What do men really think about the female figure?

Earlier this month, supermodel Kate Moss caused uproar when she claimed “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

Inevitably, critics have slammed her comments arguing that it is sending the wrong message to young girls who look up to her as a role model.

In a world of size zero and liposuction, Cosmopolitan Magazine takes to streets and asks men, “What is your favourite female body shape?”

Ladies, put down your celery sticks because it seems men who appreciate the curvy female form do exist after all.

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/men/tv

We need to work together to end violence against girls and women- the Government says

NEW strategies to end violence against women and girls have been unveiled by the Government.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Violence against women and girls can have a devastating effect on individuals and the communities in which they live. It ruins lives, breaks apart families and has an impact across the generations.”

Traditional methods have been focused on providing support once the woman has been victimised.

But now the Government wants to focus on PREVENTION.

By including gender equality and violence against women in the school curriculum it is hoped that the problem will be reduced.

The Government also wants to introduce the topic as an annual parliamentary debate.

According to a British Crime Survey nearly one million women experience at least one incident of domestic abuse each year.

At least 750,000 children a year witness domestic violence.

Many women also believe sexualised imagery of women and girls is a major problem, the Home Office found.

Click here to read more on what the Government is doing to combat domestic violence.

Very ambitious plans, but will they deliver?

Duchess of Cornwall slams women in music videos

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

THE Duchess of Cornwall Camilla (formerly Parker Bowles) has slammed “terrifying” music videos saying they are affecting teenagers’ lives.

In a discussion with victims of sexual violence at a rape crisis centre in Croydon, Camilla said: “A lot of these videos are terrifying. I am sure they trigger a response in some of the young people. I can never understand how they get away with making those things.”

In her new video with Lady Gaga, R&B superstar Beyonce is provocatively dressed in a series of skimpy outfits and holds a toy GUN to a man’s head.

The Duchess said she believes young people are becoming immune to such images of sex and violence.

She added that schools need to work together with the children in teaching “the value of respect for each other.”

Beyonce and Lady GaGa

Are explicit videos really affecting teenagers as much as the Duchess says?

With Beyonce being an international superstar and role model for many, should she be setting an example by dressing moderately?

Does dressing provocatively make men mistreat us easily?

Is less always more?

Marie Claire readers have had their say.

Lois Sarah Turnbull argues: “I am so pleased someone is speaking out about it. Don’t get me wrong i love the music and the artists but the sexual way things are presented these days can not be healthy. Women can be sexy, yes but sexy these days is displayed as degrading and is no longer a private thing.”

Gemma is however more liberal in her views and states: “Get real this is 2009, sex sells!!! I would rather have the sex appeal of Beyonce any day, rather than Camilla.”

Frida added: “I agree that music videos are oversexualised these days, but to connect rape with skimpydressed stars is not the way to go.”

Speaking to “A Woman’s Worth,” 20 year old Sheeza Anjum who works in leading fashion store TopShop said: “Thousands of young girls look up to Beyonce and I was shocked to see her new video. I know artists are meant to have freedom of expression, but this is no way to release your frustration.

“I was really surprised to see the video for this song, because Beyonce is always going on about girl power. She has an all girls band behind her at her concerts and her song “Irreplaceable” and Destiny’s Child “Charlie’s Angel” became huge anthems for girls.

“This video is just two girls competing with each other to show who can grind best! It encourages men to look at women as pieces of meat. Young girls want to copy their moves and end up getting in all sorts of trouble.

“Beyonce should influence girls to become strong independent women who star in Oscar winning movies not lead them to dress up as half-naked pirates, asking to be taped in a certain position.”

One in four women experience sexual violence in their lifetime.

Found a grey hair? No, You’re not stressed-blame your parents

So you’re working all hours, looking after four screaming kids and, a husband who only leaves the sofa to pick up the remote. It’s no wonder you’ve started to go grey so soon right?

Wrong!

According to new research, when, and how quickly a woman starts losing her hair colour is down to GENES.

A study of more than 200 twin sisters in Denmark showed that identical siblings turned grey at almost the same time.

But non-identical twins, who don’t share exactly the same genes were found to lose their natural hair colour at a different rate.

However, reports by the Telegraph say that grey hair is a sign of stress.

Research at the Kanazawa University discovered that hair follicles can suffer the same kind of “genotoxic stress” that does damage to a body’s DNA.

Lead researcher of the Denmark study argues: “This study offers us a fascinating insight into the reason why women go grey and it certainly suggests that environmental factors are not as important as we once thought.

“The research indicates that irrespective of how stressful a woman’s life is, there are greater forces at play which are more likely to cause her hair to go grey.”

Working women are doing better in the recession than men- reports show

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published results showing a fall in the gap between the average pay of a man and a woman in a full time job.

According to the findings, the “gender gap” has fallen from 17.4 per cent in 1997, to 12.2 per cent.

But the gender gap in full and part-time work still stands at 22 per cent.

The reports, published in the Independent also show that women’s pay and job opportunities in the recession have suffered less than those of men.

Despite these figures, some women still believe they are at a disadvantage in the world of work.

Earlier this year, actress Zoe Wannamaker said: “Women are always at the bottom as far as pay is concerned- the equal pay business is a big struggle.”

Why men don’t talk to women!

Ever wondered why some men are so weary of the opposite sex?

A quirky, light hearted video apparently showing the real reason men don’t talk to women. If all women were like that, I can’t say I blame them!

But then grinning like you’re high on steroids isn’t going to enhance your chances of a positive response, now is it?

And a special shout out to caffeine for making this video worth watching…

Young man plummets to his death after trying not to disturb sleeping partner

It’s so nice to see a story that doesn’t involve a cheating man, a violent marriage or worse still, “My doctor lover poisoned me to kill our baby.” (Now Magazine ,9 Nov 2009)

Reported in the Mirror yesterday is the tragic accident of a “perfect boyfriend” who is said to have plummeted to his death after trying not to wake his missus up.

