Women's insecurities

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Women and their insecurities
The body is not the whole woman

By Akiko Tanaka

Just a few hours ago I was listening to a NPR program in which men's preferences regarding "ideal body shape" for wives in the African nation of Niger was being discussed. Men there had a virtual unanimous preference for large, curvaceous wives. The men considered such women to be "healthy;" in the sense that they equated "health" with being "well nourished." So the plumper the better.

One may suppose that in a land of unpredictable famine this might well be the case. But why would men in modern western countries seem to be obsessed, to some degree, with "bigger is better"? Large buttocks don't seem to receive as much praise. I've gone and asked questions I cannot answer. All I know is that men's preferences vary from place to place and from time to time. For those of you who enjoy trivia: the most common form of plastic surgery in Brazil is breast reduction. Companies selling silicone implants have an extremely small market in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia… but then again they would also be liable for far fewer court judgments than is the case in Los Angeles.

And just one more thing about women's health. In high school I frequently overheard boys describing one or another particular girl as being "healthy." Of course this meant that she had "stick-out-from-the-crowd" breasts. Meanwhile, I had a virtually perfect attendance record; and no boy ever referred to me as being "healthy." (I was happy to discover that health didn't equate with so many other capabilities of a woman.)

Secondly, I've just about had it with small size leading to embarrassment for women. This has got to be one of the most ridiculous notions ever conceived. Size is related to inherited characteristics, like eye color, as well as diet and exercise. Artificial enlargement or reduction has nothing to do with what women are, and a whole lot to do with what they want to be, or appear to be. There is no reason I can think of to allow oneself be judged by standards one has no say in or natural ability to measure up to. What would men do if an artificial length of 10" were required for job applicants or college admission? Would the vast majority that couldn't measure up seek implantation of potentially harmful substances? I think not.

Lastly, I'd just like to add a few comments about things small. Frequently, miniatures and "pint-sized" versions of things are found to be especially attractive. Such is the case for newborns in every known culture, as well as many animal species. Newborns, infants, and toddlers are generally told just how cute or adorable they are in the most tender tones and glowing terms. For some of us even a baby alligator may appear rather cute. I happen to think that that smaller than average breasts on adult women are very attractive. And I'm always happy to learn that there are men in the population that agree. Men often give their lovers "pet" names, a "special" name reserved for a special person in their life. Remember that most often pets are small, cute and "special" to their owners. Be yourself, no matter what size you are; someone somewhere probably thinks you are special.

Related links: Should you get implants?

Is plastic surgery the solution to a woman's self esteem problems?

Man not responding to my advances I feel insecure in bed

About the author

Akiko Tanaka is a freelance writer. She attended the State University of New York, where she was a double-major, and earned her BA in Anthropology, and another in Russian Language and Literature. Currently she is working towards forming an image design company, to be known as alicia dezine. Some of her images appear on the pages of this e-zine.

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