No Deal To Warped Image Of What A Woman Should Be

The models on NBC's "Deal Or No Deal" are not what a woman must be

Have you seen the latest television game show on NBC called "Deal Or No Deal?" The host of the show is that goofball actor-turned-game-show-star Howie Mandel (yes, the same Howie Mandel you know and love except now he's bald!) and the contestants have a chance to win $1,000,000 if they choose a lucky case among 26 cases.

Of course, nobody ever wins the million bucks, but it's kinda fun to watch the people get excited about the prospect of winning even if it is only a simple game of chance with no skill involved at all. Somehow I don't see this show lasting more than a season or two because frankly it'll get boring very quickly. Anywho...

Something has been bugging me about this show ever since I first started watching it with my wife. At the beginning of the show, Howie comes out on stage, makes a few introductory remarks and then announces that it is time for his "favorite part of the show."

Howie then exclaims in a coy voice, "Ladies...."

That's when the "Deal Or No Deal" theme music begins playing as 26 models march in lockstep onstage with their respective case in hand. Predictably, there are cat calls and howling from the men in the audience as millions of men drool over themselves at home watching these women prance across their television sets.

Now, don't get me wrong, they are very beautiful women indeed, but what kind of message are we sending young girls and even adult women regarding what a woman should be by parading perfect models like this into our living rooms? Especially those women and girls who struggle with their weight, how can they ever feel like they are beautiful enough if our society constantly keeps shoving this impossible image to attain in their face all the time?

An anonymous reader recently sent me an e-mail that deals with this subject matter better than I could ever explain. She practically poured out her heart and soul to me about what she thinks of herself as an obese woman. To protect her privacy, I will not share with you the horrid details of what she wrote, but suffice it to say it would just break your heart.

If I could sum up her e-mail in one poignant question, then this is what it would be:

"How can I ever feel like a woman after being fat?"

Has any other woman felt this way, too? If you have been overweight or obese and feel like you are less of a woman because of it, let me say just a few things to you about that.

First of all, being a woman is more than just having a thin body with curves in the right places and a cute face. Those are all characteristics of certain women in this world, but they do not define what a woman is.

A real woman is a beautiful creation of God that plays a tremendous role in humankind.

Here are just a few of those things that only a woman can do:

Only a woman can give birth.
Only a woman can be a mother.
Only a woman can be daddy's little girl.
Only a woman can wear perfume and put on makeup.
Only a woman can be a bride.
Only a woman can make a man better.
Only a woman can show a love like no other.
Only a woman can make such an influence.

I think about the special women closest to me in my life: my mother, my grandmother, my sister, and my wife. While none of them would ever be considered the prettiest or smartest women in the world, I wouldn't change a thing about any of them. The fact is they are who they are because that's exactly who God meant for them to be. Nobody can ever take away those one-of-a-kind qualities that encompass everything about each of them.

Whether you have struggled with your weight or have some other self-image issues you are dealing with, don't ever think you are not worthy of being a woman. You are a very special person with a real purpose and a meaning in this life. While you may never hear those exact words from anyone in particular in your life, I want you to hear them from me.

Although I may be a stranger to you, I know for a fact that the good Lord doesn't make mistakes and you are here in this world as a woman for some specific reason. NEVER let go of the knowledge that you matter. YOU DO MATTER! Who cares if you weight 100, 200 or 300 pounds, let me tell you -- YOU MATTER! You ARE a woman and nobody can ever take that away from you! Celebrate the gift of your womanhood and don't ever let your weight or anything else rob you of that joy.

The next time you see those ladies on "Deal Or No Deal," just remember that they do not necessarily represent all of womankind or what being a female is all about. You are just as beautiful and perfect as they are and don't you ever forget it!