--Taken from a Bulletin I typed for MySpace--

Today's society is not right.

First, I'll introduce the self-esteem issue.

Society has an "ideal" image of how both the male and female genders should look. You see those advertisements, where the model is slim, beautiful or handsome, and well-toned. Many teens and children will look at these models and start thinking that they are not good enough for anyone to love, or they are not beautiful. Not even in their own way.
I for one am overweight. My friends and family that know me genuinely know this. I am sensitive about the fact I am overweight. I almost always consider myself "ugly" and "unattractive". I'm normally ashamed to go to parties with my friends because of this fact. There are teenagers out there that resort to anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders and dieting to get into that "ideal" body image.
I have never been called ugly before. Save for in elementary. How kids can be so cruel, I do not know. But, I have the build of a male. Though I am curvy, wide-hipped, and large-breasted. I tell everyone, or usually everyone, that I am the female incarnation of my father. Take a picture of him in his High School years and look at me. You'll immediately say "Oh yea, that's your dad." And it's true. I have very few traits from my mom. I also have a deep voice. And, from a certain extent of neglect and the lack of a true female figure in my childhood, I act like a boy. Because my dad was the only one really there for me when I was younger.
There are many people with this same problem. Girls become tomboys and skaters that guys normally don't go out with (I know this by watching and observing). I became an intimidating figure for boys because I had quite the temper and always clenched my hand into a fist. This could be a reason why they don't say negative things about my appearance. Fear. Heh.
But, I've seen people get put down by the "popular" kids and the cheerleaders. Everyone goes after the hotties in the football teem or cheer squad. I see very few overweight people attain a boyfriend/girlfriend. When I see that, it actually amazes me that people actually don't seek a relationship with a nearly "perfect" person.
Thing is, there is always the rare--and I mean RARE--person that sees you beautiful the way you are. You can count a million flaws about your appearance or your personality. Acne, scars, your weight. Your temper, your inability to socialize, your hyperactiveness. True friends, and true mates, can't count one.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL THE WAY YOU ARE.

Second topic I'll introduce is pre-judgement.

People judge others on how they look. I'll give you an example. My friend Kyle (and I feel bad for using him as an example). The first day of school in SC LEE. I saw him in the hallway. He's nearly 6 foot tall. His hair is brown with faint high-lights, down to his shoulders. He is thin, pale, and wears dark and gothic clothing. Now that I think about it, he would look perfect in a trenchcoat. Familiar with the Dane Cook bout about the candy and the psychopathic co-worker? That. Now, you're probably thinking, "Oh shit, this guy's an emo. He's probably mean and quiet and will kill me in a dark alley." Or something close to that, right?
Wrong. In History Pre-AP that day, I heard him talk. He spoke very intelligently. His voice wasn't dark or deep, but it was light and was a high octave. In fact, he sounded like quite the friendly person. The rest of the week, I got to know him. He is a true sweetheart, though a pyromaniac, and cares about his friend. He is talkative, nice, is interested in art. He's very intelligent and if I haven't said it before, warmhearted. Kyle is very huggable too. I got a hug every day in the hallway. <3
You know those kids that are quiet and avoid people in general? They're probably scared of being judged, and probably know they've already been deemed as weird, emo, or a nerd. I met several of those people. They're normally friendly and talkative once you get them out of the silence. I'm one of those people too. And, to be honest, I appreciate when someone walks up to me and talks to me. It makes my day, especially if that person continues to talk to me day after day.
You know those Preppy Kids? Yes, Skaters/Emos--They're pure evil and must be killed, yada yada. In actuality, I've met some. And to be honest, half of them are actually decent human beings. The rest of them, they run in a pack like wolves and eat anyone who is different alive. Those cheerleaders and athletes that seem like idiots or ditzes, will actually surprise you. They can be very sweet and friendly and will surprise you by showing you a straight-A report card.
The moral of the story is,

DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. GET TO KNOW A PERSON FIRST.

The third topic is how society handles physical contact.

I read up on something that stated men used to walk together (much like girls) with their arms interlocked. And they were straight as a ruler, maybe even straighter. Nowadays, men don't do that sort of stuff, ultimately out of the fear of being called gay or gaining a bad reputation. Physical contact and affection seems to be frowned upon by today's society. It's a sad fact, in my opinion.
If a boy and a girl walk down the street, and hold hands in a platonic act of love, you think "Oh wow, a couple", when in reality they're just close friends and nothing more. I rarely see this, though. The same thing goes when a boy and a girl hug, or do that "Kiss Kiss" gesture. They're called a couple most of the time, or people hint that they are. I myself am a very touchy-feely person, meaning I enjoy hugs, holding hands, or even just hanging on to someone in general. It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel towards that person, though I normally cling to people I like romantically, if they are comfortable with that.
People tend to avoid physical contact, though at SC LEE I had found my little clique in which I could get all the hugs and love that I needed. Though some of it went further than society deems acceptable, it was still appreciated.
Now, with the subject on touching... The most idiotic thing I see is that, a male friend will mess with his female friend, like tickling, or will be nice and give her a shoulder rub. Some people will call it molesting according to how the girl reacts. The same thing goes for adults with children. I'm actually afraid to be around little kids even though I am 14 going on 15 anyway, thanks to how society sees things.
What's wrong with hugging a friend for a good ten seconds, what's wrong with holding hands or interlocking arms, and what's wrong with physical contact in general?

Physical contact is something human beings need for proper social and mental development. Don't avoid or shun it.

One last thing I have realized, and this will most likely be a shorter few paragraphs.

How come society frowns upon people in their undergarments (bra, panties, boxers) while they accept BATHING SUITS that show FAR more skin than undergarments?
It's absolutely unbelievable in my opinion.

Society has become a crock of shit, really.

For those of you who actually read this, thank you and take some of this into thought.

~*Amanda*~