Quickies!: Cougar Den Guide
Women: Now With Fewer Babies Than Ever Before!
Nowadays, we modern gals are too busy to worry about spawning. It might be on some of our to do lists, but according to a 2006 survey, one in five women never have a baby. That’s double the number of childless women in 1976! While 30 years ago, 59% of women had at least three kids, now only 28% have popped that many out. The U.S. Census Bureau, who conducted the survey, speculates that societal factors, like people trying to conceive later because of careers and education, fertility rates steadily dropping since the ’80s, and a wide range of socially accepted birth control options, are all adding up to less brats, er, bundles of joy. Now you can point fingers at the empowered products of women’s lib all you want, but we’re willing to bet there’s an underlying economic issue here too. For instance, the birth rate keeps going down while college tuition keeps going up. Coincidence? We think not. Kids cost a lot more than condoms. [The Guardian]
Slideshow: Different Body Types At The Beijing Olympics
Every four years, the Summer Olympics provide us with an inspiring display of physical and mental abilities. The athletes who get to compete are at the top of their games, whether that game is archery, swimming, Taekwondo, weightlifting, or any of the other 34 sports represented in this year’s Beijing Olympics. While we might obsess over models’ and actresses’ bodies in the years between the Games, right now there is absolutely no reason why any of us should be flipping through Vogue and dreaming of having a body like Kate Moss’s or Keira Knightley’s. The women vying for medals are a nice reminder that we don’t have to be tall and thin to be fabulous — heck, Kate could never even dream of winning a medal. Every sport emphasizes a different set of muscles, a different type of body. Even within particular sports, different proportions are represented. Take artistic gymnastics. All-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin is about 5’3″ tall with long limbs, while Shawn Johnson is under 5′ and has more defined muscles. Let all of this be a lesson: Be happy with the booty, legs, back, and abs you’ve got, because the women competing in the Olympics — whether they’re short, tall, petite, big-boned, super muscular, or lithe — are using their bodies to do incredible things, and so should you. Keep reading »
Having A Step Family Isn’t Easy
Cindy McCain refers to herself as an “only child” when she speaks about her childhood, despite the fact that she has two half-sisters. “It’s terribly painful,” said Kathleen Hensley Portalski, a sister, to the Washington Post. “It’s as if she is the ‘real’ daughter. I am also a real daughter.” Both Portalski and McCain are the children of Jim Hensley. Portalski is Henley’s daughter from his first marriage in the 1930s to Mary Jeanne Parks. He divorced Parks and married Marguerite “Smitty” Johnson in 1945. And McCain was born nine years later. McCain’s mother also had a daughter, Dixie Burd, from a previous relationship.
Portalski told the Post that she remained quiet for decades while her father lavished attention on his second family. But McCain’s repeated references to being her father’s only child finally became unbearable in the past few months. “I was his family too,” she said. And I know from personal experience exactly how she feels. Keep reading »
Crave: Pearl & Ribbon Necklace
Pearls are timeless and ribbon is so girly. But for some reason, when you put the two together, they kind of a have a rock ‘n’ roll edge. This necklace from Wink would look amazing with a white wife beater tank, jeans, and heels. Kind of like Jackie O, gone bad. [$58, WinkNYC.com] Keep reading »
R.I.P.: Stephanie Tubbs Jones
In sad news, Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, a Democratic Representative from Ohio, has died from a sudden brain aneurysm. She was the first African-American woman to represent Ohio and one of only 23 women of color in Congress. [Cleveland.com]
UPDATE: Um, we’re getting conflicting reports now. Which is good news, at least! Stay tuned. Keep reading »
The Lesbian Index: Nine Types Of Sapphic Lovers
Lesbianism is such a hot topic, some celebs even seem to be capitalizing on the media coming out party. While faux-mo’s make us want to barf, in general, the mainstreaming of what was once considered counterculture is exciting. Now heteros can finally play Indigo Girls’ records in public without being judged! But who are the trailblazing scissor sisters bridging their community? Since everyone’s personalities are a mixture of nurture and nature, here are the basic types of lesbians from which you can make-up the Venn diagram of lesbian society.
The Sophisticate Usually an artist or academic, this well read member of the intelligentsia is socially conscious without smelling like patchouli. An important public person, she’s a wise, loving role model. Example: Melissa Etheridge
Sex On TV: Open Letter To “Weeds”‘ Nancy Botwin
Dear Nancy,
Poor you, you can’t keep those two naughty boys of yours under control! We’ve got Silas seducing that cougar on the counter-top at her cheese shop and Shane hitting that boy in the face with a lunch tray. Keep reading »
Election 2008: This Is What Women Want
What do women want? It’s an age-old question that makes men, like our presidential candidates, rack their brains. But how can all the bitches we know give them some answers? Let’s face it, we each have our own opinions. And the thing is, while I can easily tell my gal pal her new hand painted purple clogs make her look like Barney, how can I get to tell these big powerful candidates, with their team of security guards, that I want to keep my reproductive rights? (And please, if I ever got near Barack Obama, I’d giggle like a schoolgirl.) This Is What Women Want, a new grassroots website, is providing an open forum for women to post their political beliefs on everything from immigration to education. Also, with one click, you can instantly chime in and vote on other ladies’ posts through a rating system. I just gave “rape victims’ rights” five stars! So hey, I opened my big mouth, now it’s your turn. [Our Bodies, Our Blog] Keep reading »
