The Beauty Standard: An Age-Old Dilemma
Beauty standards have always been a dynamic reflection of what society finds beautiful with the changing times. They require women to constantly adjust and adapt to fluctuating trends, which can lead to insecurities and diminished self-confidence. Meeting these often unrealistic expectations is no easy feat, demanding women to scrutinize every flaw that contradicts the current beauty ideals.
Today, Western standards idealize hourglass figures, small noses, sharp features, and bronzed skin. However, these ideals have evolved over time and vary across cultures, projecting the environment and struggles of the regions and periods that shape them.
For example, in medieval Europe, pale skin was considered most beautiful because it signified wealth and nobility, contrasting with the tanned skin associated with outdoor labor. Similarly, pale skin was a mark of beauty in Eastern Asia for reasons alike. They also valued long narrow eyes, which were considered extremely attractive. Conversely, in many indigenous African tribes, dark skin, fuller figures, distinctive hair styles and body art were the admired ideals.
However, as colonization spread, so did Westernization, influencing global beauty standards to align more closely with traditionally Eurocentric ideals. This shift often marginalizes and discriminates against those women who do not fit these close-minded standards, contributing to further oppression against women of diverse backgrounds.
In the modern world, these degrading norms have become engraved into our society and the minds of women. The rise of technology has facilitated communication to a degree that was previously nonexistent; celebrities and influencers have become the epitomes of what we consider beautiful. The pictures we see online, the beautiful, flawless women we tend to admire are often photoshopped into a type of goddess, establishing an image of perfection that will never be achieved by the mortal woman. These airbrushed and edited pictures develop a temptation in girls to fix themselves and operate their bodies and faces to look like something that is naturally impossible and unrealistic.
Not only do these unattainable goals cause insecurity in women, they also limit a woman’s power and importance to outward appearance. They shrink women’s abilities and intelligence down to their physical attractiveness. This gives a man the ability to be admirable for his characteristics rather than his looks, yet eradicates that opportunity for women. All a woman has to do be respected is sit still and look pretty, yet when she does that, she’s disregarded and degraded for being just a “pretty face.” But if a woman is considered “conventionally unattractive,” then the world will slam the door on her lack of a “pretty face.”
However, despite technology’s role in magnifying oppressive beauty standards, it has also played a part in challenging and dismantling them. TikTokers, YouTubers, and Instagram influencers have advocated for an end to toxic beauty trends and promoted self-love and body positivity. Spencer Barbosa, a popular creator on TikTok, encourages embracing one’s uniqueness, stating,
"Treat yourself like someone you love. We often talk negatively about ourselves and treat ourselves terribly, but you need to start treating yourself like someone you love."
Similarly, Monica Ravichandran, known as “makeupbymonica” on TikTok, has worked to break down Eurocentric beauty norms by promoting inclusivity. She reflects on her journey, saying,
"Growing up I was always told bright colors look bad on brown skin, so it shied me away from bright colors for a while, but now my whole page is basically dedicated to making others feel confident to wear bright colors 'cause it’s so empowering."
In conclusion, while beauty standards will continue to change with the passing years and will most likely continue to exist despite our efforts, we must remember that our worth surpasses mere physical appearance. Our beauty is defined by those features that distinguish us, not by those that are categorized as “mainstream.” Instead of striving to meet society’s expectations, we should appreciate our differences and define our own standards of beauty.