English 101/108 173
You’re Ideals or Mine?
For me as a child, there were a lot of people that made fun of me. They laughed at how fat and tall I was, they teased at the clothes I wore, and took advantage of my kind nature. Every part of me was broken down; their words followed me wherever I went, hovering over me. Much like the girl in Marge Piercy's poem, "Barbie doll" I know that feeling of wanting to being accepted, at that point in my life, I'd do anything to be a part of the "in crowd". Too many young girls are yanked into this idea that they aren’t like this, this or that they’re unworthy and unattractive. Piercy accurately addresses the pressure of our society's ideals; young girls are left feeling insecure, pressured and are willing to dramatically change themselves to fit our society’s ideals.
Insecurity: as a child I didn’t know what it was. I look back on the things I’ve done, and I see it, but more so I remember when I thought it was normal to feel that way. Because of other people’s words, I despised the way that I looked; and I’d do almost anything to change myself. But my family wasn’t full of money, there was nothing I could do, yet in some sense I’m happy of that. Every person is beautiful in their own way, even if you don’t think so. The girl in Piercy's poem was intelligent and strong but all of that was over looked for her flaws. She exercised, dieted, and smile; until her good nature, motivation and will power caved in; she had surgery to look like the other people around her, terminating the person that she used to be and becoming a “copy “of everyone else.
Becoming a copy, losing the person you’ve been along, just to be adored by all. The pressure of it can take its total; it can made someone realize things; help them come into the light. Or it can lead them onto a path of darkness; unhealthy eating,