The Apple of My Eye

Social convention allows that the female form is God's gift to man.

The woman, on the other hand sees her body not as a gift, but that constant nagging burden that inhabits its size, shape, and form.

In some cultures, big breasted women with ample hips are considered desirable. Then, there's the legendary "Amazon woman", tall, muscular and dangerously captivating. Of course, there is the curvaceous female, oozing with the power to eat men alive. Yikes!

Then there was the "Rubenesque" woman of the fifties. Full of passion and mystery in ways only Sophia Loren and the Playboy bunny were privy to, this iconic woman lasted until Twiggy showed up in her mini skirt, flaunting easy access to long legs topped off by lace panties.

It was the Sixites, where sex for sale was discounted for the masses. Everything had to have sex appeal, from kitchen counters, to racing cars. This new commodity needed a new look. Models were no longer sweet looking housewives in fine clothing, they were sex symbols to be ravished while wearing Gucci, Cassini, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Since then, the perfect woman's body isn't womanly at all. It's closer to being a tall, skinny 14 year old boy with breast implants. Should fashion designers have their way, women would never eat again so they could fit into skimpy, expensive garments made for the mannequins.

However, growing teenage girls need a balanced diet of good food and encouragement to accept the changing nature of their female cycles. Starving themselves to look like the underfed models in magazines and music videos does irrefutable damage to the body and psyche of young women.

The fashion industry is not the only culprit here. Girls terrorize each other over their appearance. Boys often ridicule girls if they reject their sexual advances. Parents often misread the emotional needs of their children during the most critical time in their young life, thinking it best to leave them alone to "be" teenagers.

All the while, young girls are hiding loneliness and heartbreak in their silence. Their self esteem is connected to their level of communication with other teenagers. On top of pimples, early breast development, and little parental guidance, girls will end up hurting themselves without early intervention.

Starving themselves may seem the perfect remedy. It will make them sexy, boys will notice them, and other girls will be envious. Girls as young as 10, are experimenting with not eating.

The disorder can potentially develop into anorexia or worst. By the time she is 15, most girls have tried a variety of methods to lose weight using diuretics, laxative, enemas, and vomiting.

Women, your girls need you now. Grandmothers, Mothers, Aunts, Sisters, Girlfriends and "Fairygodmothers" are the first line of defense for protecting our younger female population.

Men can't do this. Their role is different and vital. Only a female can teach a girl to become a woman.

Eve didn't eat the rotten apple of guilt and shame, nor should we!

love and peace in our lifetime

Esprit