I recently watched a great little video on CBC called the Succulent Six. It is about six curvy women tackling body image issues.
Differences Between Men And Women
The short video is below.
Be warned that there is some tasteful nudity in the video.
I thought about this episode afterwards and how these women found it empowering to remove their clothes and in turn some of their insecurities and still find beauty. The artists’ affirmed this beauty through their paintings and drawings. The women’s self worth was directly related to how they see themselves as well as how others see them.
I wondered if men would find removing their clothing empowering. I don’t think they would. Society doesn’t recognize men for being beautiful, it recognizes them for being financially successful or intellectually, or otherwise, accomplished.
A woman’s value in society is often related to her beauty. She is always being judged by her physical appearance. Men for the most part avoid this issue.
What do you think?
Melanie says
Yes. I think that’s partly why it’s difficult to get ahead sometimes. I wonder what it would be like if all our style blogs just overnight became financial wizard blogs the next day, but I also don’t think that would “help,” although I’m not sure what that help is in reference to, a leveling…? Maybe a meeting point in the middle?
It’s also interesting how when women talk together it’s often called gossiping, but when men do it, it’s called networking and they make money from it. Pffft. Of course there is no “man” and no “woman” – the spectrum is HUUUGE. I think the animal kingdom is interesting where it’s the males that usually have to worry about how they look.
Great topic, Suzanne.
Neti says
Great Post! The images that the artists drew on paper were all so different and in varied colors. That is how we see ourselves on a daily. . . we are all similar yet different in various looks. As long as we learn to love each other we will survive. I have watched all the Succulent Six videos previously and also wrote a post to be published soon.
suzanne carillo says
They are great videos right?! I must pop over to read your post.
Shybiker says
Absolutely. I could address this subject at length, but I don’t want to monopolize the conversation. Kudos to you for this insight.
jodie filogomo says
What an interesting subject to propose. There’s no way to comment on this now…I need to ponder and work it out, but I have a feeling this will be brewing in my brain awhile!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
beate says
believe me – men have many and often huge body image issues.
but they usually don´t talk about 🙂
xxxx
suzanne carillo says
Do you think a man would feel empowered by taking off his clothing like these women did?
Anna Parkes says
Fabulous piece Suzanne. I was delighted to see the how these women embrace each other and give each other support. The artworks are testement to their beauty regardless of how society sees them or expects them to be. When you bring men into the equation, things become quite complicated. Anorexia in men is a growning area of mental health problems among not just the young, but middle aged men too. The pressure is on men to perform, make money, be successful and therefore eating becomes the only place they feel that they have total control. As I say, it’s a complex issue.
Anna x
suzanne carillo says
Do you think a man would feel empowered by taking off their clothing like these women did?
Marilee Gramith says
What a joyous group of voluptuous women. Getting naked for an extended time period would be difficult for women who’s bodies are deemed much closer to “perfect”. These women have confidence, guts, and a revolutionary spirit that feels refreshingly empowering and long overdue. They shine!!!
No Fear of Fashion says
I really don’t know. Even though society judges men for their wallet and women for having children (….) I don’t know whether I would call that the difference between men and women. There are other things that would come to my mind first.
Loved the video!
Greetje
suzanne carillo says
I think I should have phrased it better…society’s expectations of men and women.
My main question was do you think that a man would feel empowered by taking off his clothes like these women felt?
I thought this topic would create lots of interesting dialogue. I was wrong.
Shelley@ForestCityFashionista says
I loved the finished pieces of art! I’ve met Belle Jumelles a couple of times, and she is lovely – very sassy and funny. I’ve taken my clothes off a couple of times for photographers (I was in my 30’s at the time, so I do agree with the feeling of empowerment that comes with it, especially when you don’t have a body that is considered conventionally “sexy”. I don’t think men would feel the same way about it because although they may have their own individual body issues, on the whole, men’s lives are not impacted in the same way by how they feel about their bodies and how they imagine society views them.