Super skinny models

What a fantastic discussion! I agree with all of you. Although, I think these days it's not so much the models that are a problem as the celebrities. I think they're seen as much more of a role model for younger women.

Have you noticed how women who are in the public eye get progressively skinnier? It's awful - an actress or whoever might start off looking relatively OK and the more famous they get the more they disappear physically. It's like they're not allowed to take up too much space.

I suspect that many of us on this forum are not part of the target market for these designers/magazines, etc. It's younger women they're going for - get 'em young and and keep 'em buying. I'm not affected by any of it anymore (I'm 40 now and happy with the way I look) but it does have a huge impact on teens/twenties.

That's why the message that you don't have to look like this (and most of the time it's a physical impossibility anyway, thanks to photoshop/airbrushing, etc.) is really important.

Ronne
 
>I know people are going to be mad at me, but who cares if
>they are skinny? I can never play basketball because I am not
>tall enough, can't be a gymnast because I am not small enough,
>can't be a singer because I can't sing...on and on. So, I
>cannot be a runway model because I have muscles and I am
>petite. Just like those models couldn't be fitness models
>because they are not toned. If a role in a movie calls for a
>tall blond, should I get mad because I am short brunette? No.
>The criteria for the fasion industry (runway models) is to be
>thin (hanger-like, as a PP said). So, that is what they are
>suppose to be...I think girls look more at the Beyonces of the
>world for their "role modeling" (which isn't great, either)
>We should really be worried about shows on MTV that have
>mothers looking for dates for their skanky daughters, the
>sexual exploitation in videos, etc. More girls see those
>shows than a runway show. Why do we care this much? Women
>have bigger fish to fry than to worry about this.
>Just my two cents...
>
>

Jennfit, I care because my almost 14 year old, 5-2 110 pound size 4 daughter calls herself fat at times. The ads are not aimed at us, but these kids, and they are the ones that will develop the eating disorders.

I also care because I cannot wear clothes from Activa to work, and what the designers make eventually trickle down to me, and some years I simply cannot find things that look good on this aging, curvy body because someone thinks I should be wearing clothes that are made for a 5-10, 110 model!
 
Well said ladies.
Looking at the models photos. They don't even look attractive. They look like hanging skin on bones.
I know i would like to be a little thinner, but in no way a skeleton like that.
That is why the kids out there now a days are developing eating disorders.
It is a shame.
Hey we need to put fitness models pics on out frige....

Anne
Aka( Storm)

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
"Jennfit, I care because my almost 14 year old, 5-2 110 pound size 4 daughter calls herself fat at times. The ads are not aimed at us, but these kids, and they are the ones that will develop the eating disorders.

I also care because I cannot wear clothes from Activa to work, and what the designers make eventually trickle down to me, and some years I simply cannot find things that look good on this aging, curvy body because someone thinks I should be wearing clothes that are made for a 5-10, 110 model!"

Just chiming in to agree with dorothyrd. And Clare. I honestly don't have the slightest desire to be anorexically thin, and I don't find it to be even remotely attractive. I'd rather look like Megan Mullally than Nicole Ritchie. But I do worry about my 14-yr. old niece and other girls that age, and I do need to find non-athletic clothes to wear. In my profession, I feel that looking well-tailored and "put together" is very important.

Nancy

ETA: Don't you think Megan Mullally is lovely?
 
.
>
>I also care because I cannot wear clothes from Activa to work,
>and what the designers make eventually trickle down to me, and
>some years I simply cannot find things that look good on this
>aging, curvy body because someone thinks I should be wearing
>clothes that are made for a 5-10, 110 model!


Well, it is upsetting to me that one would allow others to influence them that much. Again, it doesn't matter what others think you "should" wear. There are plently of stores, like Lane Bryant, that fit bigger women. And, I buy a lot of clothes that are dressy that certainly couldn't fit a 5-10 model.

As for all the young girls, the greatest influence in their lives is the SAME SEXED parent. (which is shocking to me because I thought my dad was to blame! ha) We have so much MORE influence on our daughters than any media outlet could ever have unless we allow the media to be teaching our children (girls) values. Which, sadly, many mothers do.

I work in the sports industry and it is amazing how many young girls look at female athletes as their inspiration. Mia Hamm is their absolute favorite. And, she is "normal". But, even with great role models like Mia, girls can still become depressed - what if they don't make the soccer team? What if they are not fast? what if? what if? That is what all girls say (because they are young teens)...I am not good enough. It is up to the PARENTS - mothers - to let them know they are good enough...no matter how fast, skinny, fat, smart, etc. In every facet of life we can compare ourselves to one another...especially young girls do this. BUT - it is up to US to show them that they are ok the way that they are. They may not be the skinniest, the smartest, may not get into the school they want, may not be rich, popular, captain, etc. and that is OK!! (think of how many girls get depressed for a bad grade) Should we stop the grading system? To blame the fashion industry for anorexia is an easy way out of that deeper issue. I know many excellent athletes who are anorexic because they want to be faster or jump higher - NOTHING to do with a model in a magazine. Unfortunately this country - WOMEN - are obsessed with outside influences.

