THE FLAWS OF BEAUTY STANDARDS PT1
Beauty is a concept that has captivated human beings for centuries. From the symmetrical features of ancient Greek sculptures to the airbrushed faces on modern magazine covers, society has always had its ideas of what constitutes beauty. These ideas, however, are not just simple preferences. They are standards — rigid, often unattainable ideals that dictate how people should look, behave, and even feel about themselves. While the concept of beauty might seem benign or even inspiring at first glance, the truth is that beauty standards are riddled with flaws. They shape and distort our perceptions of self-worth, create divisions, and often lead to harmful behaviors and attitudes. This blog explores the complexities of beauty standards, shedding light on how they impact our lives and questioning the value they hold in our society.
The Historical Roots of Beauty Standards
The idea of beauty standards is not new; it has deep historical roots. In ancient civilizations, beauty was often associated with divine favor and moral goodness. The Greeks, for instance, believed in the concept of “kalokagathia,” a term that fused the ideas of physical beauty and moral virtue. For them, to be beautiful was to be good, and to be good was to be beautiful. This conflation of aesthetics and ethics laid the groundwork for beauty standards that would evolve over the centuries.
During the Renaissance, beauty was tied to artistic ideals, with symmetry, proportion, and harmony being celebrated as the epitome of physical perfection. These standards were immortalized in paintings and sculptures, creating a lasting image of what the “ideal” human should look like. Yet, even as these ideals were being codified, they were exclusionary, catering only to those who fit a narrow set of criteria — criteria that were often based on race, class, and gender.
As societies became more interconnected, these beauty standards spread, morphing with cultural exchanges but always retaining an element of exclusivity. The modern era, particularly with the advent of mass media, has seen the proliferation of beauty standards on an unprecedented scale. With the rise of advertising, television, and, later, social media, these standards have become more pervasive, influencing billions of people around the world.
The Narrowness of Conventional Beauty
One of the most glaring flaws of beauty standards is their narrowness. Beauty, as defined by mainstream media and popular culture, often excludes a vast majority of people. The “ideal” body type is typically slim, toned, and youthful. The “ideal” face is often symmetrical, with smooth skin, large eyes, and full lips. Hair should be thick and glossy, preferably straight or with a slight wave. Skin color? The lighter, the better. These criteria are not only unrealistic for most people but also steeped in historical prejudices and biases.
The problem with this narrow definition of beauty is that it sets up an impossible standard for most people to achieve. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, faces are diverse in their features, and skin tones vary across a wide spectrum. Yet, the dominant beauty standards fail to reflect this diversity, leading many to feel inadequate, unworthy, or invisible. Literally.
This exclusion is particularly harmful to those who are already marginalized in society. For example, people of color often find themselves at odds with beauty standards that favor Eurocentric features. This can lead to feelings of inferiority and even self-loathing, as they are made to feel that their natural appearance is somehow “less than.” Similarly, those who do not conform to the “ideal” body type — whether due to genetics, health conditions, or lifestyle choices — are often stigmatized and shamed.
The Harmful Effects on Self-Esteem
The pressure to conform to beauty standards can have devastating effects on self-esteem. From a young age, people are bombarded with images of “perfection” — images that have been carefully curated, edited, and manipulated to create an ideal that doesn’t exist in reality. This constant exposure to unattainable beauty can lead to a pervasive sense of inadequacy. Many begin to believe that their worth is tied to their appearance, and when they don’t measure up to the ideal, their self-esteem suffers.
The impact of this can be seen across various age groups, but it is particularly pronounced in teenagers and young adults. Adolescence is a critical time for self-discovery and identity formation, and the pressure to meet beauty standards can derail this process. Studies have shown that young people who internalize these standards are more likely to experience body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and depression. They may resort to extreme measures to alter their appearance, such as restrictive dieting, excessive exercise, or even cosmetic surgery. In some cases, this can lead to eating disorders, which have serious physical and psychological consequences. As a teen I can relate to an extent.
For adults, the pressure to conform to beauty standards doesn’t necessarily diminish with age. Instead, it often evolves into a fear of aging and the loss of youth. In a culture that glorifies youthful beauty, aging is often seen as a decline — a process that must be resisted at all costs. This has given rise to a booming anti-aging industry, with billions of dollars spent annually on products and procedures designed to “turn back the clock.” However, the relentless pursuit of youth can lead to an unhealthy obsession with appearance, where natural signs of aging are viewed as flaws to be corrected rather than as natural parts of life.
The Commodification of Beauty
The flaws of beauty standards are further compounded by the way beauty has been commodified. In a capitalist society, beauty is big business. The beauty industry — encompassing everything from skincare and cosmetics to fashion and fitness — is worth hundreds of billions of dollars globally. This industry thrives on the insecurities of consumers, selling them the promise of beauty, happiness, and acceptance. But this promise is often empty, as the standards it upholds are impossible for most to attain. Sometimes one skin care product is worth around 50$ — then begins to trend — increase in revenue. At times I think to myself why do people spend so much, yet it also understandable because when I see a product workingh for someone else I jump to make a purchase. Knowing that people all over the world have different skin types.
Advertising plays a crucial role in perpetuating beauty standards. Brands use models and celebrities who epitomize the idealized version of beauty to sell their products. These images are often heavily edited to remove any imperfections, creating a false reality that consumers are encouraged to aspire to. The message is clear: to be beautiful, and therefore valuable, you need to buy what they’re selling.
The commodification of beauty also perpetuates the idea that beauty is something that can be bought or manufactured. This reduces the concept of beauty to a series of products and procedures, stripping it of its deeper, more intrinsic value. It also reinforces the notion that one’s appearance is never good enough, that there is always something that needs to be improved, enhanced, or fixed. This endless cycle of dissatisfaction and consumption keeps the beauty standardized, instead of what it is.
Disclaimer : Images I used are just images to give an idea not saying they are part of the flaw in beauty . The women in them are beautiful inside and out.
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