- Teenage girls are the most depressed group in UK. One-third are overwhelmed by the drive for A*s and size zero. We must end this iinsanity. #
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Lynne McTaggart
Lynne McTaggart is an award-winning journalist and the author of seven books, including the worldwide international bestsellers The Power of Eight, The Field, The Intention Experiment and The Bond, all considered seminal books of the New Science and now translated into some 30 languages.
I do not know what the statistics are for the US, but I do know that there are a lot of unhappy women here, of all ages. I write cookbooks, so I keep up to date on the latest diet trends. The last diet book I read appalled me so greatly I put aside the cookbook I was working on to write a more holistic book on health, attitude, mindfullness, diet and fashion. I do not know if it will do any good, but I could not keep silent any longer. Funny thing was, when I collected my past writings and research, I found I had already had a good start. I did not realize how much my children, friends, and their children, have been disturbed by the unhealthy, unhappy images of beauty we are bombarded with. Now I am looking for other women's stories. I am hoping that if we share real successes based on being aware of sustainable diets, healthy movement and positive attitudes we can counter some of the negative imagery that is created to seize our attention and sell products.
I don't know the stats either, but I'm sure they could use some improvement! I teach bellydance aerobics classes, and do not look like the stereotype myself (happily). I can't even count how many women make unkind remarks about their bodies after class, or imply that their beauty is not 'enough.'
I also firmly believe that through positive encouragement and education, we can help other women become aware that what the mainstream promotes as truths about beauty (and other things) are not infallible. Real beauty comes in many shapes, sizes and colors. The beauty of nature is in its creativity, its refusal to make two things exactly the same.
Virginia, how wonderful about your holistic book! It is very needed. The negative imagery can be changed, and I believe it already is beginning to do so, with women who are aware that the images are just a bunch of bologna. Let's bombard the media back by speaking out!