In the nude! what do you think?

[stickyalvinroll]

people are not that stupid are they? if your not a model, then your simply not. these women, girls will realize it one day that they will not and cannot look like the models in magazines. airbrushing does not make a big difference either. it is still their face their body. so the best thing for these below-average looking woman is better start reading a lot of books and do good in school not worrying about their appearance.

[Raptor]

Clearly, you've never seen what photoshop can do.

[TheWinWizard]

I don't mind a little baggage, I don't want to see rolls of fat bouncing around as they walk down the street.

[sissysnakes]

I have really enjoyed everyones comments so far!

Now for my two cents: For all you guys hatin on tall women you dont know what you are missing! lol lol

It is not just our girls who are effected by the media and the overall absurd concept of a "feminine" figure. I remember a great amount of teasing from boys in JH and High School and later even boyfriends (in HS) centered around girls who did not fit the mold. I think it is wonderful that you want to educate your girls on body image, but I think the boys often need some educating as well. They are effected just as much as our girls, and can have an effect on our girls with out knowing any better.

Not to mention men also get pressured to look a certain way, i had a friend in school who became anorexic and had to leave. He got teased so much for being fat that he stopped eating, and he wasn't fat to begin with. I know that it is unusual for men to develop these types of disorders, but the message is still there.

[MrLang]

I really like how this devolved quite quickly into guys saying what they like appearance wise in a woman. Very good way to make women who don't meet the general "like" of curvy, feel insecure about themselves.

The thread is created by a woman and discussing female body image. What other way would a man chime in than to explain their point of view towards women? Should we just say 'you're beautiful inside no matter what!' I did not get the impression that was the goal of the thread. People are being honest. Most of the men chiming in are more or less saying that looks aren't as important as most women and the media make them out to be, anyway.

[rasslinrinyu]

Marilyn Monroe = hot I think that explains how my view on body image.

In the words of Forrest Gump: "And thats all I got to say about that"

[Raptor]

The thread is created by a woman and discussing female body image. What other way would a man chime in than to explain their point of view towards women? Should we just say 'you're beautiful inside no matter what!' I did not get the impression that was the goal of the thread. People are being honest. Most of the men chiming in are more or less saying that looks aren't as important as most women and the media make them out to be, anyway.

If looks aren't important, then why the need to say "I like x"?

My statement wasn't one that was formed from this thread alone. I browse many forums, and this isn't the first time I've seen a conversation such as this pop up. In the rest of them, the general consensus was that curvy = good, everything else = bad.

Since we're being honest, here's my take on things. If you've got kickin' curves, awesome. Guys are going to be all over you. If you don't, well, too bad, so sad. Regardless of what people are trying to say, looks are important. It's a proven scientific fact. We're genetically hardwired to find certain shapes attractive. Unfortunately, those that aren't lucky enough to get the genes get kicked to the curb.

[Anna.Sitarski]

Look i get both sides going on here but i am tired of saying real women have curves.. i am a real woman i am 5'10" i weigh 120-130lbs. It works i am healthy.. yes i have been a model, have done runways .. i do watch what i eat but i also feel better when my diet is clean not say i don't love food and cooking. Like the guys have said everyone has their preferences and anything on the extreme of fat or skinny is out of the norm of attraction which is fine. But just as much as its wrong to pick on women that are larger, don't pick on the skinny girls either. If we are healthy its ok. I am tall and its hard to find guys ok with it or as tall as or taller than me. I also understand my body type isn't for every man/woman. I know what i like and someone can be attractive without being what I am attracted to. Variety is teh spice of life. As long as we are healthy no one should be that concerned unless you want their number

[Skittles1101]

I think either way a woman needs to be comfortable in her own skin. I know, I know! Easier said than done! I'm probably in the best shape that I have been since before having my son 6 years ago, but I still look in the mirror and see flaws! I'm 5'6" and have been as skinny as 115 lbs (pre-child lol) and as heavy as 200 lbs (post-child lol). I am now sitting comfortably at about 135-140 lbs. I know how hard it is to be a bean pole and how difficult it is to be heavy. I think no matter where women are on their scale they will see their flaws, usually 10x worse than they actually are. Some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen have no shape to them, and some were very heavy! Beauty is how you carry yourself. I have seen some super model standard women that were the ugliest backstabbing female dogs I've ever met. I may not be 100% comfortable with how I look all the time, but I sure can sleep at night knowing that I am a decent, hardworking, caring human being.

