'Sports Illustrated' Covergirl Kate Upton Is Toxic to Our Daughters (PHOTO)
'Sports Illustrated' Covergirl Kate Upton Is Toxic to Our Daughters (PHOTO)
Sports Illustrated's 2012 Swimsuit edition comes off as pretty cocky in its introduction of its covergirl, 19-year-old model Kate Upton. The coverline blares, "KATE UPTON (ANY QUESTIONS?)"
as if to ask even one would be simply delusional. Because after all,
the almost nude photo of the not-a-girl, not-yet-a-woman should just
speak for itself, right?
That it does. But to many of us, it speaks volumes about what's completely and utterly wrong with the representation of women -- especially teen girls -- in the media today. Kate Upton might be welcome eye candy to many a drooling American male, but the impression she's bound to make on American teen girls is anything but positive.
Upton has said that being on the cover of the Swimsuit edition was her "dream," and she's gotten attention in the past for doing the "Dougie" dance on YouTube. But there has to be more to her than that, right ...?
More from The Stir: 'Sports Illustrated' Swimsuit Edition Is a Teen Boy's Dream & This Mom Is Cool With That
Sadly, the only details floating around about Upton today have to do with how comfortable she is in her bikini ("I felt sexy in it but confident") and how she's from Florida ... oh, and how that relates to her bikini ("In Florida, people walk around in their flip-flops, bikinis, and jean shorts, so I'm very comfortable in a bathing suit!"). Also, let's not forget about her workout regimen (with a personal trainer, gee, how original!), diet (she "watches what she eats" ... earth-shattering!), and the fact that she apparently "splurges on the occasional ice cream or plate of fries." She's also rumored to be in a relationship with NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez. WOW.
But hold up a sec. What are Upton's actual talents, accomplishments? Does she volunteer for charities, surf, go to college??
It's very likely that it's not Upton's fault that she's been portrayed this vapid, superficial, sex object way. Maybe it just comes with the territory of being a swimsuit cover model. But it makes my heart hurt to think of young women around the same age as Upton aspiring to be anything like the model's public image. Our daughters deserve to see women, especially their peers, in the spotlight doing more and being lauded for more than looking hot.
More from The Stir: Get Kate Upton's Look -- Even If You Aren't a Swimsuit Model
Upton says for her, this is "groundbreaking." But for teen girls who are looking at the model's story and thinking that's the key to success, power, recognition, fame, fortune, it's toxic. I sure as hell hope there's an antidote to Upton ... perhaps in the form of mothers and other loved ones praising young women for their intellectual pursuits. Or other teen role models out there known for more than feeling "sexy but confident" in a teeny bikini.
What kind of message do you think someone like Kate Upton is sending our teen girls? Do you approve or not so much?
Some women are beautiful, some are not Some are smart, some are not. No teenage girl is going to see that photo (or read her story even), and say, wow, I'm not going to college after all, I'll just be beautiful and wear a small bikini. Just not happening.
I am amused, however, at how she is referred to as a "girl" or a "teen" - yet some people on here are ready to throw 18 year olds under the bus as "she's an adult, she can get a job/move out/have kids." If I had to choose, I'd say Kate is more "together" than some 19 year old with a loser boyfriend/husband and a kid or two.
I totally agree with the article-there are beautiful & sexy women who just so happen to be smart, generous, well-rounded women at the same time. Is it wrong to have higher standards for our society's "sex symbols"?
I wish SI & other media sources could put a little more time into finding The Total Package for their cover stories-for both our teenage daughters AND sons
It's my job as a parent to instill values and confidence in my daughter. It's my job to make sure my daughter looks beyond the superficial media attention of celebrities and give examples of how they are real people who do things other than look pretty, both the good and the bad. It's my job to make sure she understands you can't judge a book by its cover and to look at what's inside a person. If a girl is basing everything she is on outward appearances, then her parents didn't do a very good job.
As for Kate Upton, I look at her and see an attractive, healthy individual who is confident with herself. Why would I bash that?
I didn't read the whole thing but really this is nothing new. No one cares if a model is educated or compassionate. Sad but true. She is on the cover to be a sex symbol not a role model.
We as parent's need to teach our girls that this isn't the way the real world works. The magazine companies are in it for a profit nothing more.
I agree.
Quoting Cindy18:I didn't read the whole thing but really this is nothing new. No one cares if a model is educated or compassionate. Sad but true. She is on the cover to be a sex symbol not a role model.
We as parent's need to teach our girls that this isn't the way the real world works. The magazine companies are in it for a profit nothing more.
The world didn't end when Playboy started publishing, nor did it end when Pamela Anderson was jiggling around on the lifeguard show and it isn't going to end with this chippie. (Besides, all over the internet are very explicit photos of girls that make this chick look like roadkill. Your kids know all about them already.)
I agree
Quoting Not_A_Native:Some women are beautiful, some are not Some are smart, some are not. No teenage girl is going to see that photo (or read her story even), and say, wow, I'm not going to college after all, I'll just be beautiful and wear a small bikini. Just not happening.
I am amused, however, at how she is referred to as a "girl" or a "teen" - yet some people on here are ready to throw 18 year olds under the bus as "she's an adult, she can get a job/move out/have kids." If I had to choose, I'd say Kate is more "together" than some 19 year old with a loser boyfriend/husband and a kid or two.
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Quoting Cindy18:I didn't read the whole thing but really this is nothing new. No one cares if a model is educated or compassionate. Sad but true. She is on the cover to be a sex symbol not a role model.
We as parent's need to teach our girls that this isn't the way the real world works. The magazine companies are in it for a profit nothing more.
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I'm ready to pull the earbuds out of his ears and put them somewhere less comfortable.
- Cafe MichelleP
on Feb. 15, 2012 at 10:28 AM