Trend in Standards

After the discussion today, I started to think about the different standards women have been pressured into throughout time. Before women became anorexic for religious reasons: to be like the Virgin Mary. Someone presenting mentioned how men at this time had a higher status as priests. Males playing a dominant role in a religious society pressured woman even more to be like the Virgin Mary. The society as a whole was driven by religious beliefs and way of life. Not only were these women being pressured by the men to obtain this Virgin Mary image, but woman also found this a neccessity in order to fit in with there other female friends and family. Eating less, and becoming anorexic was a way of life. To those women, there was no other way; it was the norm.

Now, flash forward to today and our society is NOT as dominantly controlled by religion or by men. Although, men do hold a stronger status- this is changing. It is now more acceptable for a woman to be in charge and do what was once considered "a man's job". The pressure for woman to stay at home has seized to exist as "the woman's role" and in some cases is now the man's role in a relationship. Men are more likely to accept these standards now. So where does this pressure for a woman be thin come from now?

Obviously, the media plays a pivitol role in this. For woman, the pressure to look a certain way is dependent on the woman's other female friends. If you are in a group of friends that dress proper, are thin-and you are not-there is that one thing that will make you feel less acceptable. I have many girlfriends who are very high maintenance: can only wear a certain brand of jeans , shirts, shoes, purses(that cost $100s). But for me, I don't really care about spending $100s on a pair of jeans or shirt. I must admit though, I do have one pair of jeans that were over $100. I couldn't tell you if I got them because I liked them or because I felt "as a girl" I am obligated to own at least one pair or these type of jeans. Even when it comes to dressing up to go to a party: if you ask most guys(at least the ones I've met) "does this look good"? Most will say "sure, I dunno, I don't care". So who am I dressing up for? The men or the woman?
Maybe it depends on where you are from? I went to a high school which required us to wear a uniform. Girls wore polos in various colors and we had the option to wear a plaid skirt, shorts, or pants. The plaid skirt was the same for everyone while the pants or shorts were tan. EVEN with a uniform girls would make fun of other girls for wearing "those shoes, that polo .. with that skirt". That's BIZZARE!
The media, men, woman: whoever influences us has really skewed our idea of what is real.
Take a look at this Dove Commercial. You will see what it really takes for a girl to be "Beautiful".
Dove Commercial