Is Thin Still In?

As my family and I celebrate my parents and the 50 years they have been together, we pause to enjoy hearing many stories of their past.

The black and white photos, flat top hair styles and hoop skirts are proof that much has changed since 1962.

My mother also saved some newspaper clippings from the day that gave us more evidence of how that generation viewed good health.

Probably not surprising to some, skinny was not in. In fact, the ad that I read was promoting a weight gain solution. It showed a picture of a rather bony woman next to a voluptuous one. The skinny woman, much like Hollywood actresses today, looked sick.

The picture of the woman who had gained weight – ON PURPOSE – looked great. Her skin was filled out. She had beautiful womanly curves and looked healthier.

So what has happened in the last 50 years that has caused this shift in our thinking and behaviors? When did it become fashionable to be at a weight that is so thin that teenage girls are killing themselves to attain?

Some say it began with Twiggy. With a name like that you can easily imagine what she looked like. Apparently she had enough fame and power to set the trend for years to come.

In the 1960s the styles began to change as well. Mini-skirts and form fitting dresses were all the rage. To accommodate for these styles, women had to change their bodies.

Tragically the curvy shapes of Marilyn Monroe became less attractive while the small hips, buttocks and breast became “beautiful.”

This trend led to eating disorders like the one Karen Carpenter was plagued with that eventually led to her death.

The women’s rights movement could have attributed to these new fads as well. While women revolted against the traditional roles they were once given, they rebelled by making physical changes as well.

Like all styles and trends, thankfully, history will repeat itself. Perhaps it is time to celebrate women again. We can embrace how we were made, reclaim the traditional roles of the past and start a new revolution.

Happy 50th Mom and Dad – and thanks for the reminder!