I’m Starting a Movement- No more bras!
Before I dig into this subject, let me just ask you this. Try to read this without sexualizing it? I know it’s a big ask. After all, we are human and for the most part we have all been domesticated. The truth is, men want to look and feel, women usually just compare.
Stop! This thinking must end! As a soon-to-be Glamma, I can’t have my grandbabies living in a sexualized world of low self-esteem, poor self-image, and plastic surgery enhancements.
So let’s dig into this and start with the boobs. My boobs have played a huge role in my life, watching as I went from a young girl resembling an iron board to a voluptuous adult woman with back and neck aches. They’re huge–size double D. After my second pregnancy at 19, they exploded overnight. It was a far cry from my teenage days when I stuffed my bra as needed to try and keep up with my defying gravity girlfriends who were developing at a much faster rate than I. Flat-chested Starr, all through school, or “flat-chested Starr Wars”. Thinking back, it was a pretty accurate nickname for me, given that I was constantly at war with myself and my esteem.
I have been asked many times over the years by friends if I had a boob job. Nope, 100% Grade-A natural. Thoughts of a boob reduction periodically have popped into my head, but then I end up back where I started- why mess with natural! One thing I know for sure as a natural boober–I absolutely hate, I mean I cannot stand, wearing a bra. The only time I ever wear a bra is when working out, as a DD, physical activity without support can result in aches, bouncing, soreness, and general discomfort. (Black eyes?) Sometimes I will wear one when going out with friends or to one of my husband’s lawyer events, you know to stay professional and well-presented. I wouldn’t want his colleagues to think “oh look at Jude’s wife, he must have paid for those”. Uggh.
Here’s what I’m curious about, questions I ponder when it comes to the Boobs: why do some women cover them up? Why do others let them hang out? When in history did boobs become so sexual? I recently started to Google the what, when, and why of sexualized breasts. From what I have read women’s breasts have pretty much been sexualized since humanity developed. I also researched whether or not losing the bra will cause my boobs to sag in the long-term. People tell me they will hang down to my kneecaps eventually, but I haven’t been able to find any scientific research supporting that, so I move forward braless. So far, so good.
Side question- why aren’t men’s breasts considered sexual? What happened there? Maybe it’s because they serve no purpose. They are just “there”.
Maybe if they made better bras I wouldn’t have an issue. I have tried so many different brands of bras, spent thousands of dollars in the process, and I have yet to find one that is comfortable. Victoria’s Secret bras are the worst! They dig into my skin and make me feel like I am wearing a corset…well, at least what I imagine a corset would feel like. Pretty sure my boobs would break a corset.
Bras really haven’t come a long way. The first bra (also known as the “throat supporter”) was patented in 1914 by a young lady named Mary Phelps Jacobs. She was frustrated by how the lace on her corset-cover showed over the top of her evening gown, she took off her corset and fashioned a sort of wrapped halter top out of handkerchiefs and ribbon for support. Bras gained popularity in the 1920s, although many women simply bound their breasts to achieve the popular flat-chested look. Later decades of the 20th century saw improvements in underwire and the invention of strapless and backless bras. What about band cloths? Can we bring those back? They seem interesting. Women in ancient Greece and Rome wore them.
Okay, here is my real point: Growing up with low self-esteem and poor body image confidence, this soon-to-be glamma wants to teach my grandchildren to love their bodies. Not in a vain way, but in an honoring way. And also to not let anyone touch their “no-no square”. That’s an important lesson. (You have got to check out that song. I learned about this from Aba, cutest song ever!). How do we teach the balance of beauty inside and out without having kids grow up vanity focused, self-conscious, and carrying around low self-esteem? That is the real question, boobs aside. Still seeking answers to this. Will report back as I Glamma forward.
PS- We haven’t talked about breast-feeding yet. Don’t even get me started! I think Laura Clery says it best, she pretty much has this topic covered!
Double PS- I have never posted this pic before because I felt it was too sexy, too revealing. Oh well, I’ve got big boobs, move on!
Lolli
