Motherhood: It's Hot!
I have wanted to post this image for a long time. Last October I was honored to be in one of my best friend's wedding. The only problem was that this dear friend is male and he asked me if I would mind being one of his "groomsmen." I was honored and didn't have a problem with the gender-bending nature of the request, as long as he didn't mind that I was nine months pregnant. The biggest dilemma was figuring out what I would wear and how could I plan ahead for how big I would be?
They were planning a lovely Hawaiian themed wedding on the beach. I did not want to stick out like a sore thumb (was that possible?). Okay, but I did at least want to blend in to their color scheme. In doing so I decided to make a trip to one of these "Motherhood" maternity stores. Previous to this, I had purchased most of my maternity clothing from yard sales and thrift stores. My frugal nature would not allow me to drop a ton of money for clothing with such a short lifespan.
Anyway, upon visiting the store and luckily finding the perfect shirt to match the other "groomsmen" I stumbled upon this advertising brochure for the store. It simply cracked me up!! I don't have a scanner, so this digital pic will have to do. If you look closely you will notice that the man with the insanely cheesy expression is lustily staring at the pregnant woman in the foreground while his nonpregnant lunchdate glares angrily at him for oogling the pregnant gal. Is that some bold marketing or what?! One half of me finds it so cheesy and disturbing. How sexy can you possible feel with varicose veins, swollen ankles, heartburn, backpain, stretchmarks and a multitude of other preggo side effects?
Another part of me sees it and says "Hell Yeah! Motherhood is hot!" because it is a miracle and a privilege for a woman's body to be able to produce such an amazing product. It's fertility, baby! Ancient civilizations used to make sacrifices to little goddess statues with incredibly wide hips. Unfortunately, most media today celebrates a straight, clean, "boyish" figure - not very feminine at all. In fact, it has almost become a pregnancy trend to try to remain as thin looking as possible with just a big ol'belly sticking out. I have even heard that there is a new wave of pregnant women who are secretely dieting during their pregnancy in order to acheive that look. How sad. . .
I guess the moral of this story is that next time you see a panting pregnant woman who looks like she's going to drop that sucker any minute, take a moment to appreciate her beauty and think to yourself "Motherhood: It's Hot!"
posted by poetmama @ 9:54 PM
2 Comments:
that is HILARIOUS. I think I'm going to make that my new personal slogan. isn't it funny how 'trendy' it has become to be pregnant (well, pregnant and fashionable)? and you are so right- our culture completely contradicts itself... we do not allow for the 'real' bodies that come with pregnancy (and most especially post-pregnancy)! I read that article on women dieting through pregnancy (new york times, I think? I don't know)... anyway, it's INSANITY. and pretty sad, too. I mean, that's part of the sacrifice- when you choose to bring another human being into this world, you are also signing on to give up your body... you don't have to gain 100 lbs. and become a troll that lives under a bridge or anything, but you do have to surrender yourself (physically, mentally, emotionally). and that, actually, is what makes pregnant women so hot- the ability to maintain individuality and personal beauty throughout the process of complete and total physical transformation... so, yeah. motherhood IS hot.
You know they'll never have one that says, "Fatherhood: It's HOT!" Oh well. I can dream, can't I?
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