Everyday, we are bombarded with images of ideal beauty. But the standards of beauty are arbitrary and change greatly over time and from culture to culture. Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors that influence our standards of beauty. In the first place, let’s examine the biological processes behind attraction. We know that attractors like to look at pretty women. But why do we choose the standards of beauty that we do?
Marilyn Monroe was the ideal standard of beauty
As a cultural icon, Marilyn Monroe influenced the standard of beauty for women for decades. She set new standards and trends for women’s appearance, including the slimming trend of the 1950s. She embodied the ideal of beauty, with good looks and an appealing persona. The fifties were a time when beauty standards were based on thin waists and large thighs, as well as blonde hair and blue or green eyes. In addition, men were portrayed as tall and thin, which was influenced by the war effort.
In addition to her sexy appearance, Marilyn Monroe had a variety of other interests. A self-proclaimed book nerd, Monroe read widely and favored books by James Joyce and Nietzsche. Her sensitivity to literature and her love of nature made her a compelling role model. But despite her sexy image, she exhibited other traits that are important to modern women today. For example, she had an active social life outside of Hollywood.
White women are still the standard of beauty
The beauty industry perpetuates the idea that white women are the only “real” women. It is a deeply harmful misconception that only white women can be beautiful. Despite the efforts of the beauty industry to diversify its brand image, white women still hold the standard of beauty. While removing “normal” from Unilever’s ad copy is a first step in the right direction, the company still needs to do more to ensure that it reflects the diverse values of women everywhere.
In spite of the disparity between race, gender, and economic status, white women continue to be the standard of beauty. While colored women have their fair skin and other desirable features, they rarely match the standard of beauty that is attributed to white women. Because of this, white women are still the standard of beauty, even if black women often idolize white women. While it’s true that other races have their own attractive qualities, white women still set the standard for beauty in most cultures.
Attraction is a biological process
While most studies of the nature of attraction have focused on sexual attraction, the phenomenon is multifaceted and extends to many other aspects of beauty. We find ourselves attracted to infants, leaders, friends, and even other members of our own communities. While certain facial qualities are universally attractive, others are dependent on the individual judging them. For example, male leaders with babyish facial features do not have the same level of attraction as men with more mature facial features. Similarly, the appearance of an attractive person is correlated with his or her sexual appeal, and this effect has a profound effect on social interactions and behavior.
Attraction has evolved from animal attraction. Today, it has become a common human feeling that we fall in love at first sight. The biological factors underlying attraction are largely unknown. While there is no scientific proof that attractive features are linked to sexual attraction, researchers have begun to unravel the biological processes that underlie attraction. While the precise mechanisms are not fully understood, some studies have shown that attractive traits are present in a wide variety of organisms, including humans.
Media influence on standards of beauty
Our exposure to social media can have a powerful impact on our mental, emotional, and physical health. Constant exposure to photos of models, celebrities, and other people of all ages can sway our standards of beauty. The media promotes unrealistic standards of beauty, and we are often influenced by them. This can have detrimental effects on our self-esteem and our self-image. Here are some examples of the effects of social media on our beauty standards:
As the media creates unrealistic images of beauty, children may see those images as their ideal. While these images may seem attainable, they are not realistic. Children should be taught to resist the influence of media messages and look at a realistic version of themselves. Young people are bombarded with thousands of messages every day, from television to magazines to websites and blogs to social media and music videos. It’s important to set a realistic example for them.
Efforts to decolonize the concept of beauty
Attempts to decolonize the concept of the beauty industry have come to the fore with the 15% pledge, which challenges companies to sell products that cater to Black consumers. Historically, beauty products have been centered on white women, and this reflects the lack of diversity in the industry. Efforts to decolonize the concept of beauty have been met with resistance from the outside world.
In addition to boycotting companies that use products made by white people, decolonizing the concept of beauty involves purchasing from brands owned by people of color. In addition to purchasing products from POC-owned brands, individuals can also make an effort to avoid companies that employ people of color in their manufacturing. Decolonization is an ongoing process and requires self-reflection. Once the process is established, it is easy to transfer this approach to other aspects of one’s life.