Hermenuetics

Comments

I have been thinking about this for a while now, actually, even though I'm a guy. I have always been struck by Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty." In its commercials, Dove has made a point to present the everywoman - the woman with curves, or smaller breasts, or a pooch, etc. But this "everywoman" is still very beautiful! She is aesthetically very pleasing, with clear skin, silky hair, symmetrical facial features and proportionate body lines. I agree with Laura: In one way, it is sort of a step in the right direction, but, if possible, also a simultaneous step back.

Posted By: Drew | April 27, 2009 10:50 AM

I'm conflicted in terms of whether, as Christians, it's okay to revere the type of hyperreal beauty depicted in the media (print, film, blogosphere). Maybe it depends on a woman's perspective? For example, if she labels the images as art rather than reality, then perhaps it's okay for her to celebrate the artistry of the cosmetologist, photographer, stylist, lighting designer and Photoshop-er. At the same time, however, I think it takes a lot of divine assistance for her to see these images as art and only art. In other words, it's a slippery slope. Even though she may intellectually deem them "art," that probably won't prevent her from lusting after this intellectually deemed un- or hyperreal standard. I can't help but see parallels between this issue and pornography. As men, we can tell ourselves that we're simply appreciating a woman because she's beautiful - cut and dry. But it's incredibly difficult to maintain that separation, to start down that road without it leading somewhere else.

Posted By: Drew | April 27, 2009 11:32 AM

Full disclosure: I'm a man. But this is an issue I have thought about for a long time and talked through often with my wife.

Laura wrote: "So, now that we have 'real' models to compare ourselves too ... might this standard of beauty be just as harmful as its hyper-stylized counterpart."

I think that sentence is a microcosm of why this post, and many women, seem to miss the point ovn this issue. It's not beauty that is harmful. The world would not be a better place if there were no more attractive women in it, whether or not they are touched up in magazine photos.

What is dangerous and destructive is the act of comparison.

The question is not, "How do we lower the standard of beauty to a point where everyone is comfortable." That simply cannot be done. If magazines and billboards did not exist, there would still be attractive women walking around the office, or church, or on TV.

The question should be, "How do we convince women that they do not need to compare themselves to other women?"

So, maybe we need to spend a little less time trying to "get people to understand that images you see on magazine covers are not images of actual human beings." And maybe we should spend our time instead trying to help people understand that all human beings have been hand-crafted by a loving Father.

Posted By: Sam O'Neal | April 27, 2009 4:35 PM

Comparison isn't limited to beauty--in Elle or elsewhere. It applies to every aspect of life. For instance, I don't know why Her-meneutics has to display the work of such articulate women who post such insightful commentary.

Don't you know how you make the rest of us normal people feel, who don't have your verbal gifts? I can't compete with your writing--and on your national platform.

To quote: "might this standard of (literary) beauty be just as harmful?" By that line of thinking, you should stop publishing such beautiful argumentation. If I'm consistent with your thinking, my envy of your writing is just as legitimate as your jealousy of the magazine's models.

Beauty is everywhere--photographs and in written posts. You can either resent it, or admire it.

Posted By: Jarrami | April 27, 2009 4:40 PM

So glad they're not showing the unshaved legs and pits of those natural French beauties.

Posted By: Pat | April 27, 2009 4:45 PM

I think Jarrami makes a good point: "Beauty is everywhere...You can either resent it, or admire it."

But how do we decide when to resent it and when to admire it? I think it has to do with the trajectory of that beauty - what is it pointing toward? Oneself, or the Lord?

Posted By: Anonymous | April 27, 2009 9:36 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. For me, this is one of those issues that I continue to revisit every day, and my ideas are constantly sharpened by dialogue like this.

Sam, I thank you for pointing out the problem of comparison. I didn't deal with it in this post as fully as I probably could and should have. It IS a big problem, and I do believe that we should continue to find security in Christ. But at the same time, we (or at least I) do have those insecurities, and that is where my mind goes when I see images like this or enter into conversations like this. It's not ideal, but it's a reality for many, if not all, women I know. In this post I wanted to address that reality, rather than simply preach the ideal. But as we live and deal in the reality, it is my hope that each woman (and man!) pursues the freedom that is found in Christ!

Posted By: Laura Leonard | April 28, 2009 10:35 AM

Um, Drew? You do get that there's no such thing as a permanent, objective standard of "attractive", right? I know guys like to think everything can be measured with a ruler, but a quick glance at history will prove that "attractive" has a lot more to do with economics and politics that with actual beauty.

Sincerely,
A woman who's currently "ugly" even though you can find me in any museum with a pre-1850 section.

Posted By: Kell | May 11, 2009 3:12 PM

I am a teacher that has a couple of girls in my class that seem to consider their fashion magazines as their Bible. They will bring this trash to my clas and read them while I am teaching. I call this trash because that's it what it is Pure and Simple and also that's is where their magazines go after I confiscate, straight to Old File 13.

I have gotten the mothers' approval to destroy their daughters magazines when taken.

Just today, I had to toss the September issue of Galmour magazine with Jennifer Lopez on the cover and the October 2010 Latina magazine with Selena Gomez on the cover which many tweeners admire.

I pulled out my shredder and fed the magazines through and tossed the scraps away.

I don't approve of these magazines at all, They are vulgar and studies show that 20 minutes or so after reading a fashion magazine girls and Young Women tend to have lower self esteem cause they feel that they have to measure up to magazines (air Brushed or not)models.
On Ehow. com there is post re. How to battle Low self esteem and change your self perceptions.

Sincerely Ms. Leticia Quezada

with God Everything is Possible

Posted By: Leticia Quezada | September 16, 2010 11:39 PM