Strong is Not the New Beautiful

The movement is not new. "Strong is the New Beautiful" has been a catch phrase around for awhile. In it's original intent it was a push back against the oppressive societal message that women must conform themselves to an idealistic slim, sleek, and small size. "Strong" replaced "small" and the message changed from women needing to reduce themselves in size to empowering women to build strength in their bodies.

Sounds good, right?

Oh how I wish it was.

Don't get me wrong. I love celebrating the strength of women and I appreciate a message that strives to push back against one that was oppressive in nature. But I fear that "strong is the new beautiful" has in and of itself become it's own idealistic and oppressive message.

Now instead of idealizing rail thin legs and thigh gaps there is an idealization of defined arms and toned abs. Instead of focusing on how few calories one can consume there is a hyper-focus on eating a perfect diet and plans such as paleo, whole 30, and keto are all the rage. Instead of diet pills flying off the shelves "natural supplements" that promise to lower sugar cravings and balance the body are being promoted at every turn. Instead of promoting weight loss through extended cardio workouts WODS, AMRAPS, and HIIT style workouts promise the best results for our new glorified goal.

At the surface the message has changed. But underneath remains the idea that beauty is narrowly defined and that narrow definition can change at any given moment, and we as women must strive to keep up, constantly changing our aim as we strive to achieve each new subjective idea of beauty.

"Strong is the new beautiful" is being celebrated, but meanwhile, what about the ones that can't achieve this idealized version of beauty, which is now defined as strength, in their bodies? What about the hurting, the sick, the aging, the disadvantaged, or what about those who quite simply - do not want to. What about them?

As women, we need to be the first to push back. To refuse to engage. To refuse to agree with, promote, and participate. And yet so many of us are agreeing and participating because this version of beauty feels attainable and empowering, when in reality the oppressive nature of "strong is the new beautiful" is simply more subtle and sneaky. It promotes strength and yet it still demands and burdens and excludes and marginalizes. And good gracious, it still objectifies.

No. More.

Our definition of beauty has to expand. broaden. deepen. Ultimately, our definition of beauty has to transcend that which we can see or we are destined to continually oppress, exclude, and objectify each other and ultimately ourselves.

By all means, take care of your body, eat well, build strength, but please think twice before promoting an idea of beauty that in all actuality may cause more harm than good.