Reply #29: good question

[noiretextatique]

you touched on the answer, to some degree. a part of the problem is what's considered "the norm," and of course that varies, but women do perpetuate it. someone mentioned this in a thread last week...how women force their daughter's to have their genitals mutilated. of course this person failed to mention that this is a cultural norm that has everything to do with how what men find pleasurable and acceptable, so women who aren't mutliated aren't considered "normal" or "desirable." the same with foot-binding...and breast implants. women do act as agents and collaborators in perpetuating misogynistic practices, but the problem is with cultures that consider woman in her natural state "wrong."
and as long as "catching a man" is considered the ultimate prize, more valuable even than good self-esteem...some women will continue to value that mora than even themselves.

i am glad you have such a healthy sense of yourself, and that you are able to mirror that for your friends...and your mother. :toast: to you, kitkatrose.