[Magic_Mikki]

I was just reading a bit from my Sociology textbook, and came across some nasty stuff that actually happens in our society!

**In 2003, a sales manager for L'Oreal cosmetics company was dismissed because she refused to fire a saleswoman in a Macy's department store who wasn't considered attractive enough.
**A casino in Atlantic City warns it's cocktail waitresses that if they gain more than 10% of their current body weight, they'd be suspended without pay for 90 days while they tried to lose the extra pounds. If their weight loss efforts are unsuccessful, they'd be fired.
**A 5 foot, 8 inch 240lb fitness instructor who was rejected by Jazzercize because she didn't meet the company's requirement that instructors "look trim" . She was told in a letter that "Jazzercize sells fittness. Consequently, a Jazzercise applicant must have a high muscle-to-fat ratio and look leaner than the public."
**Every year, a growing number of affluent women undergo dangerous cosmetic foot surgery to reduce the size of their toes so that they can fit into today's fashionable, narrow high-heeled shoes.
**The top heaviest 10% of the American society earns an average of 7.4% less in salary than their nonobese peers. The heaviest 1% earns 11.4% less.
**One study found that mothers of so-called "attractive" children take better care of these children. (WHAT????) One part of the study was done in a grocery store where mothers were studied, and those with so-called "attractive" children buckled their kids into the cart more often than those with kids who aren't considered as attrative. (This one is just BOZO!!! Every child is beautiful! This angers me!)

Can you believe this crazy junk?? This world is getting ridiculous!! Since when do we live in a society where our success in our jobs and as a mother have to do with how attractive we are, or how attractive our kids are, or how skinny we are, etc. I understand that a fitness instructor is going to have a few guidelines, but this Jazzercise story was WAY out of line!

[Labhaoise]

wow, that is harsh. I do agree about the Jazzercise one though. But it is ridiculous about the the waitresses though. grrr people are so stupid!!

[mcmama]

This seems to be an oversimplification.

I really expect a coach, dance, excercise, etc to be trim - maybe not impossibly so, but the muscle to fat ration makes sense. And cocktail waitresses are expected to wear skimpy costumes, and fit in tight places. Looking sexy is part of the entertainment. Now, if this rule applied to flight attendants ( as it did in the past) it would be wacky.

I have known affluent women whose faces are actually uglier with botox. They can afford it so they go in for the latest thing money no object, and no one tells them to stop. Dumb.

As for why the heaviest people earn less - I think you can look at health for that. When your belly is scraping your knees, it is difficult to get up a lot of energy and focus which is involved in earning top dollars. And you have health issues young.

As for moms and attractive children - I really doubt this. And there are probably some other issues that need to be explored in the setting of a supermarket over time, such as time of day, education level, number of children, etc. The study is likely flawed.

[MissyChrissy]

Every day there are awful things going on...it is unbelievable what people will subject others to.

[vanaden]

It doesn't suprise me a bit...this world grows more evil by the second.

[DivasMomma]

At my job I see things that are sad like this everday....a woman came in with 3 kids, 2 girls and a boy. The boy was very handsome and one of the girls (younger) was VERY pretty. The older girl just looked as if she were going through her "awkward" stage. She was a little heavier then the rest and just seemed out of place. It didnt help that the mother was GUSHING over the other two and didnt say a darn word to the oldest

it was sad, so i started taking single pics of her and telling her she looked beautiful

[jkvkdailey]

With years of personal experience on the topic of morbid obesity, I could rant for days about the unfairness of our society. But then again, I am a part of that society so all I can do is project a positive influence on my peers and children.

Topping out at 292 lbs, I know that I was judged unfairly by my outward appearance. I also take offense to the fact that someone should make less because of "health reasons". That is crap. I have always been a very hard worker (both mentally and physically) and quite physically active, I played recreational softball for 10 years (before the kids' activities started interfering). Since I have had gastric bypass surgery (for ME, not for society), I know that people treat me differently - both those who knew me before and by people who have never known I was obese.

Ah Michelle, I will stop before I crawl up on my soap box and can't get off. The bottom line is - YES, life isn't fair. But instead of spending millions of dollars creating reports that tell us what we already know (or just make us even more upset), why don't these people invest their money into child advocacy programs or educational programs that teach our children to love EVERYONE.

Hoping for a better world (but not holding my breath).

Kim

[mcmama]

Advocacy is good - but having weighed 211 pounds AFTER surgery to remove my female innards and a three pound tumor, and then gaining weight after the surgery to top out at 223 lbs and diabetes - I have to tell you that losing the weight is a struggle, but I am healthier and more energetic. And way more focused and productive. It isn't about being lazy, it's about the long term. And at 53, I think I've dealt with long term heaviness long enough. It doesn't come off now as easily as it did in my 20s.

The health issues catch up with you as you age. Doesn't mean that you have to be a skinny minnie - most of us would kill ourselves trying to attain that. But it does mean that we have to face reality.

The best reasons to do something about it is to do it for ourselves, not to please others.

We've got an epidemic of morbid obesity and diabetes going on, and we all have to get serious about it. At my age, I feel like I am just getting started - too young to die!!!

Rhianna, I have seen favoritism in my own family - my ex preferred the oldest boy to the youngest - more about who he thought he could mold in his own image, rather than deal with a unique kid. It is not always about who is prettiest, but often narcissistic parents will fawn over whichever child satisfies their ego. You did right to build the girl up. I'll bet you took beautiful pictures!

[ForEverEnchanted]

I believe everything the op posted. There is actually a case going on in California about a woman who was a waitress the placed in the kitchen because she gained 5 lbs. The owners didn't want her seen by the customers. I also heard about the women getting surgery to fit in shoes which is very very extreme materialistic to me.

[DivasMomma]

Originally Posted by mcmama

Rhianna, I have seen favoritism in my own family - my ex preferred the oldest boy to the youngest - more about who he thought he could mold in his own image, rather than deal with a unique kid. It is not always about who is prettiest, but often narcissistic parents will fawn over whichever child satisfies their ego. You did right to build the girl up. I'll bet you took beautiful pictures!

its sad...every child is gorgeous in their own way...and yes, her pics turned out the best! but thats because i took my time with her haha