Beyonce’s in Rio. Madonna and Alicia Keys. Jesus Luz, of course — with Madonna. 

In Brazil, people celebrate their bodies and sensuality. I won’t suggest a problem-free sensual existence for one moment, because there is pressure for sure. But Brazilian women at 45 feel enormously more positive about themselves and their bodies than American women.

With a leadup to Carnival, I’ll share these details of Dove’s Global Study on Beauty. Before we criticize the Brazilians for their habits and cultural joie de vivre, the women at least have a better self-image than American women in several key measures.