Anorexic Mannequins?

Faith_2

IvanOpinion, Firstly, I think the point you are missing is: it is not that youngsters have no personality. It is that they want to conform. They want to be like their friends. They don't want to be the odd one out. They don't want to be ostracised and bullied. Your comments make me wonder whether you have recent experience of teenagers? It is amazingly difficult to be a young person nowadays.

Secondly, I don't see what the problem is with pregnant women showing off their belly. Is it shameful to be pregnant? Are we going back to the dark ages? Should pregnant women stay at home for the whole 40 weeks of their pregnancy?

Thirdly, I wouldn't be offended by your beer belly. I just wouldn't look at it. And actually it has to be noted that men are very likely to rip of their tops and replaced their trousers with shorts - often middle aged men! I wouldn't presume to stop them from doing so!

I know, I mentioned mothers myself, but many mothers are manipulated by the same type of influence as their daughters/ sons. Magazines are full of stupid diets that the latest hot celebrity (showing off their skinny figure) is supposed to be on. As a woman particularly you are constantly bombarded with the images of what you should be: young, skinny, tanned, not a body hair in sight, flawless skin, successful wife and mother, successful at work. So is it any wonder that many teenagers cannot cope?

It seems to me that in spite of your protests you are judging people by the way they look. All those comments you made about different people and their appearances! They are quite shocking really. And no, I am not saying it for the purpose of this discussion.

Any day of the week you may go to your local high street and see sight you don't want to see. So what? Who's to decide what others are to wear or what hairstyle they may or may not have? What next? force people into plastic surgery so their face and body fit?

scheming_gypsy

Faith wrote:

Secondly, I don't see what the problem is with pregnant women showing off their belly. Is it shameful to be pregnant? Are we going back to the dark ages? Should pregnant women stay at home for the whole 40 weeks of their pregnancy?

what's the difference between a fat belly with a baby in it or a fat belly with pies, kebabs and curry in it?
just because somebody is pregnant it doesn't mean it's attractive to see a belly hanging out. You can still cover up and look nice when pregnant.

IvanOpinion

Faith wrote:

IvanOpinion, Firstly, I think the point you are missing is: it is not that youngsters have no personality. It is that they want to conform. They want to be like their friends. They don't want to be the odd one out. They don't want to be ostracised and bullied. Your comments make me wonder whether you have recent experience of teenagers? It is amazingly difficult to be a young person nowadays.

Definitely not ... It is much EASIER being a young person today .. all you have to do is whinge at mummy and daddy who will buy you whatever you want because they feel guilty that they have no time for you because they need to have two jobs to support their 'now' lifestyle. They are so shallow that unless they are supporting the latest chav logos on (so called) 'designer' goods that are often made using forced/slave labour and in some cases forced child labour that THEY are the ones judging each other ... not me. This constant sheep like adoption of some fad that a celebrity is going through is pathetic and is stifling to the childs individuality.

Secondly, I don't see what the problem is with pregnant women showing off their belly. Is it shameful to be pregnant? Are we going back to the dark ages? Should pregnant women stay at home for the whole 40 weeks of their pregnancy?

Thirdly, I wouldn't be offended by your beer belly. I just wouldn't look at it. And actually it has to be noted that men are very likely to rip of their tops and replaced their trousers with shorts - often middle aged men! I wouldn't presume to stop them from doing so!

Stay at home during pregnancy? should stay in the kitchen were they belong (just locating flame proof thong). No, but I do not want to see some fat hairy belly hanging out over the top of trousers that are obviously too tight and cropped tops that ride up over it with wear. Again it was some celebrity trying to boost their Z-rating back up the charts that started this craze and the easily brain washed all fall in line as usual. For years woman used to complain about men having their beer belly hanging out or builders bum but now they want to do it ... and it is no prettier.

It seems to me that in spite of your protests you are judging people by the way they look. All those comments you made about different people and their appearances! They are quite shocking really. And no, I am not saying it for the purpose of this discussion.

I am not making any judgement call on them except that they need to look in the mirror .. and when you look try to be honest, a 'yes' person is not a true friend. Having said that in a way I hope some people don't look in the mirror otherwise I will lose a rich source of amusement as Young people try to be individuals only to actually conform to exactly what the magazines have thold them they should.

Any day of the week you may go to your local high street and see sight you don't want to see. So what? Who's to decide what others are to wear or what hairstyle they may or may not have? What next? force people into plastic surgery so their face and body fit?

I am laughing as I read this because many of your comments on this remind me of my mother (strangely enough not at me) ... I think I have said it before, maybe we are all not as individual as we like to think we are ... after all we share a majority of our genetic material with a banana its just that some people appear to have a much bigger majority than others

Ivan

PS: Back to GIllian McKieth ... I just heard an article in a magazine today that she is even younger than I thought she was ... based on her looks I guessed that she was in her mid to late 50's, but thought that in reality she would be in her 40's it was just her lifestyle that made her look old, according to the magazine she is only 39.

aeuerby

My daughter is 8 years old. She is very tall for her age (her feet are bigger than my size 5's ) She is a little on the chubby size but I am hoping that when she hit's puberty (which may not be too far off :eek:) she will do what most of the girls in the family have done. That is shoot up and go stick thin (although hopefully not too thin.)

