WOMEN’S NATURAL BEAUTY AND HEALTH

Woman; a word used to identify a female human. There are different types of women in the world, based on their race, age, class etc. These are only few distinctions as personality, background and environmental factors also distinguish one woman from another.  Women often experience difficulties where they compare themselves based on the myths that exist in the western world. There is this standard of beauty that women often strive to attain, but the issue lies in the methods they go through to achieve them. The problem is that women are scared of what is behind the mask they put on. They have no confidence that their natural beauty is enough to impress the world. Their biggest fear is someone seeing them in the morning and most cannot leave their homes without a makeup bag. The reason for their fear is because of the media’s portrayal of what true beauty is.

SO WHAT? This shows how women have come to have a belief in some specific ideas about beauty myths. Most of these ideas may include what the ideal weight of a woman should be, as well as the height, hair color and texture she should have. Women end up trying to change their appearance and end up using methods that could be detrimental to their health such as using corsets as a way of cinching their waist. People who do this are not being judged but just asked to understand their worth without all these methods as their health may be affected by some of the means.

NOW WHAT? When such methods are used, the only way to stop this is first trying to explain to the women that they themselves need to change what they believe is the general beauty myth created by the Western world.  Many women undergo surgeries to fix what they are not satisfied with. Some buy products without understanding the side effects while some use products to whiten their complexion. The biggest misconception is that having fair skin is beauty. All colors are equally beautiful and the inability to accept it is a grave issue in many societies.

The health of a woman is important, not only does it affect her but also her family. Some chemicals used to lighten the skin, penetrate into the pores on the skin and have been linked to cause skin diseases. These chemical reactions from within one’s skin, affect other parts such as the liver, kidney and stomach. An example is the Johnson baby powder that women used on both themselves and their children.

SO WHAT? Some of the body image problems that women have involve their weight, height, skin etc. and these contribute to them not feeling good enough to appeal to society

Women may be forced to perform acts they may end up regretting. They end up undergoing surgeries like tummy tucks to flatten the tummy. They are exposed to some of the dangers associated with plastic surgery.

NOW WHAT? What I would love for the readers to take home is that women should be comfortable in their own skin. Beauty is not something that should be based on others opinion but theirs alone. Surgery should not be the solution to every method of losing weight. A healthy diet can be a better choice, as long as one is aware of their limits. No one should feel the need to go through surgery in order to be beautiful, unless their health is in danger. An example is being overweight, which in most cases can lead to diabetes.

A challenge women might face is being unable to talk to each other about feeling beautiful because it feels foreign. However if they try it again and again there would be a change in their thoughts about themselves. To say “I AM BEAUTIFUL” may seem hard today but by tomorrow it is a fact. The reason why women are afraid to believe that a change can occur is because they are scared. They are terrified that what they personally believe in without the media’s portrayal may not be right, but I say no. One must believe in one self for another to believe in you. Women should be willing to accept themselves and other women. They need to be patient with others who look different and be ready to encourage them by saying ‘We are the same and nothing is different between you and I. I can guarantee that when this is done women would be able to accept themselves willingly. No matter what the world claims, women are going to always be unique beings that deserve acceptance.

As a fellow woman the need for change begins today. I am aware that we as women are scared and fearful of what the public thinks but if you start today the public would follow suit because you gave them the courage to continue. To my fellow women who are ready to face the world in their natural state, I ask that you spread the word by sharing and commenting on this blog. The more these words spread the more lives we can change.

Please comment below and vote on the top right hand corner of the blog. Thank you!!

BY BANWO ODUWOLE

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

                                                       

                                                                 References

Inoyori, R. (2013, April 30). Cancer-Causing Agent Found in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powders. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.com.au/cancer-causing-agent-found-johnson-johnson-baby-powders-1308344

Lubitow, A. (2008, Fall). Revealing the toxic truth: A case study of the campaign for safe cosmetics. Women & Environments International Magazine, , 27-29. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/211606433?accountid=14771