Tuesday, October 9, 2012

the case against bimbo pretty

Lots of discussions around my house on how to raise women of substance. I'm adding this to the conversation. I would link to the video but there's a big f-bomb in it. Google it if you want, it's pretty powerful, bad word notwithstanding.

“This, this is about my own some-day daughter. When you approach me, already stung-stayed with insecurity, begging, “Mom, will I be pretty? Will I be pretty?” I will wipe that question from your mouth like cheap lipstick and answer, “No! The word pretty is unworthy of everything you will be, and no child of mine will be contained in five letters. “You will be pretty intelligent, pretty creative, pretty amazing. But you, will never be merely ‘pretty’.”

--Katie Makkai (Pretty)

Being pretty is not any kind of achievement, really. And if it is all a woman has to recommend her then it becomes frustratingly painful when the looks go. And go they will. We all lose our youth, age fades us all.

But here's the thing, my whole life I have been surrounded by beautiful women. My mother was lovely and my own daughters, too. I have nieces, sisters in law, all of them very attractive. Physical beauty does draw you in at first glance.

But believe me when I say that there better be something behind that pretty face, because it really is only character and competence and caring that matters or endures.

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