“Once on the lips, forever on the hips,” my family members would say as I reached for another scoop of ice cream after family dinner. They attempted to confine me within a beauty standard that had previously been imposed upon them from a young age.
It is no secret that this unattainable beauty standard as defined by men to fit their attractions ultimately polices women and creates unrealistic views of their bodies. These standards are typically Eurocentric and include being thin and tall, having long hair, fair skin, a small nose and high cheekbones. These confines strip women of their agency, and thus keep them out of spaces of power. Therefore, reclaiming and redefining what it means to be beautiful deconstructs the patriarchal beauty standards that oppress women and alienate minority women who fall further outside the Eurocentric norm.
The National Report on Self Esteem found that 98% of girls cited that they felt an immense pressure from external sources to look a certain way, which could include anything from their weight to where they left or removed body hair. Similarly, according to a survey conducted by the National Institute on Media and the Family, 53% of American girls at age 13 indicated they are “unhappy with their bodies,” and this number grows to around 78% by the age of 17.
I have noticed areas in which this beauty standard is continuously reinforced by family members and strangers alike. For example, there have been numerous instances on social media and in real life when my leg or armpit hair has been clearly visible, and many people have been quick to assert that it is unhygienic and gross to see unshaven hair on women. When I question why they don’t feel the same about men’s body hair, I am often met with silence. The only logical explanation is that encouraging women to shave and then shaming them when they don’t is a central example of how men impose a beauty standard on women in accordance simply with their own desires. The hypocrisy is that they feel exempt from being held to that same standard.
To appear as men do, with unshaven armpits and legs, is to threaten them and exist in the same spheres of power and influence. When the door to these spheres is opened for women, the control and ego of men who have felt entitled to these positions is challenged. Therefore, to police women back into the norm is to avoid threatening male authority in influential places. It also allows capitalism and the patriarchy to profit off of skin creams, diet programs and makeup, which women consume to achieve such a standard.
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This diminishing of women’s agency through narrow beauty standards has real implications both in spheres of power, such as politics and business, and on women’s mental health.
It is estimated that eight million Americans suffer from an eating disorder, with women accounting for seven million of them, according to the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Psychologist Steven Hinshaw wrote that one in four girls today fall into a clinical mental health diagnosis. There is also a significant population of women who may not fit the criteria for a clinical diagnosis but engage in unhealthy and detrimental eating habits to conform to the culturally defined beauty standard.
These standards also translate into an appalling gender disparity in both private corporations and government.
Out of 100 seats in the Senate, women occupy only 24. Among Fortune 500 CEOs, women only account for a dismal 8.2%.
Since beauty is subjective, it is important that we remain conscious of the ways we feel most beautiful, rather than focusing on what society defines as beautiful. The natural diversity of women of all shapes, sizes, races, sexualities, ethnicities and backgrounds will shine through once we all take steps to look for validation within ourselves.
Patriarchal norms operate in covert ways to oppress women, forcing them to adhere to Eurocentric beauty standards as a means of stripping them of their independence and free expression. Thus, the modern feminist movement must encourage women to redefine their beauty, which restores their confidence, power and voice.
Grace Rivers is a sophom*ore in the College. The Feminist Intersection is published every other week.
FAQs
Five Steps to End Unrealistic Beauty Standards Once and For All
- Take the time to get to know yourself. ...
- Resource your friends to help. ...
- Identify the sticky points. ...
- Determine if the sticky points are really you, or simply habits you've acquired. ...
- Rid yourself of unhelpful habits; embrace the true core of you.
In order to be perceived as beautiful, individuals must conform to these unattainable standards, characterized by a skinny waist, an hourglass figure, big lips, a thigh gap and a flat stomach.
Why is unrealistic beauty standards a problem? ›
These standards are often perpetuated by the media, celebrities, and influencers, and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem in those who do not fit the mould. This can lead to harmful behaviours such as disordered eating, excessive exercise, and even cosmetic surgery.
What do unrealistic beauty standards do? ›
Unrealistic beauty standards lead to body dysmorphia, which is a mental health disorder developed in a person who immerses themselves in a sea of disappointment pertaining to their looks. They believe that their appearance has more defects than anyone else's.
How to stop comparing yourself to unrealistic beauty standards? ›
Here are our top tips for stopping body comparisons to protect your body image.
- Detox your feed and unfollow triggering accounts. ...
- Practice body gratitude and body kindness. ...
- Celebrate aspects of yourself that have nothing to do with appearance. ...
- Embrace imperfection. ...
- Be your own best friend. ...
- Get further support.
Unrealistic beauty standards
Social media platforms often feature images of people with seemingly perfect faces and bodies, often using filters and photo editing tools to enhance their appearance. This can create unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction and low self-esteem in both women and men.
How many people suffer from beauty standards? ›
According to the report, 16% of the U.S. population aged 10 years or older – 45 million people – experienced body dissatisfaction.
How are we affected by beauty standards? ›
The Psychological Effects Of Beauty Standards On Individuals
This comparison can result in negative self-perception, leading to body dissatisfaction and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Moreover, the pressure to conform to beauty standards can lead individuals to engage in harmful behaviors.
How beauty standards have changed? ›
“Over the course of the last 50-plus years, the American ideal has shifted from curvy to androgynous to muscular and everything in between,” Filucci said.
What are the beauty standards in the UK? ›
The UKs ideal body image has thinner legs and arms, as well as a flatter stomach. Women with fuller lips, a slimmer face, larger eyes, and higher cheekbones are considered as being more attractive, and men with more rugged and masculine faces are again seen as being much more attractive.
Studies have shown a very strong correlation between how a person rates their outer appearance, and how high they rate their self-esteem. This confirms what anyone who has ever been in high school could have guessed: more attractive people are more self-assured.
Who is more affected by beauty standards? ›
While body image concerns affect both boys and girls, research suggests that girls are more likely to be dissatisfied with their appearance and their weight than boys (24,25). In our survey, 46% of girls reported that their body image causes them to worry 'often' or 'always' compared to 25% of boys.
How many girls are affected by beauty standards? ›
One study reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen. When asked “Are you happy with your body?” 43.2% of teens answered “yes,” 37.7% of women in their 60s answered “yes”.
Why do beauty standards change so often? ›
Societal Influences:
Beauty standards are heavily influenced by societal values and norms. Historically, these standards have often been based on a narrow range (often white, European influenced) physical attributes, perpetuating unrealistic ideals.
Why is beauty important in life? ›
Beauty is what allows us to experience the extraordinary richness of our surroundings. Sensing it is like having a visa to our inner selves and the rest of the world, all at once. The interesting thing about beauty is that there is simply no downside to it: It can only enhance our lives.
What are unrealistic standards? ›
(ʌnriəlɪstɪk ) adjective. If you say that someone is being unrealistic, you mean that they do not recognize the truth about a situation, especially about the difficulties involved in something they want to achieve.
Which celebrity has unrealistic beauty standards? ›
A Toronto York University study found that the "slim-thick" image – the flat stomach, toned thighs, thin waist and large derrière appearance as popularised by many celebrities – causes more distress than serves as an aspiration among young women; more so than images of skinny women.
What is the thesis for unrealistic beauty standards? ›
Thesis Statement: Beauty standards can cause a great deal and risk to people in society, and are a ridicule of every woman in America; instead of letting beauty standards be socially acceptable, people should be aware of the harm that they can cause and that they are, ultimately, unrealistic.
