We've heard the phrase in numerous contexts: "real women have curves", "join these real women in insert-sweepstakes-campaign here". It begs the question, what is, or more appropriately, who is, a "real" woman? If we approach the question purely semantically, then according to a Miriam-Webster connotation, a real woman is a woman who legally exists and lives as a woman. However, the term has come to mean things far different.
For example, take the popular phrase "real women have curves." In a world of super-skinny models, the phrase has served as a reaffirming solace to the majority of women who feel less-than-gorgeous because of even narrower standards. But for women who lack the curvy figure, the tables are turned, and the phrase becomes a cause of concern: are they not real women?
The same goes for Dove's Real Beauty campaign, which features average-looking women as models. Above all the companies body-positive ads (which I do support, in spite of all this), the hypocrisy is evident: real, legitimate beauty is only found in a layer of creams and gels, however "Pro-Age" they may be.
For me, a real woman is a woman who is confident and self-affirming, whether curvy, a size 00, or a user of Dove products. What's your definition of a real woman?
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2 comments:
A real woman, to me, is a woman who isn't afraid to push boundaries and stick her neck out for what is right.
To me, a real woman is one who stands up for what she believes in, whatever it is, and one who is proud to be a woman.
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