An Obsession with Physical Perfection

We are overwhelmed with the oversaturated images by internet, newspaper, and magazines. Our beauty products are centered to a false image of beauty, and our children are being raised to believe the hype. It's almost engrained in our minds that beauty in the traditional sense is the standard. Physical perfection whether but nature or surgery is a must have. Even in hard economic times there are people who can't wait to spend their last dime on some form of "hope in a bottle". A promise to look younger, have a straighter nose, pinned back ears, cellulite free thighs, bigger breasts, smaller breasts, larger calves, smaller waist, bigger biceps, rock hard abs, longer hair, stronger legs, and whiter teeth the list goes on infinitely. When will the pressure to be perfect end?

The Pamela Anderson Effect

Many have come before and some after. They were the women that portrayed the ideal woman in image. Marilyn Monroe and Pamela Anderson seemingly came from the same mold of perceived perfection. They are buxom blondes with cascading platinum blonde hair, blue eyes, and a lighthearted flirty personality. Marilyn Monroe lit the way like a shooting star striking through the night, but Marilyn Monroe was once Norma Jean. Dark haired, soft hearted and naive she moved through the world unknown until her image was manufactured and she was thrust into legendary stardom. To this day the images of these broken females with "perfect" bodies continue to set the standard of what beauty should be. Should our daughters strive to be formed in an image of physical perfection while being empty and unfulfilled on the inside? Does this image of brokenness only add to the appeal of these females in that they are non-threatening because of their vulnerability and clueless mannerisms?

The Appeal of "Fake" Women to Men

Men sometimes have a tendency to impose the same unrealistic expectation of perfection that society as a whole has for women. Some men expect us to be perfect in every way...from our hair to our nails, skin, shape, breasts, hips, butt, lips, teeth, and physical attributes. We as women strive to provide the physical perfection men so desire. False eyelashes, eye shadow, foundation, tanning, bronzers, pencils, lipsticks, concealer, hair color, hair sprays, gels, and lotions, perfect fragrance, perfect everything! It's at times exhausting as a female, I myself am guilty as well I love to dress up and add on all the dramatic make-up when I go out. I love me some MAC eyelashes! Even if we as females enjoy dressing up it is fair to be held to that standard all the time?

False Eyelashes and Fur to the Supermarket

I have heard of girlfriends who swear that their Aunts will not leave the house without their lipstick, mascara, foundation, etc. I have also been to the supermarket and have seen females with false eyelashes on wearing sweatpants and a fur lined jacket-what is wrong with this picture? One would think that you could relax and shop for groceries on a Sunday afternoon in peace in your sweat pants that don't match your sweatshirt with a bare face and tennis shoes on...apparently not so. So no matter who is at fault for the origination of this false sense of beauty, who strives to obtain it, or who is responsible for enforcing it lets all remember that all beauty fades eventually, and some beauty fades quickly. Let's raise our daughters to love themselves for the natural beauty they are blessed with and raise our sons to recognize true beauty and appreciate it.