She isn't one for "exercise" as such although I try and take her swimming once a week. She walks to school every day. Trying to get clothes for her is an aboslute nightmare. All childrens clothes sorry I mean minny adult clothes are too tight on her. The shoes that fit her are all the one's with thick chunky heels on meant for teenagers (she also has very wide feet and always has done so buying shoes from Asda is not an option as they are all too narrow) I do my best to get clothes that fit her and are comfortable, but even if she wanted to follow the "fashion" she couldn't because manufacturers make all minny adult clothes for skinny bints.

I was recently informed by my daughter's teacher that she (my daughter not the teacher) is overwight. She told me that I should take her to the doctor and get her on a diet and tell her to exercise more. I was gobsmacked.:mad: She is only 8. Does the term "puppy fat" not exist anymore? If teachers are coming out with this rubbish what hope is there?

My daughter eats very healthily - she loves her fruit and veg, she very very rarely eats sweets but does enjoy a chocolate biscuit in her lunch box.

I recently saw a 12 year old girl dressed like she was 18 (albeit a very short 18 :D:D) Very short skirt, thigh length high heeled boots, short top etc. I will not allow my children to go out dressed like that (good grief I sould like my Dad now :rolleyes:) but I am ready for the battles ahead with them.:D

Fran

Faith wrote:

IvanOpinion, Firstly, I think the point you are missing is: it is not that youngsters have no personality. It is that they want to conform. They want to be like their friends. They don't want to be the odd one out. They don't want to be ostracised and bullied. Your comments make me wonder whether you have recent experience of teenagers? It is amazingly difficult to be a young person nowadays.

It's nothing new to be concerned about figures and appearance as a young person. I remember clearly looking at fellow classmates at school and wanting to be like the slimmer ones and wanting golden blonde hair and blue eyes. Later though I came to the conclusion that I preferred my real hair and eye colours. Even though my logical side said and still says that I'm ok I still don't like my shape and hate my legs. Luckily it usually doesn't bother me though. It's clearly not healthy to be too thin or too fat and as far as kids are concerned it's definitely down to their parents as the food/money providers. There is a family near me and the grandmother & mother are overweight and so is the son. Him and overweight friend were outside yesterday and at age about 12 with huge tummies it was very sad to see. Son & mother are heading the same way as grandmother who struggles to walk.

I think it is easier to look at an anorexic or too thin person as being unwell, but not the same with overweight people. They still have a problem though as they have become obssessed with eating.

Smiley_Mum

When I was in the local park today there was a heavily pregnant woman, who was wearing a cropped top and shorts and was sunning herself with her daughter, her outfit suited her and she was obviously chuffed to be pregnant and sunning her bump in the sunshine. Good on her.

Fran, I remember when I was in school seeing the "in crowd" of girls, all wearing the same clothes, makeup, liking the same groups etc etc and I just thought they were a general pain in the butt and boring. I was picked on big time because I didn't conform and wear the same clothes as everyone else, who gives a toss. I don't follow the crowd, I never conform, always do the opposite of what people expect, just me, rebellious perhaps, I dont know but I've never wanted to be like everyone else and I paid the price for it by being picked on and bullied in school but I don't care. It's made me who I am today. Besides now, 20 years after leaving school, I go for comfort first, fashion second most days.

Faith_2

IvanOpinion wrote:

Definitely not ... It is much EASIER being a young person today .. all you have to do is whinge at mummy and daddy who will buy you whatever you want because they feel guilty that they have no time for you because they need to have two jobs to support their 'now' lifestyle. They are so shallow that unless they are supporting the latest chav logos on (so called) 'designer' goods that are often made using forced/slave labour and in some cases forced child labour that THEY are the ones judging each other ... not me. This constant sheep like adoption of some fad that a celebrity is going through is pathetic and is stifling to the childs individuality.

Stay at home during pregnancy? should stay in the kitchen were they belong (just locating flame proof thong). No, but I do not want to see some fat hairy belly hanging out over the top of trousers that are obviously too tight and cropped tops that ride up over it with wear. Again it was some celebrity trying to boost their Z-rating back up the charts that started this craze and the easily brain washed all fall in line as usual. For years woman used to complain about men having their beer belly hanging out or builders bum but now they want to do it ... and it is no prettier.

I am not making any judgement call on them except that they need to look in the mirror .. and when you look try to be honest, a 'yes' person is not a true friend. Having said that in a way I hope some people don't look in the mirror otherwise I will lose a rich source of amusement as Young people try to be individuals only to actually conform to exactly what the magazines have thold them they should.

I am laughing as I read this because many of your comments on this remind me of my mother (strangely enough not at me) ... I think I have said it before, maybe we are all not as individual as we like to think we are ... after all we share a majority of our genetic material with a banana its just that some people appear to have a much bigger majority than others

Ivan

PS: Back to GIllian McKieth ... I just heard an article in a magazine today that she is even younger than I thought she was ... based on her looks I guessed that she was in her mid to late 50's, but thought that in reality she would be in her 40's it was just her lifestyle that made her look old, according to the magazine she is only 39.

Flame proof thongs?? Don't you mean Y fronts??

Nobody's ever compared me to their mother - Goodness, I must be getting old!!!! Unless you are much younger than I think!!

As for Gillian McKieth, if she is only 39 - she is not a good advert for her diet is she?