The media has successfully created their version of the ideal woman, known as the “Superwoman,” and splattered her on every ad and article. She has what every woman could possibly want according to these magazines: beauty, career, love, kids. How-to articles teach female readers how to be her and photoshopped models show readers how to look like her.
This “Superwoman” is also commonly referred to as the postmodern feminist. She goes after what she wants, but she does it all to please men. This Superwoman wants to look her best, so she works out and eats right, in the hopes of attracting a man. Superwoman is independent, and has even established her own career, but she doesn’t feel fulfilled without a man by her side.
Who is this Superwoman? Well, you might be surprised to find out that she doesn’t exist. That’s because no woman, or human, is perfect. Despite the media telling you that the perfect blowout, eyebrow arch, date night outfit, and man can be achieved by Superwoman, this simply isn’t the case.
Instead of celebrating women’s flaws, magazines are forcing readers to focus on what makes them not pretty, skinny, smart, or flirty enough. Women are constantly told how to look and be better, rather than being told they are fine the way they are. Occasionally, an article will pop up instructing readers on “how to love the skin they’re in,” but it’s usually placed next to an ad of an unachievable, beautiful model.
Superwoman doesn’t exist because women are still figuring it out. It shouldn’t be solely up to women to fix their relationship problems or change the way they dress to get noticed. We’re complex beings. This means that some days we want to be left alone while others we want to be cuddled with all day. We change our minds as often as we change our outfits. So what?
In the spirit of the month of February, I say we start celebrating and loving our complexity and imperfection. I love being a woman, yes I do, I love being a woman — how about you?
