The Beauty Trap

We are taught by the media and fashion industry from a very early age that we are not physically and financially adequate. Then we live our lives trying to live up to culturally defined illusions of beauty and success.

Research suggests that virtually all women have a degree of shame concerning their bodies. Self-disgust plagues women and girls. As soon as some disappointment occurs, such as losing a boyfriend/husband, loss of a job or failed interview, we often blame ourselves because we have internalized the commercial world’s definition of beauty and compare ourselves to an unrealistic standard. I adore Anita Roddick’s, founder of The Body Shop comment; “There are three billion women who don’t look like supermodels and only eight who do.” Sadly, this does not stop the fashion industry, the diet industry, and the cosmetic industry from promoting products to miraculously transform us into Hollywood and Madison Avenue’s definition of beauty.

Noteworthy findings cite girls as young as seven years old worry over the size and shape of their bodies. Oprah Winfry’s television program has often addressed this issue. Oprah once featured taped interviews of young boys who were asked, “What makes a girl pretty?” Approximately 99% of the boys said, “Thin.” My own daughter fell victim to this mindset!