[RoseyReps]

If looks aren't important, then why the need to say "I like x"?

My statement wasn't one that was formed from this thread alone. I browse many forums, and this isn't the first time I've seen a conversation such as this pop up. In the rest of them, the general consensus was that curvy = good, everything else = bad.

Since we're being honest, here's my take on things. If you've got kickin' curves, awesome. Guys are going to be all over you. If you don't, well, too bad, so sad. Regardless of what people are trying to say, looks are important. It's a proven scientific fact. We're genetically hardwired to find certain shapes attractive. Unfortunately, those that aren't lucky enough to get the genes get kicked to the curb.

This imo, is a perfect example of how NOT to live. I'm a small girl. 5'3, 105lbs. By no means "curvy". I used to have a low self esteem like I am assuming you do (I apologize if my assumption is incorrect, but your demeanor in your posts have been that of someone who doesn't find worth in themselves) This thread didn't "devolve" into what men like, it's just men can't sit there and say how the media makes them feel about themselves as a women (you know..since they aren't) And most women aren't going to sit there and say what they think is attractive in another women, because most of them aren't attracted to women..So everyone's comments have been pretty on par with a thread such as this thus far. (I cannot speak for the other forums from which you say you've read similar threads obviously)

So guys on a forum like curvy women. So what? Being a tiny person myself, I never felt I was "kicked to the curb" because I wasn't large breasted and plump bootied. There are PLENTY of men out there, good men, who are attracted to every shape. I think the reasoning behind most men coming out in a thread like this saying how they like curves has nothing to do with everything else being sub par. But more about them proving to the OP that not all men like the super skinny chicks like the media likes to show.

I'll be 100% honest here, I did have a low self esteem with my first husband. He told me every day how I was lucky to have him, and how no one else would be interested in me. After hearing that for 4 years you start to believe it. When I finally woke up and left him, I did a lot of soul searching. (mind you, mostly in the form of bar hopping and excessive partying..) Anyways, I realized there where a whole slew of men who would be happy to have me. (no I don't mean like THAT...I mean guys interested in me and dating etc ) My self esteem started to come back up and I felt great. Then I met my husband Bill, and from that moment on my self esteem was much higher. I felt good about myself. I discussed it with him, and I went and got breast implants a while after having my second kiddo. It was a mommy's day present to myself, and though Bill didn't want me to do it, he knew it would make me feel that much better about myself. I didn't do it because I thought guys would like it more, I did it because it's what I wanted. It's what I wanted to see when I looked in the mirror, and I really don't give a hoot what others think. I didn't go crazy, and people who didn't know me pre op are super surprised when/if they find out. Does this make me a bad person and fake? Well, not to me. It might to you, or people in general, but honestly, I don't care. I am who I am, and as long as I'm happy with what I see in the mirror, I will not let anyone bring me down. Never again.

If you are unhappy with yourself, fix it. Don't let other people tell you what men want, in the end, who cares what men want. I care what I want, and I found a man who wants that too. Woot! When you are happy with yourself, you shine. Whether you're 100lbs, or 300lbs. You SHINE. Confidence and self esteem are worth more than anything. After all, how can you expect to love another, when you can't even love yourself? (I know I stole that line from somewhere, but I can't remember...so...whoops)

And Raptor, this whole reply wasn't meant directly at you. It's just your comments about devolving, and getting kicked to the curb metaphorically, reminded me so much of something I would have said 6 years ago...
Yes, looks are important. To a degree. They are the first impression. That doesn't mean that one type looks better than another, that is all based entirely on opinion. Looks are the cover of the book, they get your attention, but what's on the inside is what keeps your gaze and gets you to keep turning pages.

Sorry for the baggage dump LOL *packs up*