I was fortunate enough (along with the other UrbanMoms) to see the new documentary Miss Representation on Friday night. It is beyond worth checking out – you must see it. And then you must start your preschoolers off with this new Sesame Street video …
We need to start reinforcing to our kids at a young age that they can be whatever they want and hopefully by the time they hit high school, our girls won’t drop the dream of becoming President (or Prime Minister!).
I call this THE GOOD! (Well the GREAT…is it just me or is Sesame Street just incredible these days. I mean it’s always been amazing – but I’m super impressed lately!).
On THE BAD front, in really sad news, Guiliana Rancic has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Guiliana is married to Bill Rancic ( I think he was the first Apprentice?) and they’ve been trying (very publically) to have a baby. She told the Today Show this morning that she’ll have six weeks of radiation after surgery next week. I think the number of celebs who have gone public with their breast cancer battles is amazing. Awareness is key and it’s nice to see celebs using their popularity for good … instead of just trying to sell us cosmetics.
On THE FUNNY? How about celebrity men of different ages musing about love. What is the Biebs? 17? His version of young love…Hawaiian holidays, the Grammy Awards…well, it’s about as realistic as The Bachelor. He says, ‘It’s not complicated. It just happens.’ Yup – it just happens in high school (well after a mickey of lemon gin). Enjoy it now Justin because sadly, it gets complicated. Oh and if you had a secret crush on Seal before. I dare you to not be madly in love with him after you read his take on love. (My man Clooney is in there too…looking for Cinderella…please! DUDE I’m right here for godsakes!)
OMG Sara. I just went back and reread that post. I remember reading it and relating to it soooo much. I can’t believe I didn’t comment. Now I there are no more comments allowed??? Is it the switch to the new format? Anyway, we seem like we have the same experiences, as do many women. WHY?
Let’s have a night out to discuss sometime. Wanna come to Haileybury?
I hear you Erin. I wrote about just that awhile back..
http://www.urbanmoms.ca/diy/2010/05/am-i-good-enough.html
I look forward to yours!
I agree totally. It doesn’t help to point fingers and blame.
Although I do think that the media should be held to task for this as well. We are advanced enough as a specied to know better and shouldn’t allow it.
There is a lot to our senses of selves and confidence. I’ve been thinking about this a lot and have been reading some work by a variety of psychologists. I’m starting to get some insight. I will write a post about it.
I wasn’t dissing Sesame Street, I just don’t think it’s enough.
It has also taken me a really long time to get to where I’m comfortable, and I’m still not there. It’s not just looks and brains, it’s being good enough….
I’ll leave it there for now because I want to write a post about it.
I LOVE that comment Jen – because I totally agree with it. I really do. It took me longer to get to the point of loving myself and being happy with my whole self – brain AND body. You really did articulate this so well. I’m not a fan of blame and definitely don’t think the media and the message are wholly to blame. Self awareness is key. (and I’m still going to rap along to the ‘Street!)
This may not be a popular comment but I have been thinking a lot about this. I believe that media and society play a role in our insecurities absolutely and we definitely need to do something about this.
However, at some point, we need to stop pointing fingers and placing blame and start looking at ourselves. Was I insecure in High School? Yes. Was it a complex insecurity built on the idea that a smart, strong, tall woman was not attractive? Probably. But does focusing on the cause and placing blame externally mean I am no longer responsible and accountable? That is where I struggle. I made decisions and in many ways I didn’t give in. I stayed strong. I stood up for myself. I stood tall (at 5’11” this was important to me) but at the same time I felt doubt.
In my 20s I made a conscious effort to love myself as I am. It is a long story how I got there but it taught me so much. It took a lot of work and conscious effort but I realized that I have the power, regardless of the media or my friends or men, I can decide I am fine just the way I am. And I did. And I am SO much happier shedding the burden of that pressure. It is still a conscious effort a lot of the time but so liberating.
THIS is what I want my daughter to know. I will do what I can to impact society and empower women but if we all make a conscious effort to take responsibility and instead of feeling anger and blame focus that energy inward and make it love and acceptance the rest will matter a lot less. This will be the legacy we pass along to our daughters. One of self love and contentment.
I love Free to be you and me…. William wants a doll kills me everytime – I love it. I was thinking about your comment last night Erin – you know that I shared your insecurities in high school/university…but I’m left wondering why. I don’t think it was media driven, and it certainly wasn’t from my parents. I’m struggling to think why. I do think that the Sesame Street lessons (they are also anti-bullying videos coming) can only be helpful it starting discussions at least. (sh*t and sesame street in the same sentence? booo).
Rachael – I’m so sorry about your friend.
Ah Free to Be… a cocktail waitress!! I grew up with it to. I think it’s up to us to talk to our kids. Mine know half the people in the commercials so they already know they’re full of… but not every one is lucky like that.
There was a memorial tonight for one of my firends who recently lost his battle with cancer. I agree -the more we talk, the more likely we are to do something!
I watch that Sesame Street Clip and I think, I grew up with that Sh*&&t and still ended up insecure about my looks, my smarts, my everything. I grew up with Free to Be You and Me (same stuff). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26FOHoaC78
The media does not give girls a break. Ever. I have a post brewing about this, even though I haven’t seen the film yet.