2011 - Talk Birth

to never be exposed to the harsh reality that at some point in their lives, probably sooner rather
than later, they will viewed as sexual objects. But do we need them to feel it before they know
how to multiply double digits? I can appreciate that the LFL youth league will be fully clothed,
but just the mere association with the word ”lingerie” will instill in the girls that one day, if they
want to play with the big boys, they’ll be forced to strip down to do so.
via [2]Talking Smack – Are you ready for some T &A? - espnW.
What an excellent concluding point. This article reminded me of the [3]sexyfication of Halloween costumes
for girls in recent years. And, also of conversations recently amongst my friends about ”appropriate dress”
and how restricting girls’ clothing choices is damaging too, just like clothing that objectifies girls/women
is damaging. We usually conclude that dressing in a way that makes YOU feel good is what matters (and
being able to make your own choices about what that is). When think about things like the LFL though, I
just wonder if it is even possible to tease it apart anymore—are girls learning that there is any other way to
feel good about themselves other than how they look while playing football in a bra?! Likewise, we’ve also
had conversations about how little girls are often complimented on their clothes and how ”cute” and ”pretty”
they are and much less often about how brave and smart and strong they are. But, likewise, sometimes it is
also nice to be told you look cute or pretty—when I feel cute or pretty it feels nice to have that acknowledged
rather than to be ignored PCishly. I think it is hard to tell where it comes from.
So, this brings me to my third disturbing experience. I frequently receive press releases about a variety
of products related to pregnancy, birth, parenting, and women’s health. Some of them I write about, some
of them I don’t. I usually refrain from posting about the ones I find ridiculous or insulting, because I don’t
want to have this be a place in which I mock things and I also don’t want to insult or point fingers at the
press people who contact me with these ”news” items. However, in the context of the above, I cannot help
but mention that I received a release about a new procedure for those of us who are seeking, ”completely
new buttocks” with just two quick, nearly painless doctor’s visits! According to the release:
Dallas, Texas, October 28, 2011 - A stitch in time can re-align. At least, that’s the concept
behind a new minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure to lift and shape the buttocks called the
Brazilian Thread-Lift.
“I’ve never seen anything this quick and this dramatic,” says [4]Dr. Bill Johnson at Innovations
Medical in Dallas. “After two simple, 45-minute procedures using only local anesthetic, a
patient can completely re-shape her backside.”
During the first visit, while under local anesthesia, the patient has several specifically-designed
sutures or plastic threads strung under the skin and across each buttock. The entire procedure
takes less than an hour. The threads have a series of thin knots covered by tiny cones which can
be placed easily and with minimal discomfort. The cones create small fibrotic areas that function
like little ligaments. After three months, the patient returns for an equally-brief follow-up visit,
during which the physician gently tightens each thread, providing a smooth, even lift... (emphasis
mine)
While they term it ”small fibrotic areas,” I read purposeful internal scarring in the name of ”beauty” or
sexiness and I find it deeply disturbing. What does it say about our cultural attitudes towards women that
anyone would desire OR promote purposely creating scar tissue in your butt so that you look more ”youthful”?
Because, after all, nothing says youthful and sexy like fibrotic areas that help pull your butt fat into
place.
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