Unanswered Questions on Youth and Beauty

“Ah, to be Young and Beautiful” (May 2) fails to pose or answer many significant questions relating to appearance issues and young women. Several that come to mind: How does the supposed “trend” of spending huge amounts of money and time on turning girls into glorified decorations square with the fact that more girls than ever are joining school and neighborhood sports teams? Are these goal-driven young women also draining their family budgets for leg waxings or do they have other priorities? What about the member of the high school chess club or the science scholar; how does she reconcile her desire to achieve with the desire to conform in a society that worships looks? And girls of different ethnic origins--what are their appearance issues and how do they deal with them? They’re certainly not represented here.

Perhaps someday, The Times will run an article about serious cultural issues impacting women and girls that does more than scratch the surface.

BONNIE SLOANE

Los Angeles

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Do we not care or have no idea how much damage this driveling coverage does to youth, not to mention the economy? Rome is burning, and we’re walking around on our knuckles!

PERRY BEZANIS

San Pedro