Positive body image and society today.

I wear make up because I want to, and I feel like it makes me look nicer. I dislike my weight ect. sometimes but would never consider surgery to fix it! Dressing nicely, a little bit of makeup, and good accessories make me feel nicer than surgery could!

Personally, I think that everyone needs to lighten up about the whole thing! People will love you and be attracted to you no matter what you look like! If you want to lose/gain weight it should be for medical reasons, not cosmetic! less

I personally think as long as you go into it with a healthy attitude and a realistic expectation that having cosmetic procedures that make you feel better about yourself is perfectly ok. I have MANY friends who after having their children wanted to do a little something here or there that made them feel better about how they looked. Now, if the body images are more a mental state then no amount of surgery, makeup, new hairstyle etc. Is going to make a difference. less

I will be who I am, whatever anyone thinks about it. I don't wear makeup except on special occasions because it feels unatural and smothering. I try to keep in shape, but eat what I like to eat. I would never consider surgery. I agree with Chilipepper that shallow people obsess over looks and I do not give a flip what people think. I look just fine in my eyes and those who love me, thats all that counts to me.

I do think children should be brought up to know that beauty is only skin deep, and its whats inside that counts. As well, they should be complimented and loved so they will have a strong sense of self esteem. less

I personally think as long as you go into it with a healthy attitude and a realistic expectation that having cosmetic procedures that make you feel better about yourself is perfectly ok. I have MANY friends who after having their children wanted to do a little something here or there that made them feel better about how they looked. Now, if the body images are more a mental state then no amount of surgery, makeup, new hairstyle etc. Is going to make a difference. less

My family is notorious for being incredibly body negative. In fact, just the other day my mom and sister were discussing all the plastic surgery they would like to someday have to fix what they think is wrong with their bodies. My younger sister (she is twenty-two) stated that she has considered adopting children instead of having them because she doesn't want her body to get 'all messed up', but has now decided to just have lots of plastic surgery afterward instead.

What are your views of plastic surgery? How do you cultivate positive body image in a world so very focused on looks? Do you have children and if so what do you plan to teach them about their bodies and their 'beauty'? For instance, I had a child at work once ask me why I didn't always shave my legs as often as other women. I explained that shaving your legs is a personal choice and isn't necessary and that I can shave them when I want to, or not at all, and that both are okay.

I've had similar discussions with children about height, weight and other physical aspects of a person. I also had a conversation about this with my partner recently after reading an article about African American women discussing their hair with their children. One woman's daughter was upset because she felt like her hair wasn't 'pretty' because it wasn't treated to be straight like her mothers. Her mother ended up shaving her head and letting her hair grow in naturally to show her daughter that it was perfectly okay to have natural hair.

Anyway, I'd love some more opinions about body image in general (hair, makeup, shaving, etc.) and opinions about how this relates to your ideas about raising children. less