This isn’t an uncommon greeting from one of my friends.
Trust me, he doesn’t mean to hurt—but somehow, he always does. He’s not a mean
guy; in fact, he’s one of those friends I can call in the middle of the night
for help. But that’s just his way of talking—not just with me, but with
everyone.
I’ve tried explaining to him that this sort of comment is body
shaming and that it’s neither kind nor funny. But he just waves me off,
insisting it’s all harmless fun.
The truth? He’s far from alone. Comments like these are
ingrained in our everyday conversations, especially among women. Often, they
come from people who claim to mean well. Think about it—how many times have you
heard a relative or a friend casually drop a remark like, “Your dress seems tighter.
Gained weight, huh?”
For me, it’s my aunt. She never fails to greet me with, “Enna
nalla sappadare pole irukke?!” (Translation: “You seem to be eating
well!”) I know she doesn’t mean harm, but every time she says it, it kills
any enthusiasm I might have had for the conversation.
What makes this worse is the impact these seemingly harmless
remarks leave on us. They make us question ourselves, constantly striving to be
slimmer, fairer, leaner—or whatever society decides is “better” that day. For
women, the pressure to look good is endless—whether for their partners, their
families, or society at large.
This pressure feels relentless, especially in the age of
social media. Whether it’s to please a partner, impress society, or gather
likes on Instagram, the expectation to look good never lets up. For young
women, bombarded by flawless influencers and filtered reels, it can feel
suffocating. Only a few brave ones break free, embracing their bodies for what
they truly are—real, raw, and unapologetic.
Recently, I stumbled upon an article that took this issue to
a whole new level of absurdity. It was about vaginal rejuvenation therapies—tightening
tablets, whitening gels, and even LED light therapy for down there. The
tagline? “Do it right, keep it tight.”
Yes, you read that correctly.
The market for such products reached a staggering $3.5
billion in 2023, with projections to grow by 22% by 2030. On one hand, it’s
encouraging to see women’s sexual health being discussed openly. But on the
other, the message these products send is deeply troubling.
What’s even more shocking is why women opt for these
procedures: to impress and satisfy their partners. Many don’t realize the risks
they’re taking—side effects like burns, scarring, and pain. The US FDA issued
warnings against such unregulated products back in 2018, highlighting the
dangers they pose.
What truly startled me was learning that this isn’t just an
urban phenomenon. Women from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, influenced by social
media and reality shows, are buying these products online without medical
advice—all in an attempt to please their men.
The most striking part of the article was a quote from a
doctor. He shared the story of a client who wanted to "fix" her
vagina, hoping it would stop her husband from having affairs with other women.
In response, he posed a question that lingers long after you hear it:
"If you’re doing this only for your partner, would a
man do the same for you?"
A powerful question, indeed.
This relentless pursuit of approval—whether from society,
social media, or even loved ones—needs to stop. These pressures, these
expectations, these “harmless” comments—they’re not so harmless after all. They
chip away at our confidence, making us feel like we’re never enough.
But here’s the truth: We are enough. Just as we are.
Look good for yourself, and only yourself—never for others.
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Comments