What characterizes the modern woman? Compared to our fore-mothers it seems the modern woman has a plethora of choice when it comes to career and lifestyle.
But is this really the case, or are women just as shackled by society's ideals? Popular media portrays the female human population as all underweight and forever young, what are women doing to balance the scales? Close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful women you have ever seen.
What does she look like? Is she skinny? Many argue that it is not wrong for a woman to be healthy and fit, but is that the message females are receiving? Recent research shows that girls as young as 3-4 years of age are becoming uncharacteristically concerned with their appearance.
What is happening to our young daughters, granddaughters and nieces? Do we really want them to believe they are only beautiful if they are skinny? Across the board, all woman suffer from the media's overemphasis on skinny models.
Studies have shown that regardless of a woman's weight and level of attractiveness, she will always feel less self-confident after reading fashion magazines.
So what are we doing about it? Typically models and movie stars are public enemy number one when it comes to helping women have positive self images.
But is the tide turning? Spain made a bold stand in 2006 with its ban on underweight models for Madrid fashion week.
More recently, a handful of popular stars are proudly parading their full bodied hips and bottoms on the red carpet.
A small band of models and editors have mutinied the glossy magazine battalion, portraying an increasing number of plus models in plus size designer clothes on front covers.
Added to this are designers who specially cater for woman with rounded figures.
"Woman of all sizes are entitled to feel sophisticated and sassy," says Darrianne Donnelly, an Australian designer.
"In the past, if you were a "larger lady", it was unthinkable that you would want to look anything but cuddly - all you could get were tent-like nighties, or PJs with teddy bears plastered all over them.
If we want to wear rainbow printed flannel to bed we can, but if we choose to wear something silky and feminine that makes us feel like a woman that should be available and affordable too ".
Since 2008 Darrianne is one of the emerging designers that caters for woman from size 8 to 34.
Women are also starting online forums, directories and magazines aimed for ladies with real figures.
Whatever size a woman is, she really needs to consider her moral responsibility to our younger generation.
With these little ones in mind, we each need to re-shape our true feelings of what it means to be a beautiful woman.
But is this really the case, or are women just as shackled by society's ideals? Popular media portrays the female human population as all underweight and forever young, what are women doing to balance the scales? Close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful women you have ever seen.
What does she look like? Is she skinny? Many argue that it is not wrong for a woman to be healthy and fit, but is that the message females are receiving? Recent research shows that girls as young as 3-4 years of age are becoming uncharacteristically concerned with their appearance.
What is happening to our young daughters, granddaughters and nieces? Do we really want them to believe they are only beautiful if they are skinny? Across the board, all woman suffer from the media's overemphasis on skinny models.
Studies have shown that regardless of a woman's weight and level of attractiveness, she will always feel less self-confident after reading fashion magazines.
So what are we doing about it? Typically models and movie stars are public enemy number one when it comes to helping women have positive self images.
But is the tide turning? Spain made a bold stand in 2006 with its ban on underweight models for Madrid fashion week.
More recently, a handful of popular stars are proudly parading their full bodied hips and bottoms on the red carpet.
A small band of models and editors have mutinied the glossy magazine battalion, portraying an increasing number of plus models in plus size designer clothes on front covers.
Added to this are designers who specially cater for woman with rounded figures.
"Woman of all sizes are entitled to feel sophisticated and sassy," says Darrianne Donnelly, an Australian designer.
"In the past, if you were a "larger lady", it was unthinkable that you would want to look anything but cuddly - all you could get were tent-like nighties, or PJs with teddy bears plastered all over them.
If we want to wear rainbow printed flannel to bed we can, but if we choose to wear something silky and feminine that makes us feel like a woman that should be available and affordable too ".
Since 2008 Darrianne is one of the emerging designers that caters for woman from size 8 to 34.
Women are also starting online forums, directories and magazines aimed for ladies with real figures.
Whatever size a woman is, she really needs to consider her moral responsibility to our younger generation.
With these little ones in mind, we each need to re-shape our true feelings of what it means to be a beautiful woman.