I don't know, I just don't think that the fashion industry is responsible to teach our children intrisic values. Just like a bad math grade shouldn't allow a girl to crumble. And, if it does, there is more to be done.

I love this discussion and I LOVE your points. They really get me thinking. But, women have a LONG way to go to feeling equal to men and we do it to ourselves. We are our own worst enemies...which is the saddest thing to me. If we all stuck together and let go a bit - we would be ruling this Earth. Wouldn't that be cool? Then we could make catalogs just the way we want them! Have no more wars, except against the fashion industry, and our lands would be a bit more green. I DO believe that much!

Take care everyone and thanks for getting me thinking - it is great for us to do this!
 
>
>I also care because I cannot wear clothes from Activa to work,
>and what the designers make eventually trickle down to me, and
>some years I simply cannot find things that look good on this
>aging, curvy body because someone thinks I should be wearing
>clothes that are made for a 5-10, 110 model!


Well, it is upsetting to me that one would allow others to influence them that much. Again, it doesn't matter what others think you "should" wear. There are plently of stores, like Lane Bryant, that fit bigger women. And, I buy a lot of clothes that are dressy that certainly couldn't fit a 5-10 model.

As for all the young girls, the greatest influence in their lives is the SAME SEXED parent. (which is shocking to me because I thought my dad was to blame! ha) We have so much MORE influence on our daughters than any media outlet could ever have unless we allow the media to be teaching our children (girls) values. Which, sadly, many mothers do.

I work in the sports industry and it is amazing how many young girls look at female athletes as their inspiration. Mia Hamm is their absolute favorite. And, she is "normal". But, even with great role models like Mia, girls can still become depressed - what if they don't make the soccer team? What if they are not fast? what if? what if? That is what all girls say (because they are young teens)...I am not good enough. It is up to the PARENTS - mothers - to let them know they are good enough...no matter how fast, skinny, fat, smart, etc. In every facet of life we can compare ourselves to one another...especially young girls do this. BUT - it is up to US to show them that they are ok the way that they are. They may not be the skinniest, the smartest, may not get into the school they want, may not be rich, popular, captain, etc. and that is OK!! (think of how many girls get depressed for a bad grade) Should we stop the grading system? To blame the fashion industry for anorexia is an easy way out of that deeper issue. I know many excellent athletes who are anorexic because they want to be faster or jump higher - NOTHING to do with a model in a magazine. Unfortunately this country - WOMEN - are obsessed with outside influences.

I don't know, I just don't think that the fashion industry is responsible to teach our children intrisic values. Just like a bad math grade shouldn't allow a girl to crumble. And, if it does, there is more to be done.

I love this discussion and I LOVE your points. They really get me thinking. But, women have a LONG way to go to feeling equal to men and we do it to ourselves. We are our own worst enemies...which is the saddest thing to me. If we all stuck together and let go a bit - we would be ruling this Earth. Wouldn't that be cool? Then we could make catalogs just the way we want them! Have no more wars, except against the fashion industry, and our lands would be a bit more green. I DO believe that much!

Take care everyone and thanks for getting me thinking - it is great for us to do this!
 
I am too small for Lane Bryant, I wear a size 8-10.

Fashion that goes out to the general stores( I shop a lot at Kohls), is dictated by the runway. So when shopping sometimes there are things that simply are not suitable. Luckily places like Kohls, Penny's...carry what I call sensible clothing. Still there are some years that it is really hard to find something fasionalble.

I agree that parents influence their children, and I have always told my daughter she is not fat, so was surprised when she said that. At a certain age, the mother is NOT the main person influencing their daughter's their peers are, and peers are watching television and looking at magazines.

My daughter had a swim team friend who last year had dieted down to about 80 pounds, and was her same height. It was scary because the girl was skeletal, was swimming extremely bad, and just looked bad. Luckily the parents did something about it, and she looks 100 % better this year. Why did this happen to this girl, I don't know. She is a perfectionist, and really focused on her school and swimming, so maybe she felt she was not good enough. Did models cause this, probably not. But the never ending diet message is out there.
 
Just reading all yopur comments. Highly intelligent comments.

I hadn't actually looked at the photos in the quoted article above and have just done so. Oh my god! I think I might be sick. The women look so ill. All I can think about looking at them, is osteoporosis, eating disorders, terrible self-esteem, heart attack risk, etc, etc. This is not healthy and none of them, none of them are that thin naturally. hardly anyone is. This is the starved look and I really hope the riches are worth it.

Does anyone actually think that any of these girls looks attractive, and god forbid, sexy?

Sick, sick, sick.

Clare
 
Clare- I can't believe I hadn't looked at the photos either. I just screamed when I saw them. They look like the Auschwitz pictures I've seen. No wonder one of the models died. :eek:
Nancy
 
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