(no subject)

[leia131]

So, I happened across this infomercial late last night. I started watching it because all it was showing me were pretty girls posing for cameras, and I was like, "Oh-ho, what is this?"

The women on the ad then proceeded to say that this product made them feel confident and empowered, and that it boosted their self esteem. 

And do you know what this miracle product was? It was this... thing, that made them have more cleavage. Seriously. That was it.


Now, I realize that we live in a shallow, image-obsessed society, but do you really want to tell me that it's a good thing, a thing we should promote products for, that women derive their self-esteem and confidence from their CLEAVAGE? Not even their overall appearance, no, just their cleavage.

But my real problem with this infomercial is the use of the word "empowered." Somehow, I don't think having more cleavage is one of the goals of women's empowerment.

Honestly, you're telling me that this, THIS is what makes women feel empowered? SERIOUSLY? Cleavage? Not oh, I don't know, intelligence or the right to vote or equal pay for equal work or being allowed to wear pants and own land and divorce men and a million other things women can do today that they couldn't do in the past?

I just don't like women being told that looking hotter will make them more confident and empowered. It won't. It will just make them look hotter. 

And if that's your idea of empowerment, well, it's just not good enough for me.

Comments

[zartlila.livejournal.com]

I SHARE YOUR FRUSTRATION! Also, this weird fixation on women's bodies is why I'm on a campaign to make all women love their bodies, regardless of shape or size or what society tells them to look like. Sheesh.

On a side note, go see Indiana Jones. I cannot wait to hear your thoughts about it.

[leia131.livejournal.com]

I'm going to see it tomorrow, and you know I will be posting thoughts. I would also like to tell you how much I appreciate you putting your thoughts beneath a cut, as I am avoiding all spoilers.

Let's do it. Let's have everyone love their bodies. Where do we begin?

[basslyoon.livejournal.com]

As to your first paragraph....
You are SO gay.

The rest...woot!

[leia131.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha! I am, I really am.

[zartlila.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks, I'm glad you appreciate the cut. Spoilers are one of my biggest pet peeves, so even though there's nothing too spoilerific under there I thought it was the courteous thing to do.

So . . . I haven't quite figured out how to make the campaign work on a global level, but starting small is certainly not a problem. It seems like a lot of the girls I know have body image issues, sadly (I know I do on occasion as well, I think it's just prevalent in our society). So when my friends are having particularly bad "I'm ugly" days, I force them to talk to me about what parts of their body they think are pretty (because everyone has SOME nice feature, be it eyes, left ear, shoulders, whatever). It works for me when I'm having an ugly day, to remember that I like at least a few things about the way I look, and to focus on those. So . . . yeah. That was long and rambly, and feel free to add any thoughts you have. I think it's a good goal to work towards. :-)

[whatsername99.livejournal.com]

They may not be empowering, but they sure as hell get me out of speeding tickets.

;-)

[doctorfumbles.livejournal.com]

\o/!
Amen to everything you said.

[theatregeek1986.livejournal.com]

Sing it sister!

[bunyipflip.livejournal.com]

I was at the casino last night with some of the friends here for my graduation party, including Abby, and my buddy James and I were looking down from the top floor people watching (while we waited for somebody to catch up), and I made a joke that we should try to look down girls' shirts. Almost immediately this woman walked by with the biggest cleavage and the tiniest body--it was amazing. Instead of feeling like dirty pervs, though, we both went: "why do people wear these things?"

There is definitely a line where it's too much: belly shirts, bathing suits made of string, thongs, etc. But we came to the conclusion, both being men with girlfriends, that in a lot of cases the supposed "sexist ways of our culture" are female-imposed and, for the most part, do impart confidence.

Personally, you may not want to wear makeup, put on pants that fit, or comb your hair. But in the simplest ways that's just self-maintenance. It goes hand in hand with taking a shower or brushing your teeth. If you don't take care of yourself or look positive to other people you are not going to be received well, which works for men OR women. People always go "it's how you feel about yourself that matters," but I really think that you can't possibly feel good about yourself looking like a bum in public unless that is what you really desire. Honestly.

