Who are we to judge what someone else decides to do to her own face or body?
Tom Matlack recently wrote a piece for the Room for Debate section of The New York Times discussing women, makeup, plastic surgery, and tattoos. He asserts that when it comes to subjects such as how much or what types of makeup, or choosing to get breast augmentation surgery “women should do whatever they want.” Unfortunately, in our culture beauty and “beautification” are highly controversial topics, controversy which is evident in the comments the post has already garnered from both sides of the debate, and in all honesty most times whatever she wants is a relative term.
Following is an excerpt of that piece.
When I asked a ton of men and women about breast enhancement I got a remarkable diversity of responses. It would be easy to criticize women who get fake boobs and men who admit to liking them. But the truth is a lot more complicated than that. Who are we to judge what someone else decides to do to her own face or body?
One of my best friends has body ink head to toe and I happen to think it looks pretty cool. And if I didn’t think so, it’d still be his own body and none of my business.
So when it comes to makeup and self-esteem I plead ignorance other than to say women should do whatever they want. That includes my wife, by the way. As long as she knows that I love her most when she has nothing on.
I can’t help but wonder though, if what a woman wants is to be considered beautiful by societal standards then are things like using makeup or getting breast enhancement surgery really a choice at all?
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18 Comments on "Tom Matlack Talks to the New York Times About Women, Beautification, and Self-Esteem"
..but it did feel better anyway!
aaaaaand wrong page *blushes*
I’m just going to say no to anal bleaching!
Society has been after my anus for years, but I’ve held fast…
“I can’t help but wonder though, if what a woman wants is to be considered beautiful by societal standards then are things like using makeup or getting breast enhancement surgery really a choice at all?”
Yes, because it’s fundamentally her choice to pursue being beautiful by societal standards.
makeup, outfit that shows off their body well and hair ? All three that fit into the standard of beauty.
Chooses always come with consequence.
If a woman wants attract a large number of men then she’s going to have to do the things that attract them.
You can’t reject everything that attracts a mate than complain about the lack of interest you’re getting.
“I can’t help but wonder though, if what a woman wants is to be considered beautiful by societal standards then are things like using makeup or getting breast enhancement surgery really a choice at all?”
Are women just children , a bad choice is still a choice. It might not be one you would choose but such is life. Of course it’s a choice.
Erin: Yes, the question of “Is it a choice at all” is very demeaning towards women, it treats them as children who can’t do anything except what society and madison avenue tells them. Thanks for making my point for me.
If I want to be widely regarded as rich and successful, I have to earn a lot of money. So is that really a choice?
Well, yes. Yes, it is.
So if a woman wants toe widely regarded as beautiful, she has to have lots of make-up on and get her breasts “enhanced”?
Yes, if she wants to meet the mainstream definition of beauty. And if anyone wants to meet the NFL’s definition of “skilled athlete,” they have to put in a lot of practice. Some even take steroids.
But as always, deciding to aspire to that standard is the INDIVIDUAL’S choice, not anyone else’s.