Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what’s so hard as a woman about being called ugly is that someone is trying to take your power from you when they say that- snivelly teenage boys, narcissistic parents, fratty dudes. Ugh.

It's the original negging. I am no Angelina Jolie but... I've gotten 99% approval on looks from a young age. I've never felt "gorgeous" but my self esteem is intact and I know on some base level I'm not "ugly." And that's a privilege that I recognize. However, yes, there is always some guy who knows this is a sensitive thing for women and may throw that out. I remember this a lot in middle school and when men have dealt with rejection. It is a blatant attempt to take your power and make you feel insecure. I roundly ignored this it was so transparent.

I don't know how to deal with the parent thing. My parents were of the, "oh, your daughter is so pretty!" Them, "that may be, but more importantly she is smart and she is kind!" kind of variety.