In modern day advertisements for clothing, cologne, sunglasses, almost anything, there is a half naked man with his shirt off. Almost always he has six pack abs and a clearly defined collar bone and muscles. He usually has extremely fine hair and a sharp jaw line to go along with it. This is one of few beauty standards for men. They are expected to be super suave or very rugged. One represents the sophistication of the modern day man. That he can take care of himself. The other represents a primal beast that takes nothing from no one, at least that's what they want people to think.
In reality it lowers other men's self esteem not only because they aren't like these men by physical standards, but it also challenges their sense of manhood and dominance. This challenge of ideals can cause some men to just feel inadaquite to the others. That they aren't as much of a "man" as them.
In reality it lowers other men's self esteem not only because they aren't like these men by physical standards, but it also challenges their sense of manhood and dominance. This challenge of ideals can cause some men to just feel inadaquite to the others. That they aren't as much of a "man" as them.
Women, from a young age, are bombarded with subliminal messages and standards of how women should be. They dont have a stupid " sense of manhood" like men do so they usually are more adept to whats going on. But if it happens from birth, it is the norm. For women, the beauty standard is thin, big boobs, big rear end, tan, pretty (caked in make up) and apparantly pose for everyone. But seriously, this is a little unreal here. Its especially concerning when young ladies actually strive for these things thinking that people will like her more if she was that person. That her false beauty would over shadow the years of self doubt and feelings of inadequacy. So in turn, she would look down upon other ladies who have not taken the road she has and some even shame them. This would cause possibly a lifetime of depression due to this standard that is in place. In my opinion, women's beauty standards are not only more rough than mens but also more widespread. For a man to get attractive, sometimes all he needs is a gym membership and a fresh haircut. Even the men who dont exercise dont get shamed by the men that do. This is the problem with beauty standards and why they should go away, but most likely never will.
I like how you also breached the topic about men and their beauty standards along side of the standards for women. Getting that perfectly perfect beach body that's in the latest cologne commercial is just as ridiculous as becoming the latest Victoria's Secret Angel. In fact, Calvin Klein's male models are, in my opinion, are the equivalent of the Angels.
ReplyDeleteNot only are the images harmful to young minds, but they both are impossible to obtain for many people. Personally, I've always looked at my height as an issue. Women are supposed to be cute and dainty, right? Well, I thought to myself, for the longest time actually, of finding a way to get surgery or something to make my legs shorter. Laughable and impossible to do, isn't it? But that's the way I saw myself thanks to all the cute little 5'5" actresses next to that tall, dark, and handsome 6' and + actors (which, I know a lot of guys that are insecure for not being at least 6'). Our bodies are all made differently and, because of that, we carry weight differently. To sum up the perfect body in one image causes problems that can lead to death.
Because of that, eating disorders become a daily habit for that thirteen year old that just wants to woo that guy, and suicide becomes a daily question for that eighteen year old that thinks he's not good enough for anyone because of his body. The ever changing beauty standards for both sexes are a torment to get wrapped up in. I've come to love my height and I wear heels because I look and feel good - if only more people stopped and did what felt good to themselves rather than what looks good to others.