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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think we’ve all been brainwashed (beauty standards)

179 replies

exproblemsforever · 22/05/2023 08:08

I was reading a heartwarming thread on Reddit today about supposed imperfections that men actually live on women. Answers ranged from laughter lines, having a bit of a belly, cellulite, stretch marks, big noses - all of it.

it made me think, we are constantly told we (women) are not good enough. That we have to fix any perceived flaws. That unless we do we aren’t worthy of love, etc. We are taught this from a relatively young age (remember Cosmo magazine).

We must be hair free, no lines, no sun damage, lightly tanned (natural of course but don’t get sun damage), big breasts but they must be firm, a juicy bottom but you mustn’t have cellulite or stretch marks, no fat on your tummy….

it’s all BS.

And I’m not saying to accept ourselves because a bunch of men on the internet said so. It just made me realise that we are just us. We don’t have imperfections. We just are what we are. If we / someone wants to change something that’s all well and good. But to be made to feel we HAVE to, that’s just not ok. It’s just a money making exercise.

Argh sorry rant over. I only slept a couple of hours so I apologise if I am incoherent lol.

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 22/05/2023 23:09

Last CK ad I saw was Carlos Alcaraz and there was definitely no gender woo there!

WheelsUp · 23/05/2023 13:11

They had a pregnant transman campaign and sometimes drop images like this. Looks like something specifically for Pride but radically different to 90s adverts.

5128gap · 23/05/2023 13:43

My heart is not particularly warmed by the fact that men are prepared to relax their boundaries of what is acceptable to them, and include lines and 'a bit' of a belly, no. For one thing, few being Adonis material themselves, they don't really have a choice to accept less than perfection. They're pragmatists at best. At worst, those who go round banging on about it are usually pretty manipulative (You're not perfect, but I'll have you. Lucky lucky you!)
That said, if you're a single heterosexual woman who wants to have sex, it doesn't matter how much it grates, you really have no choice but to 'care' to at least an extent about what men find attractive. As the chances of finding one who's only interest lies in your higher mind and feminist principles is slim to say the least.

MidsummerNightsDream · 24/05/2023 21:39

sheepnuts · 22/05/2023 19:40

I guarantee he didn't mean on you. It's amazing how benevolent they are when talking about someone else.

I can guarantee you that you’re wrong. Sad for you that you only know or assume that all men are shallow.

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