Culture of beauty. in SearchWorks catalog (2024)

FAQs

What is the culture of beauty? ›

The culture of beauty refers to the prevalent standard of physical attractiveness as dictated by popular opinion. Beauty culture usually focuses on certain features, primarily facial symmetry and low body weight, some of which may be rooted in evolutionary biology.

Beauty standards are societal norms or ideals that define what is considered physically attractive or beautiful within a particular culture or community. These standards may vary across different societies due to cultural influences.

According to a paper published by Harvard University, “Western beauty ideals include being thin and tall, having long hair, having light/tanned skin, having big breasts, large eyes, a small nose, and high cheekbones.”

From ancient civilizations to modern societies, each culture has its unique perception of beauty. Whether it's the hourglass figure in Western cultures or the fair and flawless skin in some Asian cultures, these standards often reflect the values, traditions, and ideals of a particular society.

America has a culturally accepted norm of what makes someone beautiful. A standard that is hard to meet. Being light-skinned, blonde and blue-eyed is the benchmark of beauty, of what is most desirable. But is that really what it takes to be attractive in America?

comely, seemly, attractive, fair, beauteous. beautiful, handsome, lovely, pretty refer to a pleasing appearance. A person or thing that is beautiful has perfection of form, color, etc., or noble and spiritual qualities: a beautiful landscape, a beautiful woman.

But few of these standards, despite their pros and cons, leave an everlasting impact on people. Every k-drama watcher and K-pop fan would have known how the standards of beauty are the gold mine of South Korea. South Korea bags first place for setting one of the most dominant beauty standards in the world.

They determine what is “beautiful”, from body shape, to facial proportions, to height and weight. Many scholars have sought to explain why they exist, yet there seems to be little consensus. From evolution, to racism, to social media, there are so many influences on our current-day beauty standards.

Today's beauty standard is fluid, diverse, and inclusive. Gone are the days of a singular, restrictive ideal. In 2023, beauty is seen in all shapes, sizes, colors, and identities. It's a celebration of authenticity and individuality.

Although beauty standards have changed over time, youthful appearance has remained a permanent influential component of facial attractiveness. Each person's perception of beauty is influenced by environment and perceptual adaptation, an experience-based process. Perception of beauty varies by race and ethnicity.

How do humans perceive beauty? ›

The leading theory is that we're hardwired to appreciate forms and patterns that are pervasive in nature, such as fractals, the Golden Ratio and symmetry, because they helped our ancestors survive. A symmetrical face, for instance, suggests good health and strong genes in a potential mate.

It is about understanding and appreciating backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs that differ from our own and creating a safe environment for individuals to express themselves. It is about blurring the lines between self and others so that we can gain insight and understanding into different cultures and ways of life.

The shortest is probably found in the Britannica Dictionary, which defines beauty as “the quality of being physically attractive.”¹ In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, beauty is described as “the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or ...

Japanese Culture

It is known for its exquisite art forms, profound spirituality, and harmonious way of life.

Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes them pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art. Beauty, art and taste are the main subjects of aesthetics, one of the major branches of philosophy.

Our associates are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to create a one-of-a-kind culture that ensures personal and professional satisfaction and where everyone can be their authentic selves.