At one time or another, we've all felt the societal pressure to look a certain way. Whether it's as innocent as whitening our teeth or sighing, "I really shouldn't" over another bite of pizza, lots of us have accepted these body-image practices as social norms. The obsession with our appearances and what we put into our bodies is pervasive. And, as if it weren't hard enough to accept ourselves when a billboard tells us we need better legs, imagine what it would be like if you watched your mom do it, too.
In an excerpt from the book
Dear Mum,
Kasey Edwards describes a heartwrenching childhood in which she witnessed her unhappy mother constantly battle her size. Having been told she was fat by her husband and her own mom, Kasey's mother self-loathed to the point of tears and despair — and all in front of her seven-year-old child.
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As Kasey grew up observing her role model torture herself over her weight, the notion that "fat is ugly and horrible" began to naturally transfer onto Kasey. She continues to write a compelling, heartbreaking essay on breaking this toxic cycle of body-image torment. Edwards reminds us that we need to "respect our bodies for what they do instead of despising them for how they appear". If that hits you deep down inside, then you should definitely read the entire piece.
Edwards points out that in order to stop body hatred, we have to stop being cruel to ourselves — and, most importantly, be careful not to pass that mentality on to our offspring. Because, in reality, Kasey and her mother are both beautiful — but, their physical beauty doesn't really matter, does it? (The Daily Life).
Photo: Via The Daily Life