Will I be pretty?

I find the idea that women will mutilate themselves to 'improve' their looks, horrifying. If a girl or woman slashes their arms or otherwise damages themselves in a non attractive way we call it 'self harm' and encourage them to seek treatment to deal with their problems. Where is the difference?

My DD has been cared for by a brilliant team of plastic surgeons for nearly two years who are trying to rebuild her arm after it was badly damaged in a road accident. That is what plastic surgeons should be doing, not helping women mutilate their bodies in pursuit of male approval.

The most important thing is to give our children confidence and a feeling of being ok, and not ever make them feel that looks are the most important thing. having said that I have been guilty of telling my Granddaughter how pretty she is, but I also praise her in other ways. I find that people I know who have had plastic surgery always want more, it's never enough.

Sure you will be and have to use the fine class of products, diet and exercise as well along with it.

Thanks, baubles, that's some tirade but it's reminded me that although she is pretty, I must always tell my GD that she's something else too - bright, creative, determined...

But does it j08? It depends on the reasons but I have my doubts.

I'm not against plastic surgery if it makes a woman happy.

Wow she is something else! what a brilliant performer. I do think the USA is worse about this than we are. My big objection is that it raises artificial standards for what is considered beauty.
Like the row at Crufts a few years ago about how tastes in breed standards for Dogs had led to disabilty being caused by breeding to fit these artificial standards.

Yes and perfect has to be achieved through surgery or it's not good enough. This clip is over 10 years old, and in the last ten years I think the UK has become closer to the US in its attitudes and rates of cosmetic surgery. It's a very sad indictment of our society's views of women.

These days pretty is not enough – girls and young women have to perfect, whatever perfect is. Older woman (that's from about 30) have to look young or keep out of sight.

And you will never convince women that it's not important to be pretty. Or stop them feeling miserable when they feel unattractive.

I don't think we go that far in this country, especially with the plastic surgery, but you will never stop women wanting to be attractive. And because there are so many aids to that goal out there in the shops, they are bound to go all out to achieve this. #twaseverthus

Wow baubles that certainly made me think. Is pretty a word that should be banned from use with daughters? Or granddaughters? Or at least applied with a great deal more thought?