In this week’s Wednesday 5: A look at the “perfect” (quotation marks intentional) woman’s body over the past 100 years; The Onion.com posits, in a parody, the dismay of men pressured to accept realistic standards of female beauty; a video explores what happens when men realize they are harassing their own mothers on the street; and a mom explores why “good moms” get hated on.
1.
The “Perfect” Woman’s Body Over the Past 100 Years
Image via Greatist.com
Standards of beauty and the “perfect” body are constantly shifting. We are used to that—sick of it, really. What’s fascinating to see is how those standards have evolved over the last 100 years. The folks at Greatist did just that. From the Gibson Girl, whose corsets allowed for “a round soft body gathered together in a small waist” to the Hourglass figure, where “hips and booty round out women’s figures,” this journey through time will surely reinforce one thing: Love your body, because one day it’s in, and the other it’s out.
Read more at: “See How Much the “Perfect” Female Body Has Changed in 100 Years (It’s Crazy!)” at Greatist
2.
Increasing Number of Men Pressured to Accept Realistic Standards of Female Beauty
Speaking of standards of beauty, the headline says it all. However, it’s a headline from TheOnion.com—so it’s not real, just hilarious.
“For most men, it’s very discouraging. Instead of seeing only rail-thin models, they’re now exposed to accurate representations of women whose proportions mimic those of actual human females.”
Read the hilarious (but on-point) post at TheOnion.com
3.
When Street Harassers Realize They Are Harassing Their Mothers
What happens when men realize the women they’re catcalling are actually their mothers? Shock and shame and denial, as is made clear in a new PSA about street harassment in Lima, Peru, where 7 out of 10 women are harassed on the streets. What we found most compelling is that, when the men are found out, the mothers say to their sons, “I didn’t raise you to harass women.”
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4.
Why Do People Hate Good Moms?
Being a “good mom,” according to Blogher writer playdatesonfridays, means doing “something fun for my kids . . . volunteering too much at my kids’ school, or hosting too nice of parties or making a Pinterest-inspired handmade soccer cookie (one time).” And by “hate” she refers to the fact that “women live a contradictory existence. We say, “Yes, you can do it, I am behind you!” But what we really mean is, “Yes, go do it, but don’t be too good at it as I don’t want to feel bad about myself.”
This is an important perspective from a mother who is encouraging mothers to do their best and applaud each other when they do.
Read more at: “Why Do People Hate Good Moms?” at Blogher
A “historian’s dream” or a “diplomat’s nightmare?” Welcome to the new reality of the modern information age.
A quick roundup of thoughts and opinions on the shoot-out in Arizona this weekend.
Join the conversation
I felt fortunate to be a stay at home mom. however I am now encouraging my daughter in laws to “not give it all up”. When you become an empty nester it is indeed a difficult time when you realize that you have not done anything for yourself in 20 years!! Raising children to be adults of good character is absolutely the toughest job, but perhaps it should not be the thing that defines you.
@ Dr. Pat: Thanks, and very well said!
Since I now have adult sons who have married women who work and manage homes and children, posts like this remind me of yet another reason I chose to have a career and children. It isn’t so hard to do creative play dates, be class mom and work. Just make it memorable and it doesn’t have to be every day. I mentor young women who are working and parenting and tell them to avoid the toxic over-achieving Moms, to remember that when that perfect Mom has an empty nest and our do it all Mom still has a career, it will have been well worth it. “Why Do People Hate Good Moms?” is a short sighted post. The definition of a good mom is made when the children are grown, have good character, are able to support themselves, able to have a loving partnership with someone and perhaps choose to become imperfect parents themselves.