As weird as it may sound, I think we men have been as hurt by the marketing of a single standard of what is beautiful in a woman as have the women. We get the message that our manliness is judged by the "hotness" of the women with us against a cookie-cutter criterion of the centerfold in a famous magazine (who have, over the years, become increasingly products of the surgeon's knife rather than their genes). The reality is that most of us (I believe) have much more eclectic and inclusive personal standards of beauty in women and ones that go beyond the simply physical aspects as well. Certainly we can appreciate a classical beauty in the traditional sense but we can also appreciate, and often prefer, an "imperfect" body, a slightly crooked smile, a non-button nose, etc if it houses a sharp mind or a great sense of humor or an inherent sweetness of character. Yet, say anything like that in high school, college, or a locker room and the derision will rain down in a knee-jerk reaction like you are back in grade school and "got cooties". One of the things I like about OCC is that the guys (and gals) here seem willing to express appreciation for beauty in many forms, possibly due to the same anonymity of web-life. In any case, you are both brave and kind to share yourself with us here and it is appreciated. True beauty will find a way to be seen.
|