Teen Girls Eventually Become Women

Article first published as Teen Girls Eventually Become Women on Technorati.

Pick up any magazine dealing with popular culture and no doubt there will be a story judging the weight of a young female celebrity.  She is either starving herself, or has gained a few pounds which now classifies her as fat.  While experts go on talk shows and profess that women need to accept and love themselves, the media increases the pressure to be perfect.  If you look back at history, this is somewhat of a recent phenomenon.  Stars of the past did not have to be a size 2 to make it in their industry.  Most resembled the true shape of a woman particularly as they aged.  You can’t take these girls, put them on television or the silver screen when they are under the age of 18, and then expect them to look the same forever. 

Turn on the Disney Channel or Teen Nick and you will see a number of shows starring a very attractive teenage girl.  They are tall, thin, and are the type that can wear anything and still look good.  The cast members that are heavier, wear glasses, and don’t have long flowing tresses are often the “characters” on the show.  They are goofy, funny, clumsy, or nerdy.  The beautiful teen girl is the main star, and she is a media darling.   Quite honestly, I can’t tell one from the other.  The same is true of the bevy of young movie starlets. 

Flash forward about 5 years when these girls reach the age of 18 to 20 years old.  They have changed.  They are grown up and don’t have that lanky size 2 body anymore.  She now becomes a victim of an attack by the same system that built her up.  Suddenly she is not to admired for her talent, but is only noticed for what it might say on the scale.  Pictures are taken of them eating or drinking.  The paparazzi waits to snap a picture of them in a bathing suit.  The sad part  is that they are still a far cry from being overweight.  They have become women, and their bodies reflect the change.

Would Marilyn Monroe be a star today?  How about Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Taylor?  Would their womanly figures have kept them off the screen?   Would Christie Brinkley have become one of the most famous supermodels of all time, or would her athletic body kept her off those covers?  Would we have ever heard the magnificent voices of Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Joan Sutherland, Kate Smith, or Aretha Franklin?   When did thin become a requirement for talent, and why does it seem to apply only to women? 

Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato, and Gabourey Sidibe are stars that come to mind stating they are not going to obsess about their weight.  They continue to work, and provide an example to other young women that you are more than your dress size.  That society should not determine your value, and that everyone, regardless of their shape or size, has much to contribute to this world.  This is a lesson we must teach our girls.  It the responsibility of all women to lead the way.

Toddlers, Tiaras, and Fame Seeking Moms

I saw a report on GMA this morning featuring young children competing in pageants.  Within 2 minutes, I saw enough to make my skin crawl.  Here were girls, barely out of diapers, parading around in costumes and makeup that was absurd.  This has been a controversial issue for years, and yet it continues to grow in popularity.  TLC highlights it in a show titled “Toddlers and Tiaras”.   That alone doesn’t sound right.  It isn’t the pageants itself that bothers me.  It’s the extent to which they will dress up, make-up, and drill these young girls to prance, dance, and sing in a manner that is inappropriate and potentially harmful to their well-being.

The first thing most of the mothers of these girls say, is that the child enjoys doing the pageants.  That if they didn’t like it, they would quit.  I would like to know what kid likes sitting still for hours while having make-up applied.  How many love to have their hair teased up, pulled, rolled, and sprayed.  Then have to wait and not move so as to not messed up the whole ensemble.  They wear more than one outfit in these shows, so the whole procedure gets repeated. 

The mothers at these shows are delusional.  For some reason they want to believe that pageants will benefit their daughters.  The qualities of poise, speaking, and having a talent can all be experienced outside of this money generating world.  Did they ever notice that the only people attending the event are parents and relatives of the contestants?  There are no talent scouts looking for the next great child star in attendance.  There are no college admission reps searching for a future scholarship winner.  Most of these mothers want their child to become famous and will do so at any cost.

Tanning applications are being applied to delicate skin.   Hairpieces are being attached to create a look eerily similar to Marie Antoinette.   Fake teeth are inserted and costumes evoking a sexual image are being worn.  Are they really showcasing little girls?  It promotes a message that only a certain look will get you ahead in this world.

About 5 years ago, I was walking through the mall with my then 2- year- old.  A few very attractive young women were by a booth, and handing out cards for a “talent” agency.  They walked up to me, told me how adorable my child was, and asked if I would be interested in filling out a form.  Not being born yesterday I said no.  This is a scam to have pictures taken, which you pay for, with the promise that they will try to get your child a modeling or acting job.  A short time later, one stopped me coming out of a store, stated she knew I said no but………   I told her I didn’t want my child to do it.  Her response was, “Don’t you want her to be on T.V.?”   I said, “No, I don’t”.  Had I thought quicker I would have said I wanted her to become an engineer. 

The excitement of fame and fortune is the carrot on the stick for so many.  Why parents set this as a goal is puzzling.  If it is meant to be, it will come later in life after much hard work, practice, and education.  Let these little girls play and enjoy their childhood.  Let them make their own choices and become their own person.  You only get one chance to experience that.

http://news.yahoo.com/toddlers-tiaras-competitor-isabella-barrett-5-criticizes-rival-131808955–abc-news.html

BlogCatalog

Attendance Is Down at the Box Office

It was reported this week that movie attendance for 2011 dipped to a 16 year low.  Many speculate  re that people grew tired of sequels.  This may be true as  Part 2 and 3 of blockbusters seem to be made immediately after their success.  It used to be that sequels would come out a few years later, but that isn’t the case anymore.  There are many other factors that have affected the sale of tickets.   The main one is fact that we can now access films without the cost of sitting in the theatre. 

The cost of a movie ticket  has risen steadily over the years.  3 D movies command an even higher price.  You can try saving a few dollars by going  to a matinee, but that means you probably will have to catch the film at 10:30 in the morning.  Throw in a trip to the concession, and a family of four can easily spend an average of 50 plus dollars for a couple of hours of entertainment.   So, people stay home, make popcorn, and for a minimal price, watch a movie when it becomes available on DVD or streaming.

I remember when you had to catch a film at the cinema or you missed any chance of seeing it.  Matinees were around 2:00 in the afternoon.  Most towns had a theatre showing one movie at a time.  The screen was large, the floor was sticky, the previews were limited, and the audience enjoyed the experience.  Even the cost at night was manageable.  It was a way most people could afford a little entertainment.

Now you have to drive to a multiplex, showing 15 different movies all on screens much smaller than years past. On top of paying more, we have to endure about 15 minutes of commercials and previews.  Televisions have gotten larger.  The quality of HD and Blu-Ray has made watching at home better.  Some people have even installed home theatres.   Even if you miss a film while it is out, you know you can see it eventually. There are some old theatres and town halls that show movies after their major run for a fraction of the cost.  This also provides a fun and affordable way to see a movie. 

I enjoy going to the movies every now and then.  I appreciate a good drama, an indie film, a documentary and yes, even a comedy.  I sit through films that I probably wouldn’t see if it weren’t for my kids.  It still is an enjoyable way to spend some free time.  The darkness, the sound, the crunching of salty popcorn, the laughter, the tears, and the occasional applause, all add to the experience.  Movies will live on forever, however we choose to view them.  The choice is what still makes it possible.

news.yahoo.com/movie–crowds–dip–16–low-apathy-lingers-1539258…