http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134 Well, France, you've done it. Thanks to you, women throughout the world will now have to find a new way to make themselves feel bad. How dare you try and pass a bill making it illegal for magazines and advertisers to promote extreme thinness. I mean, what are you trying to do? Raise our self esteem? The nerve! For the sarcastic impaired, I'm being, um...well, sarcastic. Actually, I think its a potentially good idea that someone, even if it is France (motto: "We hate stupid Americans") is finally doing something about the extreme thinness craze that has pervaded mainstream media since, well, for as long as I can remember.  If you haven't heard yet, according to a recently posted CNN.com story, France's lower house of parliament has just adopted a bill that bans Web sites, magazines and other organizations from "inciting extreme thinness." Of course, many in the fashion industry are against this bill, (surprise, surprise) which will go to the French Senate in coming weeks. Fashion leaders are saying that they are opposed to legal restrictions on beauty standards. Although I'm guessing these fashion leaders don't find a 5'11" woman weighing 64 pounds offensive since they too probably only weigh as much as my left thigh. While the journalist side of me thinks this bill might border dangerously on censorship of expression and art, which I am firmly against, the woman in me is going "Yippee!" I mean, I can't even pick up Vogue without hating my thighs within the first 30 seconds of flipping through the pages (which is quickly followed by chowing down a pint of ice cream in a defeatist attitude of "oh well, I'll never look like that...may as well punish my body further").  Is it fair to put legal restrictions on beauty ideals? I guess that is the question put before France's government. And their decision could place a precedence for other countries thinking of passing similar bills. While I'm torn on the issue, my biggest fear is that should this debate hit American shores, the rice cakes will really hit the fan. Because in true American style, I'm afraid that once we ban skinny models, banning other things may follow. And as much as I loathe watching young girls starving themselves for a ridiculous beauty ideal, I'm much more afraid of the government dictating to us what is or is not acceptable in yet one more aspect of our lives. Well, France, you've done it. Thanks to you, women throughout the world will now have to find a new way to make themselves feel bad. How dare you try and pass a bill making it illegal for magazines and advertisers to promote extreme thinness. I mean, what are you trying to do? Raise our self esteem? The nerve! For the sarcastic impaired, I'm being, um...well, sarcastic. Actually, I think its a potentially good idea that someone, even if it is France (motto: "We hate stupid Americans") is finally doing something about the extreme thinness craze that has pervaded mainstream media since, well, for as long as I can remember.  If you haven't heard yet, according to a recently posted CNN.com story, France's lower house of parliament has just adopted a bill that bans Web sites, magazines and other organizations from "inciting extreme thinness." Of course, many in the fashion industry are against this bill, (surprise, surprise) which will go to the French Senate in coming weeks. Fashion leaders are saying that they are opposed to legal restrictions on beauty standards. Although I'm guessing these fashion leaders don't find a 5'11" woman weighing 64 pounds offensive since they too probably only weigh as much as my left thigh. While the journalist side of me thinks this bill might border dangerously on censorship of expression and art, which I am firmly against, the woman in me is going "Yippee!" I mean, I can't even pick up Vogue without hating my thighs within the first 30 seconds of flipping through the pages (which is quickly followed by chowing down a pint of ice cream in a defeatist attitude of "oh well, I'll never look like that...may as well punish my body further").  Is it fair to put legal restrictions on beauty ideals? I guess that is the question put before France's government. And their decision could place a precedence for other countries thinking of passing similar bills. While I'm torn on the issue, my biggest fear is that should this debate hit American shores, the rice cakes will really hit the fan. Because in true American style, I'm afraid that once we ban skinny models, banning other things may follow. And as much as I loathe watching young girls starving themselves for a ridiculous beauty ideal, I'm much more afraid of the government dictating to us what is or is not acceptable in yet one more aspect of our lives. en-us I don't know about banning skinning, I dang sure will not have to worry about that, but it is clear that the female in this picture has a mental problem. What is the difference between a drug problem and this? http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45587 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45587 I don't know about banning skinning, I dang sure will not have to worry about that, but it is clear that the female in this picture has a mental problem. What is the difference between a drug problem and this? I would hate for the government to regulate anything having to do with my body & mind that is legal & nobody elses business.  Better watch out Aprill that bleach blond look may be outlawed too.   And another reason I hate the French!  http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45611 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45611 I would hate for the government to regulate anything having to do with my body & mind that is legal & nobody elses business.  Better watch out Aprill that bleach blond look may be outlawed too.   And another reason I hate the French!  Sandwichh, I don't know much about drug addiction but I do know a lot of experts say eating disorders stem out of need for that person to have control over some aspect of their lives.   http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45688 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45688 Sandwichh, I don't know much about drug addiction but I do know a lot of experts say eating disorders stem out of need for that person to have control over some aspect of their lives.   Thick is in. Only a dog wants a bone. That is all. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45692 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45692 Thick is in. Only a dog wants a bone. That is all. Victorianbybirth, they can take away my life, but they will never take away my hair dye!  :) http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45723 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45723 Victorianbybirth, they can take away my life, but they will never take away my hair dye!  :) This sounds like a good idea to me (says the pleasantly plump girl while eating a rice krispies treat).  But seriously, here in America it's all about looks, this type of bill would never pass! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45734 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45734 This sounds like a good idea to me (says the pleasantly plump girl while eating a rice krispies treat).  But seriously, here in America it's all about looks, this type of bill would never pass! It's not really banning being skinny so much as banning the exploitation and enabling of emaciation nation.  The working requirements should include 1) the ability to remain standing in a 20 mph breeze, 2) can be able to count ribs on front or back, not both, and 3) must be able to pick up a Quarter Pounder without the need for a spotter. http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45833 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_45833 It's not really banning being skinny so much as banning the exploitation and enabling of emaciation nation.  The working requirements should include 1) the ability to remain standing in a 20 mph breeze, 2) can be able to count ribs on front or back, not both, and 3) must be able to pick up a Quarter Pounder without the need for a spotter. Anyone remember Billy Crystal's "Fernando" character on Saturday Night Live, whose motto was, "I would rather look good than feel good"? (Anyone remember Billy Crystal?) Sadly, that seems to be our current cultural motto as well. All the laws in the world aren't going to change a poor body image or low self esteem. But it's not just women who have to deal with unrealistic expectations of "looking good." Ever been with a gaggle of women drooling over Matthew McConna-what'shisface or any of the other Hollywood pretty boys with their washboard abs and low I.Q's? It's not a pretty sight. Imagine having to live up to THAT ideal. But as I like to say, so what if the pretty boys have six-packs? I've got a whole keg! http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_46053 http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/Blog/AprillBrandon/7134/#c_46053 Anyone remember Billy Crystal's "Fernando" character on Saturday Night Live, whose motto was, "I would rather look good than feel good"? (Anyone remember Billy Crystal?) Sadly, that seems to be our current cultural motto as well. All the laws in the world aren't going to change a poor body image or low self esteem. But it's not just women who have to deal with unrealistic expectations of "looking good." Ever been with a gaggle of women drooling over Matthew McConna-what'shisface or any of the other Hollywood pretty boys with their washboard abs and low I.Q's? It's not a pretty sight. Imagine having to live up to THAT ideal. But as I like to say, so what if the pretty boys have six-packs? I've got a whole keg!