Daily, women are bombarded with unrealistic expectations of how they should look, dress and feel; but where does it stop?

Unreasonable images of the perfect body unfairly portray the ‘ideal woman' and sends conflicting messages about our bodies. We (women) are expected to go to any lengths to shape and mold ourselves to fit the ideal as deemed by society. But what if the ideal is an unreachable goal that is unattainable?

Women should have more common sense and understand we are more than a pair of legs and a cute smile. Yet, many women define themselves only by their exterior, provided they feel that is in fact what is most important.

Is that really a surprising fact? Perhaps not. Truth is, it is our outer core that is first to be noticed and judged upon.

Ultimately, it is how comfortable you show you are in your own skin that will surpass any flaw on your body.

Did you know...quick facts;

- If shop mannequins were real women, they'd be too thin to menstruate.

- There are three billion women who don't look like supermodels ... and eight who do.

- Marilyn Monroe wore between a size 12 and a size 16.

- If Barbie were a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions.

- The average American woman weighs 144 lbs. and wears between a size 12 and 14.

- One out of every four college-aged women has an eating disorder.

- The models in the magazines are airbrushed: they are not perfect!
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.