No More Twiggy for Israel-But Should It Be Legislated?

I saw a strange article in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, stating that Israel will be banning models who are too thin and have a BMI of 18.5 or less from appearing on the modeling runway and in the Israeli media (meant for Israeli consumption).  We all know that young girls today--mainly in the secular, but many in the Orthodox world as well--are bombarded with images of extremely thin actresses and models who have become role models for how a girl should look.  This has contributed to malnutrition, poor self-images, anorexia and other eating disorders.

This law was enacted in March, 2012, but is just now going into effect.



I would not go as far as Ronn Torrosian does, in saying, " Israel, a light unto the nations again--" le-havdil, as they say--but an important point has been made, that girls should have better role models than deathly skinny actresses and models.  This model below looks as if she is a concentration camp inmate, starving to death.






On the other hand, is it right to force a change like this on the populace from the top down? From the government, a decree outlawing this? Isn't it better if their is a cultural change, beginning with education, in schools, work places and houses of worship?  I don't like the idea of making it illegal.  It smacks of prohibition, and that didn't work.


What do you think?

Here is a chart where you can calculate your own BMI (Body Mass Index) by finding your height in the column on the left, and looking for your weight on the corresponding row.  Won't tell you what mine is...

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