1. Yes, I wish the insecurity that so many fall prey to would just go away. It's terrible when we take our value and just hand it over to someone else to affirm or deny.

There are some folks (men and women) for which physical beauty is the end all. Let them have their youngsters, and leave everyone else to more meaningful business.

Posted at 3:26PM on May 2nd 2008 by queenoqueens

2. I have to say that, at 32, I definitely feel the strain of growing older on my appearance. It was all so easy in my 20s, looking good, keeping fit, never put on an ounce of weight, endless energy. I looked and felt YOUNG, beautiful, desirable!

Now, well, not so much. My face is showing the signs of age, wrinkles and loss of elasticity. My body is fit, but doesn't hold it in the same way. If that makes sense. There is no tiny waist and pert little back side. I look like somebody's mother. Somebody's mother who works out every day, sure, but still, a mom.

And, heck, I AM a mom! But, it doesn't meant that its easy to deal with the loss of all of that powerful sexuality and youth. My husband is no spring chicken himself, but sure, if he could have a 22 year old, he'd be off like a shot. I know that we'd all love to say, "Not MY husband!", but I'm simply being honest. Is not exactly unheard of.

Posted at 4:06PM on May 2nd 2008 by Nicola

3. You have to realise that Jenny and Jim live within a culture in which women 30+ have extremely limited viability and almost non-existent sexual worth. Famous men of any age, physical shape and proclivity (as long as they are rich and/or famous) can have their pick of any 18-22 year old girl fresh off a bus, desperate to get ahead in any way. And the men, to an extent that would really blow your mind despite the general normalness of mean elsewhere on the continent, have accepted it as the normal culture.

I think hearing a funny, smart, loving woman of any age say such a thing as Jenny had is a bit sad, but considering they are from LA, it's understandable.

Posted at 4:21PM on May 2nd 2008 by mamaloo

4. Being that I TOTALLY see where she's coming from, and also that I am a southern California native, seriously, am I skewed by my cultural upbringing? Is this not normal? I'm not being snarky. I'm being serious! I live in the midwest now as an adult, but obviously my entire worldview was shaped by growing up in southern CA (where I was born and lived until grad school). I'm interested to see how other ladies feel on this topic. Because, me, I feel very "ick" and old in my 32 year old body...

Posted at 6:50PM on May 2nd 2008 by Nicola

5. I think it is very much a part of that culture.

Me, I'm 37. I've never bought into the beauty myth, so turning 30 didn't phase me one little bit. As I've gotten older, I have shed more and more of the accoutrements of fashion until all that is left is me. I surround myself with people who have similar worldviews. As a mother and a business person, the last thing I have time for is pining for the perfect heels or fancy purses or the right colour lipstick.

But, if you grew up in a culture obsessed with youth and looks, where young nubile girls were arriving daily willing to do anything asked of them, the other side of 30 would seem old and crochety.

And, while I don't think men are imbeciles, I think it must be VERY hard to not think with your d&ck when you live in a culture that is as permissive as SoCal's is, where young flesh is constantly on offer and new flesh is constantly being restocked.

Thank goodness I live up here in the frigid north amidst a micro-culture of artists and thinkers. There's less pressure and judgment regarding age and looks, in my experience.

Posted at 5:09PM on May 2nd 2008 by mamaloo

6. I'm going to file this one under "taken out of context". One, I'm willing to bet alot of men would take 35 year old Jenny over a handful of 20 somethings.
Second, like another poster stated Men of fame, such as Jim do have the option to pursue younger, "prettier" women. BUT... I have a feeling Jenny is reffering more to the idled responsibility of these perfect breasted women vs. choosing to spend his time with a 35 year old MOM with a "special" needs child. Though, Jim seems like just the right kind of person to deal with a child with Autism.

Posted at 5:10PM on May 2nd 2008 by Derek

7. i think you nailed it. taken out of context and i also think she was talking about the "perfect breasted 20 yr old woman vs. choosing to spend his time with a 35 year old MOM with a "special" needs child"

Posted at 5:47PM on May 2nd 2008 by spotlight

8. My husband is a personal trainer at the elite level of his field working in LA/Hollywood. He could have any bimbo that he wanted (he is also in amazing shape so it isn't like we are talking hypothetically.) He has dated them before and he chose me. I am not in perfect shape and wasn't when we met. He is 29 and I am 31. "Perfection" of body is not always the most desirable thing. Personally I feel sexier with each passing year. Sexy is not always about what your body looks like but how you carry yourself; that is something most 22 year olds just don't get and something any real man totally understands.

Posted at 5:13PM on May 2nd 2008 by Jennifer

9. I'm thinking that she meant something closer to "I'll love him forever for it." Because like others have pointed out, it's more than just the fact that she's not 20 any more.

I'm 48, my Husband is 40. He happens to prefer older women. Until 10 years ago he never even conceived of being married to anyone. He didn't lack in female companionship. He chose to marry me, raise a child with me, and he stays faithful to me. Because he loves me, and I love him.

Posted at 7:02PM on May 2nd 2008 by Becca

10. I'm not too familiar with her attitude. My main beef with my body isn't how it looks but its milk production capacity and its tendency to preeclampsia. Other than that it does what I need it to, so that's great!

Posted at 9:06PM on May 2nd 2008 by Eva

11. "Me, I'm 37. I've never bought into the beauty myth, so turning 30 didn't phase me one little bit."

Me, too. I think the difference is that, for me, being pretty was never a part of where I got my self-esteem. I think I'm pretty enough and I'm in good shape and I have all my original parts. :) But my self-esteem was always more about being well-read and funny and educated and hopefully interesting. So as my looks inevitibly deteriorate, it's not such a big deal because I'm still well-read and funny and educated and hopefully interesting. When you measure your self-worth based on your looks, that's a losing proposition.

Posted at 10:00PM on May 2nd 2008 by JustMyThoughts

12. There are a ton of celebrities we could criticize for perpetuating negative stereotypes, but I don't think Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey belong in that category.

I agree that she was just trying to express how much she loves him. I'm grateful my husband fell in love with me, but I don't think that insinuates I'm undeserving. I'm just thankful for him, and him for me (I would hope!).

They seem to be genuinely happy. I say good for them!

Carolyn

http://www.momsontheedge.ca

Posted at 2:57AM on May 3rd 2008 by Carolyn