Reader's Ink discussion

Ladybird says, “I’d hate to think of you being exported to some call center in Mumbai.”

“Deported. People are deported. Products or are exported,” Nicole corrected.

Because Bray is a genius, I think Ladybird’s slip here was oh so deliberate. What do you make of Ladybird “accidentally” referring to the beauty queens as products?

When you really think about it, isn't "beauty" for males or females a product. When we turn on the TV or open a magazine what do they sell, BEAUTY! I really don't think it was a slip.

I think Ladybird, and humanity in general, view the beauty queens as commodities. And to be a commodity, you have to be an OBJECT, a (literally) selfless little doll who looks pretty, isn't threatening, and exists for others.

On that note, Ashley, I think there's a reason so many beauty queens become politician's wives: their whole life has been as a product and commodity, of selling a certain life style. And, let's face it, even today, politician's wives tend to be nonthreatening dolls who exist as a prop for the image of their husband's perfect family life.

ARM CANDY IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AS IT REQUIRES MONEY AND A LOT OF HIGH MAINTENANCE. IT'S A SHAME THAT SO MANY WOMEN SEEM TO RELY ON FORM OVER CONTENT. IT TOTALLY REVOLVES AROUND EXPECTATIONS, BOTH PERSONAL AND SOCIETAL. IDEAS HAVE CHANGED A GREAT DEAL OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES REGARDING THE GENDERS ALSO PLAYS A BIG PART. SINCE THE '60'S, WOMEN HAVE FELT MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR SKINS AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHED THOSE DONNA-REED-LEAVE-IT-TO-BEAVER STEREOTYPES IN THE '50'S WHERE THEY BELONG.