Human beings, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender or anything else, are far too preoccupied with body image. Unfortunately, it is a trait that appears to be universal and that has been so probably since we first stood erect.
This preoccupation with body image will manifest through stereotyping, which appears to be another universal trait. However the stereotypes of what is desirable, attractive, beautiful, proportional, ugly, etc. will differ according to particular ethnic, cultural, religious, social, climatic & other factors.
The very form that most westerners would consider unattractive and/or undesirable will be seen as precisely the opposite in much, if not all, of the Arab world, for instance.
How many who are not of the Karen people of Thailand would consider that the extension of the kneck using rings was appropriate or attractive?
Would we generally consider that small feet were desirable enough to accept foot-binding at an early age - a debilitating process that often resulted in broken bones and lifelong pain for those to whom it was done. Yet the Chinese elite consdiered this to make a woman more likely to be sought after in marriage and, eventually, the practice also spread throughout social levels of society.
Although, this body image preoccupation seems to have affected women more than men, the male sex is certainly not exempt from it. Not many of us males, I think, would want the body of a Sumo wrestler or consider it attractive, even if it brought us fame and wealth. Yet the 'six pack' is not short on worship in western society and turns the heads of many girls and women as readily as does a model figured girl or woman of many men.
The fact is that, generally speaking, we have limited control on our bodily structure and appearance. It is largely determined as a result of genetic combination before birth and environment & nutrition after birth.
It is also true that our bodies are *not* us. The 'I' that thinks, emotes, feels, imagines and *is* our essence is far closer to the virtual or spiritual than to the corporeal.
It is perhaps not my place so I hope that you will excuse me for asserting what follows: You oughtn't to 'hate' your breasts or any other part of your body. Neither ought you to consider that you appear, (in some situations), 'ridiculous' or that you breasts are 'too big'.
Yes there are many simple-minded, ignorant or nasty people who, it seems, take delight from using social media to demean and hurt others. Most of us are also subject to, at times, lacking thought before we laugh or say something that is hurtful, in the manner of your friends.
However, you don't have to take any of this on board. Love yourself for who and what you are: so much more than the container that houses you and gives you a physical presence.
Your writing of adventure and activity and delight are an indicator of how much more you are than your bodily parts. If others cannot or will not recognise that then it is their loss and they do themselves no credit for they cut themselves off from much of what gives value to life.
Thank you for your brave story. I have been as affected by stereotypical notions of what constitutes the 'ideal' appearance as have most of us. For what it is worth, however, I didn't find your appearance in the photo you posted as, in any way, 'ridiculous' or unpleasant. Even if I had, would it constitute any sort of informed truth? I think not. After all, I think that there is much to recommend the old adage that: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".