William Styles, 23, was at a pub quiz with his partner Jessie Wallace, 21.

She had gone home early, taking their only set of keys.

The sports instructor who taught windsurfing climbed the walls of their homes in order to avoid pressing the doorbell.

William then plunged 18ft from the ground floor to a basement level.

After sustaining severe head injuries he lay unconscious on the street in Plymouth, before being found by a neighbour the next morning.

William was taken to intensive care but died the following day.

Jessie said: “He was the perfect boyfriend. I feel like I’ve lost my entire world. He did more in his short life than people do in their long lives.

“Maybe he didn’t want me to wake up.”

Now I know people of the sceptical kind will ask questions like “Was the man drunk?” or say he could have been climbing the wall for a different reason. But I’m sure for Jesse it’s a comforting thought believing her boyfriend died putting her needs first; if he would go this far just to make sure she slept undisturbed, what would he do in a life-threatening situation?

I suppose the only person who will ever truly know is William himself.

But for now the story should be taken for what it is- an act of chivalry so rarely seen in these present times.

All together now, “Awwwwwww”

Marks and Spencer girl’s lover in “Love potion” scandal

M&S eye candy Noemie Lenoir’s partner has been arrested over allegations that he lured young models into being videod having orgies.

Swiss millionaire Carl Hirschmann, 29, is said to have given the girls vodka-based cocktails called “Love Potion” at his club Saint Germain in central Zurich.

A detective investigating the case told the Mirror: “It was where we believe most of these sex tapes were made. Like many nightclub scenarios Hirschmann let beautiful girls into his club for free.”

Hirschmann is also accused of blackmailing the models, asking them for cash in return for him not posting the videos on the internet.

He has been released on bail, since his arrest last month.

Meanwhile, his 30 year old lover, who currently features in the new christmas M&S advert posing in her underwear is reported to be “in a living hell.”

Talking from Noemie’s home town of Paris a friend said: “Knowing that he’s involved with the police and investigating judges in such a serious case is tearing her apart.

“The truth is that, despite all of the accusations being levelled against him Noemie is besotted with him. What’s worse is that many of the allegations are coming from beautiful young women just like her. It’s almost too much to bear.”

Another friend added: “Rather than keeping away from Hirschmann, she wants to do everything she can to clear his name.”

At least five women have testified against him, with one telling police she was “astonished” that an apparently loyal friend could have “acted in such a frightening way.”

When approached by the Mirror, Noemie declined to comment.

To flash, or not to flash? Would you pose for Playboy?

The Sun is tackling the controversial subject of posing for Playboy magazine- an American magazine founded by Hugh Hefner containing images of naked women, interviews and fashion.

Founded in 1953, Playboy has featured the likes of American national treasure Marilyn Monroe and The King of Pop’s older sister LaToya Jackson.

Women who pose for Playboy will undoubtedly come across critics who will accuse them of degrading themselves for the sake of money.

But with a salary of approximately $25,000 (around £18,000) a month is this an offer too good to turn down? Why not make quicker earnings rather than be stuck in a dead-end job paying the minimum wage, some argue?

Of course the woman that poses nude for Playboy carries the risk of being seen as an object of sexual desire, and nothing more.

What people seem to forget is that the girls of the Playboy mansion are not all prostitutes, and if they are then that is wrong. A woman’s body is a temple and giving it up to any Tom, Dick and Harry is quite simply self abuse.

However,people often don’t realise that to be in Playboy you do not necessarily have to be naked- some are dressed in the iconic bunny outfits.

There is definitly the view that women who pose for Playboy, whether naked or not, are all beauty and no brains. An old Bible saying comes to mind here; “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

MY Sun users have engaged with this debate.

Phoebe81 says: “I have no problem with getting my kit off and to be paid for it. I’d be laughing all the way to the bank.”

alliebabe agrees and said: “I’ve always fantasised about doing it and the thrill of it.”

gemmamariemc is more reluctant, stating “The thought of my dad, brothers,uncles, grandad etc coming across it is enough to put me off!”

emmazzz hits the nail right on the head when she argues: “I don’t have the body for it anyway, but have no problem with those that do. They aren’t harming anyone and aren’t exploited as the get paid good cash for it

“My daughter is a photographer and gets lots of women asking her to take nude shots for loved ones and portfolios. It’s become much more open in the last few years. As long as it’s tasteful I’ve no problems with it.”

Forum comment of the day:

“It’s a COMPLIMENT if a guy is jerking off to your picture or even thinking of you while he does it. It means you look HOT and are attractive and desirable. Sex is not bad…..relax and go with it. It’s a healthy, natural thing.”

A tad explicit, but funny nonetheless!

Would you flash your flesh for cash?

Is it a case of move on with times, women are free to do what they want with their bodies?

DIY Botox- a stretch too far?

EXPERTS have sent out a warning to Brits buying DIY botox kits online and injecting themselves with the drug.

Injecting the wrinkle smoothing jab can cause paralysis and blindness.

Figures show a rising number of Brits in the recession are using cheaper homekits, costing around £100 rather than spending £250-£300 for surgery treatment.

Buyers learn how to inject themselves using crude injection sheets or by following videos posted online.

Gwen Davies of the Clinic group Transform, based in Manchester said: “Buying botox off the internet is very dangerous, bypassing the procedures which are in place to protect the public.”

In the UK, Botox is a prescription-only drug but can be bought from internet sites, mainly in Russia and the Far East.

Online Pharmacy Escrow is a Canada based drug store also selling Botox online.

Sometimes people take it too far,and botox goes wrong