One of the girls had just returned from a getaway to South America and began to share stories with us all of the adventures she had (when the conversation began with the exciting news of her engagement with her new fiancee - it was heading in a super energetic and enthusiastic direction quite quickly!).
We started talking about how different the 'body confidence' culture between women in Australia/the US/UK is compared to the South American and Latino culture.
My gorgeous, yoga loving friend was explaining how she wanted to go and buy some bikini's (as you do when you're in a beach lined, tropical weathered country holidaying with 'the man of your dreams!'). She trawled through the entire country (or I should say countries as it was a 'roaming adventure holiday and South America is very large for those who have recently checked out a map!) searching from store to store, trying to find something that covered her bottom (and not just her 'crack') and something that fit her breast area. But nope - no luck!
Obviously the common body shape differs between cultures and backgrounds of people, but it was still a hot topic to speak about amoungst us girls when they're boobs are often much LARGER, and their bottoms much BIGGER - but they only sell SMALLER bikinis!
We started reminiscing about our experiences from our own holidays about the confidence level of many South American (particularly Brazilian and Argentinian) women and men.
The curves and shape of a woman is seen as beautiful the more shape you have. Here; it has almost become a culture of having NO curves and being quite flat in the stomach, 'booty' and chest area as women strive to be thing.
The women over there will be more than comfortable walking the streets in skin tight, short dresses, tony denim shorts with NO top or even just their bikini's with some nice heels. That is normal. Women accept and love their shape, no matter what size and thrive on the love and attention they get from passers by.
The men over there love the openness of women (and other men I might add), their ability to love their shape, their figure, their own souls and to be so willing to share this love with all of their friends, family and acquaintences.
The affection and body contact shown in the South American culture is far different to that seen in even the 'cheesiest' clubs around Australia. I must admit, when I was over there, I was very reserved and shy initially when complete strangers would come up to me to dance the salsa and tango; rubbing their bodies against mine and looking your directly into your eyes. It was quite intimidating and uncomfortable initially.
The thing is - they are so connected with their body and soul that they are able to appreciate and speak to each other through their eyes, their expressions, their body and that makes communication so much more powerful than typing on someones facebook or instagram account!
you can only imagine the environment that the little girls of that culture would grow up into. They grow up dancing, moving their body to show their emotions, singing out loud, laughing with their eyes and enjoying just being alive.
Yet - in the culture that has developed in our country (and many other westernized cultures), our daughters have grown into a world where they learn to be as 'perfect' as the models and celebrities in the movies they watch or as high pressured and severely lacking in self esteem as their own mothers or women role models speak about diets, sugar and counting calories.
How much can we learn from the women of these South American nations? More than we could ever hope to imagine. A world where women and society in general embrace individuality, shape, love and enjoyment over perfectionism, high achieving and 'fitspo' stereotyped instagram culture - just take a moment to reflect on which you would rather bring your own daughters (both now and in the future) into.
I certainly know which I would rather.
It doesn't take much to start looking around and taking note of the rising mental health issues, eating disorders and low body confidence issues that surround us each day. I highly doubt that there are many (or any) of you that have not been touched in some way by a friend or family member who has suffered the agony of one of the above which is partly something society is responsible for.
Perhaps it's time to take a moment to reflect on how you view your own selves; your body, spirit, mind and personality and how you take care of it.
What needs to change to be able to live freely, with a healthy self image, confidence and enthusiasm for life to go and chase your dreams.
What would can you do to change this culture? to change yourself? and to ultimately change the world?
Xxx
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