up. I don’t think she ever realized the impact it had on me- and neither did I until I got older.
Vikum responds:
Posted: April 6th, 2009 at 6:50 pm →
Hi Vered,
Thanks a lot for sharing.
It’s really sad to see how much people are suffering for maintain their beauty. If happiness is not there what is the point of suffer for beauty like this? But who knows? Sometimes maybe they enjoy these things.
And it’s pretty interesting to see how do people think about beauty in different countries and cultures. What a place this earth is?
Vered, You are really creative to write such interesting things
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 6th, 2009 at 9:03 pm →
@ Giovanna Garcia: I need to do a post on high heels!
@ Adrenalynn: I completely agree. One of my most important goals is to raise daughters who love themselves just the way they are.
@ Vikum: “it’s pretty interesting to see how do people think about beauty in different countries and cultures.” I agree! Feminism aside. it was fascinating to write this article.
Natural responds:
Posted: April 7th, 2009 at 6:06 pm →
Geeze, those pictures are heart breaking and like you mentioned, it’s always the woman. I hate that, of course, especially when it’s done just to get or please a man. Yawn.
rowe responds:
Posted: April 10th, 2009 at 5:15 am →
The thing is this, a lot of women go to extraordinary lengths to heighten their appeal for, in many cases (not all), men whose behaviour is appalling and undeserving of any decent woman to say the least. Our latest and most famous example of a beautiful woman (who goes to the trouble to heighten her beauty) punched in the face by a bloke, none other than singer Rhianna. Who would have thought such a beautifully presented woman would be degraded and treated thus. I’m damn sure that was not her intention when making herself up to look even more gorgeous. If any bloke is worth plumping for it is he who accepts a woman for her natural beauty first and then whatever add ons she decides upon for herself. I have contemplated plastic surgery but decided against due to the expense and risk factors primarily and because my better judgement tells me don’t bother.
Hisham responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2009 at 2:57 am →
Who say they are suffering?? this is part of the culture and I think they are feeling great with it, it’s their own way to show beauty!
Renee responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2009 at 7:30 pm →
Great post! It has inspired me and I will plan on writing a post like this (my site it on beauty, inner and outer, media, etc). The only thing I can think of that women do today that are “suffering” are plastic surgery, but I’m sure I can dig deeper in and find out more craziness. (I heard about a Brazilian hair straightening technique where some women have become disabled because of the fumes? I can only vaguely remember).
Anyways, awesome post as usual. I’ve been a lurker for a while now and decided it’s time to show my face
MomGrind responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2009 at 9:53 pm →
@ Natural: Yes, it’s almost always the women who go through extreme suffering in order to look “better.”
@ rowe: “I have contemplated plastic surgery but decided against due to the expense and risk factors primarily and because my better judgement tells me don’t bother.” – You’re a smart woman.
@ Hisham: “I think they are feeling great with it” – looking at the photos, and reading about what these women endured in order to achieve these looks, I wouldn’t be so sure about the “feeling great” part.
@ Renee: I’m looking forward to your own take on the subject!
Women And Body Image: Ten Disturbing Facts | responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2009 at 9:55 pm →
[...] Reading: Suffering For Beauty Sex Sells? We’ve Still Got A Long Way To Go Breaking: Cosmo Magazine To Change Its Name I [...]
Stacey / Create a Balance responds:
Posted: April 15th, 2009 at 3:41 pm →
All of your posts about what women do for beauty are powerful and I believe your words are making a difference in the world.
10 Ways To Love Yourself As A Woman | responds:
Posted: July 1st, 2009 at 10:06 am →
[...] Reject the notions that a woman must suffer for beauty, and that “beautiful” has just one definition. During my teens, in the late eighties, I [...]
Hate Yourself As A Woman responds:
Posted: August 7th, 2009 at 11:16 pm →
[...] Accept that a woman must suffer for beauty and attempt to look as close as possible to the current “beauty ideal.” Become a [...]
Huon responds:
Posted: February 7th, 2010 at 9:45 pm →
It is reported that the death rate amongst Chinese girls undergoing foot binding was around 10%. This resulted from gangrene where the blood supply was cut off from parts of the foot. A horrible way to die.
MomGrind responds:
Posted: February 8th, 2010 at 3:18 pm →
Wow. A horrible way indeed.