![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Caught in passing
2008-12-31 00:19Just came back from watching Quantum of Solace with my sister and saw the end of an episode of Ghost Whisperer.
This one seemed to be about getting a mother to accept that her constant criticism of her daughter's appearance had driven her to the plastic surgery. Was annoyed the blame seemed heaped entirely on the mother and no acknowledgement of other relevant social pressures (but I only saw the end so maybe...) but what I am writing about is what happened after they saved the day.
The lead and her presumed boyfriend were snuggled up together in bed, talking about helping out ghosts. The lead said this one was easy on the eyes, the guy agreed. Then there was a pause in the momentum of the scene and she turned to look at him. He said something like "But the most beautiful woman in my life is right here."
It struck me that perceived physical attractiveness is promoted as a gauge for how well a woman is liked. It seems like, despite the ostensible message of this episode it carries another: that perceived physical beauty is the measure of a man's fondness for her and that women must be reassured no one else is seen as more physically attractive by their partner in order to feel secure in his love.
This one seemed to be about getting a mother to accept that her constant criticism of her daughter's appearance had driven her to the plastic surgery. Was annoyed the blame seemed heaped entirely on the mother and no acknowledgement of other relevant social pressures (but I only saw the end so maybe...) but what I am writing about is what happened after they saved the day.
The lead and her presumed boyfriend were snuggled up together in bed, talking about helping out ghosts. The lead said this one was easy on the eyes, the guy agreed. Then there was a pause in the momentum of the scene and she turned to look at him. He said something like "But the most beautiful woman in my life is right here."
It struck me that perceived physical attractiveness is promoted as a gauge for how well a woman is liked. It seems like, despite the ostensible message of this episode it carries another: that perceived physical beauty is the measure of a man's fondness for her and that women must be reassured no one else is seen as more physically attractive by their partner in order to feel secure in his love.
