Healthy Living Buzz
>> Healthy Living Buzz
Why Is 'Glamour' Applauded for Having One Real Woman When CafeMom Has So Many?
August 25, 2009 at 11:00 AM by Cafe Kim - Comments (7)
Have you seen the photo that everyone is talking about? Glamour's nude, plus-size model (click link to see it) who's shown with a bit of a belly and slightly bigger thighs than we're used to seeing in magazine, all the while looking radiant, gorgeous, confident, and most important, happy.
Glamour is being applauded for actually showing a real woman... But I'm thinking, What the heck took them so long? And what does the term "real woman" even mean?
Don't get me wrong: I'm thrilled that Glamour chose to feature a model whose body type isn't exactly what we typically see between the pages of a fashion magazine. And I'm even more thrilled that it accompanied the photo with stories about body acceptance and plus-size swimwear.
But honestly? What's the big deal?
Here on CafeMom we get to see photos of and read stories about real women all day long. And here the term "real woman" means so much more than size (because, technically, real women come in all shapes and sizes). Rather, the women on CafeMom are "real" because we're classy, confident, beautiful, and have integrity. We love our kids and our families and would do anything for them. And, yes, we struggle with our imperfections, but we are open about it, honest when we fall short, and just try to take one day at at time. To me, that's a "real woman."
What do you think? Is the term "real woman" only about size? Or is it so much more than that?
FILED UNDER: body image, in the news, self esteem
Comments:
I think it's imporant to note what Kim said, real women come in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc. And honestly even the models are real women in real life. It's often the magazines that photoshop photos to achieve some sort of "perfection."
Yeah I think its a bit unfair to imply models, or women who are naturally small are not "real". I am just happy they are featuring a spectrum of sizes.
That's so silly to me. How is that woman even plus sized?
I am 5'2, 110 lbs and my stomach looks EXACTLY like that woman's. It's a bag empty bag of skin from losing weight and having a c-section. So I guess I would be "plus sized" too even though I'm a size 2. LOL.
And yeah the "real woman" thing annoys the crap out of me. If you have a bajingo, you're a real woman as far as I'm concerned.
bajingo? too funny!
her stomach does NOT look normal wtf?
I'm a size 3X. Is that relevant in any way other than if you're planning on buying me a really cute sweater for my birthday? Not really. Does it define my "realness"? Nope. Sometimes it defines parts of my reality, but the parts of my reality that are governed by my size are few and far between. Frankly, it's the least of my REAL problems.
As much as I like seeing a variety of body types represented, I think the term "real woman" is offensive. If I lose a hundred pounds or so, do I cease being real? Is my reality lodged in my fat cells????
I'm no less OR MORE valid than a woman who's 6' and a size 1. I'm neither more nore less equal than a thin or average sized woman.
Want to leave a comment and join the discussion?
Sign up for CafeMom and become a member. As a member you'll be able to leave comments, join groups, write journals, share photos, and more. Already a member? Click here to log in.
Or, leave a guest comment (guest comments are moderated and won't appear immediately)
Around CafeMom
Stay in touch with CafeMom wherever you are
Healthy Living Buzz on your Homepage
- Daily Buzz -- Healthy Living
- by CafeMom
- Keep track of the latest posts from your favorite CafeMom Daily Buzz blogger. This widget will automatically pull in the most recent blog posts so you can see them right on your homepage.
I am a fan of the "real woman" term. Finally, the implication that all the supermodels they have shoved down our throats for the last 50 years are "fake woman" and the images we are supposed to aspire to are close to impossible to obtain. Real woman are my friends, my mentors, my family - some of the most beautiful women in the world.
MomIWant Aug. 25, 2009 at 12:21 PM