Insecurity? Jealousy? Think again.

As most of you know, big news this week is Katherine Webb, the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron. She made headlines after ESPN commentators Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit overemphasized her physical appearance during the BCS National Championship Game, which then prompted an apology (unneeded, in my opinion) from ESPN.

I've long been irritated and frustrated by the state of American society in which men (and even women, in many cases) seem to value physical beauty over all else.

In the world of sports reporting, for example, there are many qualified female sideline reporters and anchors. Two of my personal favorites are Michelle Tafoya and Tracy Wolfson. Both, in my opinion, do an excellent job in gathering important, relevant information and interviews. They are, in my view anyway, attractive women who also act and dress professionally. I expect to see them in professional, attractive and flattering attire.

On the other hand, you have women like Erin Andrews. Don't get me wrong - I think Erin Andrews did a decent job as a sideline reporter. But she also seems to go out of her way to emphasize her appearance by dressing to highlight her physical assets. There have been articles commenting on the nature of her attire, for example, and I often expect her to wear more form-fitting and revealing clothes.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have someone like Holly Rowe. I frequently see and hear people attack her appearance and state she shouldn't even be allowed to be a television reporter, regardless of her actual ability to do the job well.

Now, who is better known in sports reporting and moving up the ladder? (It's not a rhetorical question, and the answer is obviously Erin Andrews.)

Back to Ms. Webb. I don't blame her for what happened. She was just in the stands with her boyfriend's family supporting his endeavors. (I do question how an Auburn grad could wear a Bama shirt, but that's a whole separate blog post!)

The events got me into major discussions with several people, both male and female. I strongly believe that many very beautiful women attach themselves to high profile boyfriends/spouses because of the notoriety and wealth that comes along with it. Webb is a former (maybe current?) pageant girl and aspiring model.

Guess what came out this week? After the attention she received, it's now reported Webb will be shooting with Sports Illustrated for its swimsuit issue. How convenient.

When I commented that she likely was seeking better opportunities through her relationship with a well-known football player, the men defended her tooth and nail. I was called jealous, petty, insecure and other fun terms.

The reason I am frustrated is not jealousy. I'm frustrated - and sometimes angry - that our society is one that gives preference to those who are more physically beautiful than those who have good character, strong work ethic, friendly personalities or generous hearts.

Despite a woman's efforts, abilities and talents, she may still be undervalued in American society, especially by males. I don't think I'm the only woman who feels this pressure, either.

I feel that despite my talent, smarts, education and hard work, I still don't reach the level of value in the eyes of most males that I would if I looked like a swimsuit model. Regardless of how hard I work, how many educational degrees I have, how much volunteer work I do or the fact that I can support myself and contribute to society, a woman who looks like Kate Upton will always rank higher on society's value scale.

It is more valuable in society to be physically beautiful (and maybe uneducated, shallow or selfish) than to be less attractive but of high moral integrity, sound character, humble, generous and hard-working.

You don't see the average male voicing his admiration for Michelle Tafoya, who is arguably a very attractive woman who is also smart, well-educated and successful. There is far more credit given for being "hot" or "sexy" - traits which are largely out of one's own control - rather than being smart, hard-working, well-educated, charitable, kind or humble.

Men may not completely overlook a hard-working, smart and talented woman who is modestly attractive, but it's plainly evident that the Playboy bunnies, the swimsuit models and the pageant girls are consistently elevated in society and often in the workplace, regardless of their character.

And when someone like me calls out others on this superficial and shallow thinking, the immediate response is just to label me "jealous" or "insecure" about my own appearance.

I realize there will always be women more physically beautiful than me, just like someone else's car will be faster or house will be bigger, etc.

But why does our society place so much more value on a person's physical beauty rather than his/her character, intelligence, work ethic or personality?