The number of breast augmentations performed in the United States has skyrocketed in the past two decades. Statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeryshow the following:
Number of breast augmentations performed in 1992 : 32,607
Number of breast augmentations performed in 2007 : 399,440
Culture screens breasts with impeccable thoroughness, almost never representing those that are soft, or asymmetrical, or drooping, or mature, or that have gone through the changes of pregnancy. Looking at breasts in culture one would have little idea that real breasts come in as many shapes and variations as there are women. [...] Since beauty censorship keeps women in profound darkness about other women’s real bodies, it is able to make virtually any woman feel that her breasts alone are too soft or low or sagging or small or big or weird or wrong.”
This sense of shame and inadequacy fuels the cosmetic surgery industry. As Wolf explains in her book,
“Modern cosmetic surgeons have a direct financial interest in a social role for women that requires them to feel ugly.”
For pictures (and stories) of real breasts, visit this site: 007b.com (NSFW, obviously)
Angelina Jolie – widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful women – has radically transformed her appearance over the years and now, at 33, looks nothing like her adolescent self: an indication that she might have had extensive cosmetic surgery.
This video – poor production values aside – shows two very different images of the actress. Before and after.
A couple of years ago Peggy Orenstein wrote an article for the New York Times magazine entitled “What’s Wrong With Cinderella?” about the rise of the Disney Princess line of toys. It left an indelible impression on my mind, long before I started to work on this film. A must read for mothers, grandmothers, and anyone who is going to raise a girl.
An excerpt:
There are no studies proving that playing princess directly damages girls’ self-esteem or dampens other aspirations. On the other hand, there is evidence that young women who hold the most conventionally feminine beliefs — who avoid conflict and think they should be perpetually nice and pretty — are more likely to be depressed than others and less likely to use contraception. What’s more, the 23 percent decline in girls’ participation in sports and other vigorous activity between middle and high school has been linked to their sense that athletics is unfeminine. And in a survey released last October by Girls Inc., school-age girls overwhelmingly reported a paralyzing pressure to be “perfect”: not only to get straight A’s and be the student-body president, editor of the newspaper and captain of the swim team but also to be “kind and caring,” “please everyone, be very thin and dress right.” Give those girls a pumpkin and a glass slipper and they’d be in business.
Stepping inside the Barbie store is a true immersion experience.
Girls can shop for clothes, have their nails and hair done, peruse the latest dolls and buy Barbie accessories such as wristwatches, two-way radios and play laptops. Entry is free, though admission to the Casa de Barbie, the fantasy-land in the rear, is about $10. A manicure runs about $6, hair braiding costs as much as $20, and an elaborate “Barbie Full Style” hairdo can set Mom back $38.
An amazing way to teach young girls concepts of beauty, thinness and consumerism!
There is a reason that fat people cannot stay thin after they diet and that thin people cannot stay fat when they force themselves to gain weight. The body’s metabolism speeds up or slows down to keep weight within a narrow range. Gain weight and the metabolism can as much as double; lose weight and it can slow to half its original speed.
Back in Paris after two incredible weeks in Boston, MA, where I met up with many authors and experts that I will interview once the film is in production.
The amount of support and ultra-positive feedback I received was astounding – which makes me even more motivated to work on this film. I will write more about that in the upcoming days…
