I think the real reason for the NG breasts is multiple childbirths and the attending weight gain and loss, not just gravity. My friends that have had a few children suffer the same thing, the ones that managed to lose the weight that is, the ones that kept getting heavier after each birth don't have the problem, and it is not cured by wearing the proper bra.

A few friends cared enough to surgically put their breasts where they used to be, a few didn't care. It's funny, the really athletic ones are the ones that fall into the latter category.

I wear a bra for comfort only, not because I think it will prevent the natural signs of aging.

An American recession would not kill OPEC's profits, we are not the only buyers in the world. Oil is a world market.

China and India both are quickly growing, their new middle class wants cars, etc. and all of a sudden have discretionary income.

Besides, during a recession how much would our oil use drop? Crops still have to be harvested, goods still shipped, etc. People still have to commute to work, longer distances than ever here in CA, and it's not like there is mass transportation to take it's place....and they won't be able to get much for their old gas guzzler(2 years old) even if they were lucky enough to be able to afford getting a new more efficient car.

I have to agree with a previous poster that points out that there may be more here than meets the eye.

One of my cousins is bipolar and has been extremely hard to deal with her whole life. When she is on her meds, she is acceptable, though still a little edgy. She remembers every slight given to her from childhood and feels abused. There is no amount of support or love given that is enough and she is usually angry and/or hurt. Her version of our family would be very different than the rest of ours.

Many people that are mentally ill can be very hurtful and hard to deal with. Add to this there might be a strong cultural shame if that the LW's mental illness runs in the family. The father may be very ashamed that he is to blame, guilt can make some people lash out.

BTW, your father cheating on your mother was NOT a betrayal of you, it was a betrayal of her. It sucks and may (or may not) show bad things about his character, I know nothing of their marriage.

I just reread my post above and didn't mean to be as harsh as it sounded.

I recognize the LW may have some VERY valid concerns and reasons for his anger, I just meant to say that the father may also have some hurt and anger issues and may feel a complete failure that his son was institutionalized.

Other actresses who have aged gracefully (understatement) and still get decent roles are Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Things change though, and even though Michelle Pfeiffer is beautiful, she wouldn't get cast as a cute 20 year old love interest anymore, but who cares? Anne Hathaway couldn't get cast as the mother in White Oleander, either, and it's the better role.

I have to agree with the poster who is telling people to lighten up.

I think the article was pretty funny and it rings true for what many of my friends are going through. Only one person I know is in any way freaked out, the rest of us are just kind of shocked about getting older, we don't "feel" older, we just are. My friend's grandmother (94) says she's always shocked to see the old lady in the mirror in the morning, that's not her self image. Our breasts remind us of the same thing.

I heard my Mom and grandmother discussing my breast and period, and though mortifying at the time, it was them just discussing the facts of life. It's hardly malicious. It happens with boys, too. Some of my friend's teenage boy's are getting a bit hormonal, magazines are found stashed under the bed, behind the toilet, etc. and that is spoken about, too...with humor. It's kind of shocking to see your kids grow up.

Hmmm. I just don't see this, this may be the problem.

"You may find it hilarious. Perhaps it is to people who

think it's funny to view older women as grotesque. But

it is not accurate.

I do not find my body grotesque, nor my mothers, nor my daughters, or my granddaughter's bodies. But there are differences. Noticing that I don't look like I did at 18, or 28, or 38 isn't a bad feeling for me or for many others. Noticing changes in my breasts does not effect my self esteem in the slightest. My friends and I have joked about the pencil test. My "less endowed" friends are not experiencing this at the same rate, though are still seeing changes.

I also find that even if I'm in shape, my hip bones aren't visible like they used to be. Who cares? My husband doesn't seem to mind, nor do I freak out at his aging body. I still think he's handsome even if he doesn't turn heads like he used to.

You CAN generalize that a sizeable majority of women experience some breast droopage as we age. I'm still at the Gurley 1 stage. Hopefully I'll be alot older before stage 2 or 3. I hope to live long enough to have the dried flower effect.

The women that do not have this occurence (I won't say problem) are lucky and in the minority. There are also women that have few wrinkles even if they didn't take care of their skin when younger. Good for them. It's not the norm.