I don't know about you but I am certainly guilty of participating in the practice of "Wonder if she/he's had work done?". I had the conversation with the husband of a friend who looks so darn good in photos I was sure she'd gone under the knife. He laughed and assured me she hasn't. But I started the dialog. It's part of our world of "looking good is better than feeling good." I should know. I'm from L.A.
Women are too often treated as objects, armpieces, decoration, at-your-service. We may be asked to do things in exchange for climbing the ladder. We may think it's okay to exchange self-esteem for security. But we almost always have a say. We have the right, the obligation to say "No" if we, in fact, don't like what we're asked to do. Some women/girls have no say whatsoever. They are slaves, chattel, second or third class citizens. They are seen and not heard. Luckily, this is not the norm in America though I know it can happen. Polygamous society anyone?
We all scrutinize ourselves and one another too much. We're all critical. I am probably more focused on my looks now they are changing, aging & losing their luster than at any other point in my life. It's exhausting.
What are your thoughts? Have women perpetrated an age-old problem? Is it thrust upon us by the male hierarchy, still in charge? The media? Advertising? What can we do to change the dialog?
