Just read this article in Guardian about how female Olympic athletes are giving women a new generation of strong role models. Rightly said.
Because in sports, there is no photoshop to misuse and play on women's identities. In sports, it is all blood, sweat and guts. Nothing feminine about it huh? How many times as a woman have you looked at a fashion magazine and wish you had that perfect set of legs. I understand women working in the entertainment and modeling industry go under the knife or agree to malpractices like Photoshop (in fact, its quite the norm now than a malpractice). They are under immense pressure to survive in a cut-throat industry like that and have to cinch those endorsements. So the question of ethics don't mean a shit for them. Unfortunately, women tend to idolize them - which is a problem we got to solve.
In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how fairness creams promote a subtle kind of racism against dark women. This is especially true in nations like India. And this photoshopping business is another unnecessary evil. A deeper problem than the fairness cream branding. Something, I confess, has also affected my psyche. In fact, the other day, I unintentionally looked at a glossy magazine cover and told my boyfriend "Wow she looks amazing. Really tall and great abs". And then pat came the reply from him - "Thats photoshopped and that too a bad one". On a closer look, the legs had been flipped, by mistake. We had a good laugh.
But frankly, imagine what that does to a naive teenager? If I, being an adult and well-aware of such practices, can fall for this why wouldn't a 16 year old fall for the same? In fact, as a teenager, it troubled me when people branded my lack of grooming sense and different gait as tomboyish. I used quite a few swear words then (blame the cable TV invasion and subsequent influx of hollywood movies;)), in my everyday language, and even that was "tomboyish". And even that was not lady-like, I was told. I was unapologetic, of course. It however did throw me off-guard. It made me wonder if I was really unfeminine and if all those worldly qualities are required of me as a woman?
To my naysayers, I pretty much rock it when I have to buy clothes and accessories (I pick the good ones really fast) but I really don't like spending on them and neither do I take too much time to dress up because I am always found in a maximum of 2 faded jeans and old t-shirts. But that's just me. And if you are a woman who loves her shopping and high heels, more power to you. Each one is different. So don't try to brand someone based on what the fashion or movie industry dictates.
There are several myths around women and their bodies. For example, one of the most fielded questions in a gym is - "Do weights make me bulky and will I start looking manly?". No and no. That's the most insane myth that floats around. I can frankly tell you that sort of thinking comes from parents. My own parents advised me against martial arts when I had a fascination for them in my childhood. "No they will make you unfeminine", they told me. What is this shit with "unfeminine" anyway?
Weight training only tones you and gives you a great definition and ups your metabolism if you are a woman, unlike in men where they bulk up on muscles. I have known men who did half the weight training as me and their muscles look inflated while mine remain puny, but strong.
Recently I went to one of those fancy clinics in the city where they give you all sorts of "treatments". I was there to find out about laser hair removal. Big mistake. The folks there started explaining the procedure and venture into this sort of conversation - "While you are here, why don't you get your hair fixed too? And also you can consider our skin tightening treatments...".
I DID NOT like where that was going. If anything they needed to fix their heads. One of them went on to say "We have weight loss programs too. You are fair so you wouldn't need those skin lightening treatment" and giggled. What I was supposed to feel proud about that? (Both the consultants were women btw, so ashamed. I feel sorry for their kids). Needless to say I stormed out and swore never to go near such clinics. They got hold of my number and kept stalking me over phone until I gave them a piece of my mind. On second thoughts, I should have just delivered that dragon kick on their faces I learnt at my kickboxing class.
I mean why should the rules of the trade be different for women anyway? Why can't a woman do what she likes to do? Why do parents, boyfriends, husbands, brothers, neighbors and who ever have that authority to tell you what you should look like or how you should present yourself outside?
Can we stop this disease of a culture?
Yes, if you are a woman and have questions you have Internet at your disposal. Research and bust those myths. And if you love to eat, eat for god's sake - this is not a lifetime weight loss program. And if you love to make mud pies, make them. Because you know what? That guy who looks macho and all brawny in your class, he probably enjoys chick flicks and loves to knit sweaters.
Don't judge. Become your own idol.
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