And as far as the feminine side of things, wearing low-cut tops and skirts are just things to accentuate your femininity. I sound like a chauvinist I suppose, but it doesn't mean that you can't also be wearing pants, jackets, or shirts. So long as it looks good, feels comfortable, and you're really proud of how you look in it then it's all good. It's sad that some people feel they need to flaunt their privates to feel confident, but that's their concern and let them waste their money. It's not a bad thing to show cleavage or wear heels; if it makes you feel good, do it. Some women just aren't comfortable with their appearance and they need things like those bust-enhancing pills to do it. It's a quick-fix, I know, but if that's their issue it's their problem.

Feminists are very quick to leap on these things as dire and serious problems to their gender, but many fail to realize that it's a genderless issue (first and foremost because men suffer it too) or that some women are actually very much in approval of these things. It all depends on how you slice it. Don't always assume they're doing it because they can't get attention any other way or lack self-confidence; some people just like it. There's nothing wrong with that.

[jurisfiction16.livejournal.com]

I agree with you and not just because you're my boyfriend.
I think that most confidence comes from the inside and just doing simple things like hygiene and clothing. It's a shame that these women can't appreciate their boobs as they are, but everyone is self-conscious about SOMETHING. People are always trying to fix their hair, their weight, their skin, etc. This is no different. If they want to waste their money on bigger boobs and if that makes them happy, then go for it. I'm not going to judge.
As for the empowerment issue . . . I suppose confidence IS empowering. I do find it a little sad, though, that all of your confidence is completely 100% tied up in your boobs.
What I would like to know is what exactly this 'thing' is. Is it a pill, cream, pectoral exerciser, or bra device? Is it safe? Is it comfortable? Is it expensive? What is it made out of? How long do you have to use it? How, exactly, does it make your cleavage bigger? These are all the important variables that can give us the scope of how truly ridiculous the product is.
I agree with Phil that men go through the same types of issues and that stuff like this is more designed to impress women than men. A woman probably came up with it and I know that the women models they used probably had no qualms selling the product to us. I just don't know think Meg was directly challenging men with her commentary. I don't think she was implying that men were forcing this on us.
The bottom line is: do what makes you feel good, but if it's a little ridiculous in the general scope of things, be prepared for your friends to laugh at you, say you wasted your money, and ask why you can't just stuff your shirt like a normal human being.

[jurisfiction16.livejournal.com]

And one more thing: I don't agree with the fact that we live in a "shallow image-based society." That's EVERY society. Always has been, always will be. How you present yourself physically speaks volumes and dictates opinions and future plans for getting to know people. Anyone who doesn't think so is a complete moron. It's basic sociology and borders into biology. Animals don't choose the dirty, ragged, scrawny (or whatever else makes an animal ugly by their standards) animal to be their mate.
Humans are more apt to be attracted to the 'beautiful' potential mates because they want it to carry over into their children and give THEM the best chance for finding mates.
I'm with you in your argument, Meg, except for that one point about society. That is just my two cents about it, but you know I'm right. You can't deny science, whether it's Bio or something softer like sociology.
Do I think the boob thing is stupid? Sure. I think it's a bad invention made for the more desperate, self-conscious type of woman. The company will probably be bankrupt within a month. It probably doesn't even work. I do not think, however, that being appearance-oriented is bad or that it is in circulation in our country because we're more appearance oriented than anyone else. You find me a culture that focuses purely on personality traits and abilities, and I will stand corrected.

[bunyipflip.livejournal.com]

It's certainly more apparent in American culture, but not secluded to just within our borders. It's biological, like you stated, hun; men are more apt to chase women with hips and busts, women go for men with more masculine features. This isn't always so cut and dry, no, but EVERYBODY fits in there some way and some how. Just the workings of the world. A scrawny ass guy is still "masculine" in some sense of the word; you are attracted to that, as a woman, even if he doesn't have the broad shoulders and chiseled chin.

Anyways, sorry to rag on you Meg if I seemed like I was. You have more important things to tend to after today anyways, it seems. Congrats! :)

[leia131.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't think it's only our society, I just think we have a slightly more heightened sense in America (and, well, anywhere there's television) of glamorous people that we want to look like but probably never will.

They actually did do a sociological study about how after the introduction of television into developing countries, teenage anorexia spiked. So I agree.

[leia131.livejournal.com]

It was... it was like a bra, but... not quite. I wish I could remember what it was called so I could find a picture of it.

In any case, it wasn't a permanent solution, more like a push up bra.