How Realism Could Improve Confidence
By admin • Feb 25th, 2010The more realistic retailers are made to be when it comes to portraying women then the better the average lady is going to feel about her shape and size, one MP has claimed.
Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and equalities spokesperson for the party, said typically, the majority of women and models featured in the media are "way under average" when it comes to size, which could lead to a fall in body confidence of the female reader.
"Body confidence is really important; it is important for mature women, particularly important for younger people and even men are bringing up the rear so to speak on this one," she added.
As a result, Ms Featherstone is urging the media and marketers to become more realistic when it comes to their portrayal of women.
She explains this is important because there are many ladies who spend their whole lives feeling unhappy with the way they look.
Coupled with the pressure on girls to conform to a perceived ideal, Ms Featherstone suggested this could lead to undue pressure and worry at a time when young people should be enjoying themselves.
The MP has welcomed the recent news that Debenhams has become one of the first UK retailers to use size 16 mannequins in its windows.
While the majority of mannequins used in shop displays are a size ten, the average UK women is a size 14-16.
Ms Featherstone concluded: "In the end, we all deserve to be happy just the way we are."
How do you feel about the way you look?