While agreeing with Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett that possibly most young women today experience some form of disordered eating thoughts, there are also a hidden number of us so-called “recovered anorexics” who in later life still struggle with many of the issues raised (I am in my 70s). My “anorexic mindset” still uses up huge amounts of energy, so in answer to the question, “How long are you going to put up with it?” I’d say: “Don’t leave it too long, or it might become a habit that traps you for life.”
Name and address supplied
In 1990, I was the first female employee in my firm to wear trousers. Quite possibly my bum did look big, but so what? Now I look at my daughter and shudder at social media, the over-sexualised clothes for children, a million and one “diet” foods. Do we really believe “we’ve gone mad in our relationship with our food, and it’s a new form of violence against girls and women”? Surely true violence deserves column space, not some self-deprecating piece full of false modesty.
Raquel Campbell
Epsom, Surrey
Could someone please take Stuart Heritage to the pub and explain that he is way over-thinking fatherhood.
Dee Brookes
Buckinghamshire
Your piece about the Spanish prison system’s model for young people shows how brave policy can achieve results for society. We need politicians in the UK who are willing to make the argument for progressive ideas on the grounds of what is right, what works and what is most cost-effective. Sadly, we don’t have them.
Andreas Hunter
St Albans, Hertfordshire
Did you have to waste so much space on the views of an overpaid athlete, Daniel Sturridge? My role as an Everton supporter in his 50s has in no way influenced my opinion.
Robert Cruise
By email
It’s November! Any item of clothing that doesn’t keep your legs warm or hide your skin is the no-no, not tights .
Coreen Cottam
Bury
So Tom Dyckhoff thinks Carlisle is “a tad isolated”. Isolated from what, exactly? Please don’t use the word “isolated” when all you really mean is it’s a bit of a way from London.
Frances Worsley
Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
Modern Tribes describes us obsessive runners near-perfectly, including the spreadsheet. But we don’t stretch or run on the spot when we stop to chat. We leave that sort of thing to joggers.
John Tierney
Heswall, Wirral
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