Article Body:
We have all seen the new Dove commercials that feature “real” women instead of the impossibly “ideal” models that are usually selected. While the Dove girls are universally attractive and fit, they also reflect different sizes and shapes, designed to represent the typical American woman. Is that what we want?
Glorifying our diversity looks like a positive development which should cause increased self-content and improved self-esteem. Comparing ourselves to the imperfect bodies displayed is meant to reduce our self-criticism and sense of inadequacy.
Does it?
We are a race of strivers, constantly seeking to raised ourselves. Self-improvement is that the biggest marketing niche of the Twenty-first Century, from books and classes to online information products, magazines, and tv . The gurus of our day, from Oprah, to Martha Stewart, to Dr. Phil, to Donald Trump, all entice us towards improving ourselves, our looks, our relationships, our finances, our surroundings — our whole life. We are dissatisfied with ourselves as we are because we've caught a glimpse of what we will become.
To keep us motivated therein direction, we'd like a vision of perfection to figure towards, albeit we all know we’ll never quite get there.
When it involves weight control, what is going to keep us riveted on our goal? to seem as gorgeous because the cover models on Cosmopolitan or the chunky figures within the Dove Ads?
We don’t want to be patronized by the marketing mavens. We don’t need a subtle reminder that we'd like to line our sights lower or aspire to something but excellence. we would like a dream that soars, that inspires us to unbelievable heights. we would like a vision to maneuver towards, regardless of how unlikely it's that we'll reach that destination. So keep your condescending “Go ahead and accept this” approach away, please.
Robert Browning suggested: “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”