For all the popularity of feminism, it is a concept poorly applied. No one is more hated than the prettiest girl in the room, as the old saying goes. Women in groups are especially monsterous to other women. I can not tell you how many times I have heard, "she thinks she is so great, but I heard blah blah blah." Women turn into mind readers, searching for flaws to gloat over.
we would be a better society if we realized that pointing out other peoples shortcomings does not elevate us above them. Insecurity is a cruel psychological state. Everyone wants the same thing, socially, to be able to relate, to be seen as likeable, and acceptable, but we want it in darkness, and silence, while refusing to offer what we rarely admit we want.
Every time I began to waste away from my spine injuries, I'd be offered an all you can take buffet of other womens insecurities. The hiss-whispers of "she thinks that looks good?! Eww!" or "she must be anorexic." "I heard it is drugs" "girl needs to eat a burger" this passes for witty among certain classes of women. They always stage whisper so I can hear it, and laugh a little louder, so I know they are super cool.
funny how the fear of dying in front of my kids puts the fear of other peoples opinions in its proper place, beneath pretty much everything. I know the place those kinds of comments come from, and it is ugly. They have my pity, since I have no use for it.
happy to say, I am free from my teenaged angst, and have been for 30 years. Since realizing I define who I am, and how I feel about myself, the lens of comparative social value is cracked and useless. You being fat, skinny, pretty or ugly will not affect my life in any way.
I aim to improve on my own self, to be better than I was yesterday. I am well moored, in this, I am not in a competition with you, I am competing with me. Which may be a cop out, but it guarantees I am gonna win.