Since I’ve been going to the gym in the middle of the day, I catch some interesting tv I wouldn’t otherwise have time to watch.  I watch a lot of reality tv/ makeover shows which is appropriate given that its the gym.  I do realize a lot of these shows are materialistic and shallow.  However, one show, 10 Years Younger, in particular really bothered me.  I do enjoy style makeover shows like What Not to Wear but enjoy how they subtly make fun of people but ultimately work on making people think more positively about themselves.

On the episode of 10 Years Younger, there was a 26 year old mother of two.  She wore slightly baggy jeans and a white t shirt with no makeup.  It was explained that she had gained forty pounds since having her children.  The host of the show kept pressing her by asking if she was afraid that her husband would leave her for gaining weight. She finally said yes she did have that fear–that it was her greatest fear.

My gut reaction to this was WHAT!  Thats her greatest fear!  Not something bad happening to her children or herself but that her husband would leave her because of weight gain after she had their children!?! OK I realize it is a “reality” tv show and there is master editing and manipulation of dialogue occurring.  Why would she be with someone who didn’t appreciate her mothering their children but is instead focusing on her looks. Of course, once again this is how the show portrayed this woman’s life.

This got me thinking if an alien who knew nothing about Planet Earth or the human race watched this show how would he or she or they think of the way we value motherhood, one’s intelligence, sense of humor, self-worth, spirit, generosity among other non image based characteristics.  It would come across as though we did not value a human unless he or she always looked “put together” and “hott and sexy.” Thankfully, people like me can process their own opinions about such a show and recognize the triviality behind it.  Maybe I should make a show about how to get people to read the newspaper more or write in a journal every day. But oh I don’t have a production crew or a major network backing me.  Oh well…!

So don’t worry the woman got her fabulous makeover, didn’t exactly looked ten years younger but more together, and her husband looked happily surprised. Wonderful. THE END!