tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post8469388257336721675..comments2023-10-31T05:09:35.339-04:00Comments on Purple Women & Friends: Write a LetterLaura S. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11503359529542988850noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post-34844088702041143122007-06-16T14:40:00.000-04:002007-06-16T14:40:00.000-04:00For what it's worth, anyone who looks to edited, h...For what it's worth, anyone who looks to edited, heavily-airbrushed actresses/models in maganzines has self-worth issues far beyond what can be remedied by letter-writing, etc. Body image standards are not just a product of what we see on the newsstands..culture has a lot to do with it(African-American and Latino/Hispanic/Chicano women and girls have much lower eating disorder rates. Why? Both cultures emphasize appreciation for whole self instead of just narrow physical standards). <BR/><BR/>These maganzines are here to stay. Instead of making them "go away" vis a vis letter writing, etc., Women and girls need to be taught that these mags represent a false ideal, and to look at them and see them for what they are: entertainment, and not a yardstick for self-worth. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I'd like to see more energy focused on educating females that their bodies are more than just incubators for "future children." That's why it's so gratifying for me to see a lot of young girls and women participating in the arts and in sports..they are learning that their bodies can be an instrument for good health and accomplishment over and above reproduction. <BR/><BR/>I see those publications in the store, and I laugh. sometimes I even buy one...I don't take them seriously at all.<BR/><BR/>If a womann elects to grow old gracefully, right on. If she also elects to have cosmetic surgery, I say "go for it." If she does either to please herself and herself only, there's no arguing with that. <BR/><BR/>We become victims of cultural imperative only if we allow ourselves to. <BR/><BR/>-AlphaGirl(blogger i.d. still not working)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post-19234195160730235772007-06-12T09:24:00.000-04:002007-06-12T09:24:00.000-04:00The first comment was deleted as it was pure spam ...The first comment was deleted as it was pure spam - aaaaaaeeeeiiii!<BR/><BR/><B>LauraS</B> - I know you'd rather spend that extra money on golf fees.<BR/><BR/><B>EmeraldWednesday</B> - Yes, I agree about the other F-term. I almost take it for granted. Where did it go wrong? I never did take a women's studies class in college...not too late I suppose! What I think is interesting is that by my definition, I believe women who acknowledge their decision in being childfree are feminists, by definition, whether they think so or not. From my experience, that is how we are viewed as well, even if we are as close to the traditional SAHM model as we can get, sans the kids, of course. That would be me to a tee.<BR/><BR/>Oh and here's a hint for growing old gracefully, without Botox or tucks, just <I>smile</I>. It's a great way to camouflage those smiles lines. People will be too distracted wondering why you are grinning to notice anything else. Heck,they may even say "howdy".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post-81316001951850668882007-06-12T00:50:00.000-04:002007-06-12T00:50:00.000-04:00Great post, and a wonderful reminder for me.One th...Great post, and a wonderful reminder for me.<BR/>One thing I found interesting, though, is the sort of self-deprecating use of the word "feminist". It's gotten a bad rap/stereotype lately, but I think we need to reclaim it. There are many types of feminists, just as there are many shades of Purple. You can wear heels and lipstick, be in relationships with men, speak your opinions in a quiet voice, like pink... and still be a feminist. To me, the only requirement for considering oneself a feminist is considering oneself to be a man's equal, and as deserving the same respect.<BR/>It's time to stop considering "feminism" as "the other F-word".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post-15013728069253737772007-06-11T21:42:00.000-04:002007-06-11T21:42:00.000-04:00Purple women come in all shapes, sizes, and colors...Purple women come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Sometimes we look like our mothers, sometimes we look like Aunt Beatrice.<BR/>In order to choose to remain childfree, I had to abandon gender stereotypes and be the person I was meant to be, a happily me-me, cosmetic-surgery free (true for now), safe-in-my-skin me. I wish that for all.Laura S. Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11503359529542988850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16233914.post-46832467708970095242007-06-11T04:43:00.000-04:002007-06-11T04:43:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com