Breast Obsessions and Body Image

1. Why breasts? Why now?

During 1940’s, large female breasts were ‘discovered’ as the most efficient vehicle for promoting merchandize. At the same time, advertisements agencies started using the image of large size female breasts for selling everything from toothpaste to cars.
Now, with the advances of science, medicine, technology and art, the age of breast enhancement is here to stay. Millions of women volunteer to change their breast size and shape with hope to feel sexier, attractive or even just ‘normal’, the new normal that is. The wishes of women, who perceived their breasts to be too small, came true with the invention of breast implants.

2. Shame: The new emotion of our generation

Never before had the emotion ‘shame’ been self-inflicted on an entire generation of women.
Ask a healthy cheer-leader, a mother of three or a post-menopause grandmother: what is one body-part that ‘cost’ you the most energy, fantasy, grief, pride, pleasure and shame? Well, breasts will often be the first choice, while nose and hair will occupy far second and third choices… As a result, many women now treat their breasts as foreign objects. Our culture is only too happy to play along with their perceptions, frustrations and hopes.
All past generations, since the beginning of time, were concerned with women breasts as well. However, size and shape were not on anybody’s mind.
The true function of female breasts - breast feeding - was the main interest of the human family.
Shame for the appearance of one’s breasts is culture’s invention of the past several decades.

3. Large enough breasts on a size zero female body - the new dilemma

According to women fashion magazines and the entertainment industry; a female’s body size of zero with large size breasts is the new standard of beauty. This standard is running havoc in the body-image and health of millions of young women.
However, as you know, breasts are partially made of fat cells. The logic that follows is that very thin women would not develop large size breasts, right?
Well, who needs logic when you can have it all?
The combined forces of breast obsession and unhealthy body image have inspired the solution to the dilemma. Now a very thin body with large breast implants is the latest ‘hot look’ for women of all ages.

4. ‘Looking sexy’ is not necessarily feeling sexy

Body image is the perceptions/fantasies/wishes and sometime negative feelings we attach to our live body.
A woman could walk into a department store, buy all the latest fashions, cosmetics and accessories and be told by an army of sales associates, friends and lovers that she looks great, sexy, attractive and so on.
Coming home, removing the make-up and clothes: will those feelings linger?
In most cases that I have interviewed, the looks of the person did not transmit the message to the body: I feel sexy.
The gap between feeling one’s powers and identity vs. one’s looks is widening. The reason for the gap is the barrages of messages around us combined with too little knowledge of our own body.

5. Teens and breast implants; the unseen dangers

Have you heard that the most popular high school graduation gift for girls is breast implants? Well, you have heard the wrong information. The car is back as the gift of choice for the graduates. And breast implants? Don’t worry, they did not disappear; they are the imperative gift for the Sweet Sixteen!
The danger here is that the process of sexualizing the mind of the young girl is starting before the fully developed body gave the signals: I am ready.
This process is irreversible. No therapists, drugs or treatments can give your child back their innocence.
Breast implants on a child of sixteen, or anytime before maturity is damaging and permanent.

6. Are men breast obsessed? Are women?

Men are attracted to women’s bodies and body-parts for the survival of our species.
Some men are attracted to a certain female’s body part more than other parts.
However, in the last couple of decades women ‘took over’ the lead and fascination with size and shape of females’ breast as their own interests. These days, breasts and other body-part obsessions and the industries behind them service women’s body image needs.

 

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© Copyright 2000 Dr. Nili Sachs

 

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