Body Image

Oh, pubic hair. One of those subjects that, when brought up, generally kick-starts a furious debate about which option (shaved, trimmed, left alone) is the most attractive, the most empowered, the most hygienic, etc. And, depending on how much you follow this debate, you may end up feeling like no…

Ever since puberty, I found my body to be a site of shame, something I desperately wanted to escape. A transplant to predominantly white Catholic schools on Long Island, I was immediately deemed ugly. I had an older sister, but we were close enough in age that we were navigating puberty around the same time. As second-generation daughters of immigrant parents, we were on our own as far as navigating the personal and social meanings of our bodies.

I think this is a really great question, and I admire how honestly you’ve asked something that leaves people feeling so vulnerable. It’s something we’ve had others bring up or ask about over the years, so it’s definitely relevant to more people than just yourself. And that includes people who did…

Feeling low about your body and how it looks? Thinking about, or already doing, some drastic things to try and change it? You’re not alone. But you can get to a better place with your body and how you feel about it without doing anything that keeps you feeling just as bad, or puts your physical or mental health at risk. Here’s some ways to ditch the die(t)s and go for the happy, healthy do’s.

(Porte’s question continued) I’m ashamed of my body. I’m scared of showing him. All my life I’ve been made fun of for being ‘fat’ my whole life basically. I don’t care what people say about me anymore (usually) and I like myself. Kinda. I don’t think of myself as like…this huge chick who stuffs…

Let’s get the health issues out of the way first, since there really aren’t any big ones. The only important or potentially big health risk shaving may pose is if you shave, then have genital sex of any kind with a partner very soon afterwards. That’s because the small nicks, scrapes and minor…

For starters, congratulations for seeking treatment and starting on your road to recovery. You deserve major recognition for that; it’s not easy but taking those first steps are so important, if hard, and I’m really proud of you! My quick answer to your two questions is that you are definitely not…

Bravo to you for loving the way your girlfriend looks and seeing her beauty, both inner and outer! The truth of the matter is that many women are uncomfortable with their bodies and this starts at an amazingly young age. We (of all genders, though women are often targeted) are bombarded with media…

(CMH’s question continued) He likes petite girls, as do most guys. I am tall (for a woman) and big. I weigh over 200 pounds, though I carry it well. I do not have a pretty face, though I would not call it ugly. It is also not particularly interesting. He told me that even though I have a good…

Who says you’re not as hot as someone who weighs less than you, gal? In other words, it’s entirely possible this guy is attracted to a hot girl: you. Not everyone shares the same aesthetics when it comes to who we’re attracted to, nor does everyone subscribe to a given set of beauty ideals or…