ZOE CHRISTODOULIDES meets a woman who says it is time for other women to focus on more serious issues
Are women striving to become the perfect plastic role models? It’s a serious question really. Just look at the way, across the globe, women are dashing off to the cosmetic surgeon to get their buttocks firmed and breasts enlarged. A bit of a nip here, a little tuck there; surgery has become rather like the 21st century version of retail therapy.
Facial lines are also a reason for serious concern. “Don’t frown and god forbid you dare squint,” warn beauty magazines – it’ll add a few unwanted years to your face. And no, a little moisturising cream is no longer the answer. You should really take a trip to the doctor for a quick Botox jab to get the desired results. Funny to think that feminists of the 70s were trying to rid the world of images of the ‘perfect female’ as they let their underarm hair grow and gained a reputation for burning their bras.
Well-known local clinical psychologist and Transformational Life Coach, Annie Pattichi, has taken the question of female roles today seriously. She insists that women are somehow focusing on all the wrong issues with the contemporary femme fatale keen on achieving the ultimate Barbie look. Far more serious issues troubled women long ago.
Let’s journey back to ancient Greece with the start of a recent speech Annie gave to a group of women: “During the time of the Peloponnesian War, women were suppressed and closed in the house with no political rights, no fortune, no right to say what was on their minds. And yet, look at the way the fictional Lysistrata managed to get women together and put an end to the war.” The point is that this character, invented in Aristophanes’ infamous play, had true goals and a hell of a lot of guts. Taking on the role of leader in the dramatic pages written way back in 411 BC, women had plenty to look up to.
Fast forward a few thousand years and there’s the so called ‘Barbie syndrome’ we’re faced with today as the doll celebrates her 50th anniversary. Yes, there’s an official term for it and it’s had sociologists and psychologists up in arms about the unrealistic ideals the perfectly proportioned doll projects.
Sure, she’s had multiple careers over the years (let’s not forget the doctor and police officer outfits) but that hasn’t stopped people scrutinising her. Where does she live? In a perfect pink paradise. Who is she dating? The epitome of perfect arm candy – the infamous Ken (although she does temporarily get fed up, ditching him for an equally suave Aussie surfer dude named Blaine a few years back).
“Most of the young girls here in Cyprus that come to see me have no dreams and aspirations beyond getting married and having kids,” says Pattichi. “I’m certainly not saying that’s wrong, but what happened to all the higher dreams and aspirations?” Step in the image of the typical Maria. She has a government job that she doesn’t particularly love just to finish by 2.30pm and have the afternoon off. She then likes to go to the hairdresser, get her nails done and buy nice clothes. She also rather fancies a flashy convertible and a trip to Athens for some foreign retail therapy. Maria, of course, is just a fictional character made up for the purpose of this article but could very well stand for over half the young women on the island today. “They’re just not working to develop themselves or expand their knowledge in any way. And that’s upsetting because superficial things take control of everything.”
But come on, surely not all women look up to the notorious Barbie image? “Of course not! There are women who have really come a long way and really strive to better themselves,” replies Pattichi. “But a lot of the time people just don’t have the right upbringing to be encouraged to follow their talents. I’ve had women that come to me without any goals and with the right encouragement they very gradually start to change their priorities and eventually find what really expresses them on the inside.”
Pattichi herself came from a very traditional family and went through her own personal struggle to get to where she is today. Breaking free from the norms, she only began changing her perceptions in her late 20s, going on to study psychology at university at 37.
Now 51, she stresses that it’s a shame for women in these more progressive ages not to follow on the work of past generations. In the first part of the 20th century, women in the western world were struggling for the right to vote. These days they’re faced with a world of opportunity in comparison and yet take little action. “Instead, they are happy to fit into the image of the ‘perfect woman’ from a purely masculine point of view. Let’s not forget that Barbie is based on a man’s ideal, not a woman’s,” argues Pattichi.
Fair enough, one might now sit back quite comfortably arguing that we are better off than the women who lived before us, so why not just take a chill pill and reap the benefits. But there are still real issues that need dealing with. Women constantly have to struggle to find a balance between home and work, sexual harassment is a serious ongoing social problem, and they are still paid less than the opposite gender. Then there’s violence in the family with the majority of cases involving men beating their wives.
“In Cyprus we still hold onto the idea that it’s the woman’s job to look after the children. She has to juggle her day between work and childcare whereas the man can be out working all hours before going home to put his feet up,” says Pattichi. “Inequalities in the workplace are also a serious problem here. So many women are sexually harassed without knowing how to deal with it or take action. Even when they go to court they’ll most likely lose the case. We need to insist that it is looked upon by the government far more seriously than it is and specific laws safeguarding women need to be passed.”
If the fresh faced Barbie lookalike that seems to have wonderfully defied her body clock is today’s role model, we’ve got a long way to go. Sure enough, women have always taken care of their looks throughout recorded history. The point is not doing so to an extent that excludes everything else. “Take the example of Cleopatra,” says Pattichi. “We all know she took care of her image but she is also remembered as one of the most famous female rulers in history.” A far cry from the slim blonde perfection invented by 1950s American society, it’s all about taking a step away from purely superficial values and getting to the core of what real womanhood is all about.
Annie Pattichi
99-468260
[email protected]
