Artwork through the ages shows bare-breasted women, making it easier to track trends in breast size – both in preference and reality.
In many periods of history, smaller was considered better. Ancient Egypt women bared less than ample breasts. Ancient Greek sculptures show beautiful small-chested women. The culture valued beauty, athleticism, and knowledge. Apparently, they did not value large breasts. The goddess Aphrodite (Venus) is depicted with small breasts in Greek and Roman art. All are beautiful. None sport a D cup – or even a C.
While the breast was sometimes admired because it nourished life, it was only exaggerated in images of ancient fertility goddesses, who displayed not only large breasts but ample thighs and backsides as well.
Changing Standards
In the roaring 1920s, American women bound their breasts to give them a boyish, flat-chest look. Large breasts came into vogue in the 40s and 50s, popularized by pin-ups and sweater girls. Americans continue to look to pop stars and fashion models for the standard of beauty. Their large, perky breasts symbolize sexuality. But that standard is unrealistic.
Emphasis on physical attractiveness, including breast size, contributes to insecurity, eating disorders, and depression. Women want to look like the models on the magazine covers. But most real women of today simply don't.
The average breast size in America has recently increased from 34B to 36C. This coincides with the increase in dress size. The fashion industry typically designed clothes for a size eight, B-cup woman. With the obesity epidemic, the average American female wears size 14 or 16. No surprises here. Breast size is determined by fatty tissue. The more fatty tissue in your breasts, the bigger they are. In essence, naturally large breasts are nothing more than fat deposits.
Only adolescent girls who have not fully developed have naturally pert breasts. The mature breast naturally sags – and the larger the breast, the greater the sag.
Unfortunately, many women strive for a standard that can only be obtained with surgery. Breasts are the fashion accessories of the 21st century. And, like all fashion accessories, the standard will change in time. |
