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What's Good for the Goose

I had a post a while back on Barbie's 50th birthday that included a translation of the doll's size over to an average-height female body. Barbie, in real life, would measure 36-15-33, an unrealistic size that would require the removal of a bone and would have too low a percentage of fat to allow for menstruation and pregnancy.

But guess what? Guys are being hit with unrealistic standards, too. Rhodes reports in Beauty Bias that "GI Joe has grown increasingly muscular, and current proportions, translated in a man of normal height, would work out to a 55-inch chest, 27-inch biceps, and a 29-inch waist."

Guys, you'd better get to the gym. Like, yesterday.

What I'm Reading Now

From Library Journal:

In Christianity, the Eucharist emphasizes the relationship between Jesus' body and humanity, so it would seem logical that Christians would honor their own flesh and blood. Not so, says Paulsell, an ordained pastor currently serving as visiting lecturer on ministry at Harvard Divinity School. Her compelling book argues that while it is quite possible to regard highly the human physique, various societal and cultural conceptions go against the belief that human beings are "fearfully and wonderfully made" in the image of God. Paulsell writes about bathing and clothing the body, the necessity of exercise and rest, sexuality, and physical debilitations with their all-too-often negative connotations. The section on food is particularly fitting, since modern society places so much emphasis on physical perfection often with devastating consequences. Through this extremely well-written book, both lay readers and clergy will develop an appreciation of the body.

A Great Birthday Card

I know that a lot of people really like sentimental cards, but I've always been partial to the funny ones, myself. There's just nothing better than a big belly laugh.

Well, the other day I got one of the best birthday cards ever. (I know--my birthday is in April, but it's a long story.)

Outside of Card:

"Happy 29th Birthday . . ."

Inside of Card:

" . . . from your 110 pound friend!"

I know that I just wrote posts about both ageism and body image, but you've gotta admit. That's a great card.

The Trouble with Twilight--Part II: Body Image

Thanks a lot, Stephenie Meyer. Not only do teenage girls feel they have to struggle for a look that only about 5% or less of the population can actually achieve, now the ideal is set by immortals.

Over and over Meyer describes the Cullens family as runway models, perfect, beautiful, dazzling, sculpted. And poor Bella? Why she's simply an average human who doesn't deserve to be with such perfection. How could gorgeous, hunky Edward ever love someone so beneath him?

I guess Dove has wasted its money on their Real Beauty campaign. And Meyer didn't even give the guys a break on this one. How can any regular boy like Mike Newton stand a chance against Edward's "god-like" beauty or Jacob's brawny, oversized masculinity?

To be continued . . .

Sorry, Barbie

I'm not quite sure how it slipped by me, but earlier this year on March 9 Barbie turned 50. Wow!

Now, I had my share of Barbies. My cousin and I spent untold hours dressing them up, driving them around in that pink car, and having them hold imaginary conversations with Ken. Occasionally, they even kissed him. Don't tell Mom.

And for all you grown-up little girls out there who still secretly feel bad that you didn't grow up to look like Barbie, this should make you feel better:

Real Women vs. Barbie
Real Women Average woman's heigh is 5'4" Their weight is approx. 140 lbs. They wear a size 14 dress Their bust is between 36" and 37" (B cup) Their waist is between 30" and 34" Their hips average between 40" and 42" Their shoe size is estimated to be between 8.5 and 9.5		Barbie (as a human) Barbie's height would be 7'2" Her weight would be 101 lbs. She would wear a size 4 dress Her bust would be 39" (FF cup) Her waist would be 19" (same as her head) Her hips would be 33" Her shoe size would be a 5 0

Barbie's body would have room for only half of a liver and only a few inches of intestines, as opposed to the usual 26 feet. The result: chronic diarrhea and death from malabsorption & malnutrition. Barbie's neck is twice as long as the average human's which would make it impossible to hold up her head. Barbie's waist is the same circumference as her head. Barbie's legs are 50% longer than her arms, whereas the average woman's legs are only 20% longer than her arms. To look like a barbie proportionally, a healthy woman would need to add 61 cm to her height, subtract 15 cm from her waist, add 13 cm to her chest, and 8 to her neck length. If a woman had the same measurements as Barbie, she would not have enough body fat to menstruate (and obviously to have children). There are 3 billion women on the planet who don't look like Barbie; only 8 women come close. Barbie would be unable to walk upright (she would need to walk on all 4's): her feet are so proportionately small that her chest would pull her perpetually forward onto her toes. Now, don't you feel better?