The New "Guidelines"

Notice I said "Guidelines", NOT RESTRICTIONS.

The too-thin model debate continues with the, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) weighing in and issuing guidelines that revolve around education, not exclusion. "Designers share a responsibility to protect women, and very young girls in particular, within the business, sending the message that beauty is health," read the guidelines. "The fashion industry [will] begin a campaign of awareness and create an atmosphere that supports the well-being of these young women." CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg led the panel that is asking that designers do such things as not hire models under 16 for runway shows and not allow girls under 18 to work past midnight; to provide healthy meals and snacks backstage at fashion shows and ban smoking and the consumption of alcohol; and to educate the industry through workshops about eating disorders. The CFDA Health Initiative will present a discussion on this topic on February 5 during New York's fashion week. ...

While some are saying "at least they're doing something," others, like myself, don't believe this is enough. These should be mandatory rules. Other countries have mandatory rules in place, so why shouldn't the U.S.