Chasing Perfection

Beauty standards are firmly woven into the foundation of society. Everyone has expectations about how someone should look. These standards are extremely harmful yet this issue is hardly addressed. It affects every environment, including workplaces and school. Beauty standards boost a select few forward, but the thousands of others who do not conform are left behind with mental health problems and insecurity. However, those boosted forward may feel pressure and become overly obsessed with their appearance. Whether you fit into these standards or not, they will have negative effects.

Beauty standards determine what is “beautiful” by looking at body shape, facial proportions, height, and weight. They are different across cultures and influence views on appearance. In recent years, social media has taken a larger role in shaping these standards. Thin bodies and defined jawlines make their way onto magazines and different platforms and show the general population the conception of “true beauty”. In the past, wider bodies were considered more attractive because it was a sign of wealth. Wealthier people had more money for food. Beauty standards have changed over time as the standard swayed from large bodies to smaller ones. Now, with thinner bodies being favored, people are pressured to lose weight, even if it means using harmful methods.

Unrealistic standards are a cause of suicidal thoughts. A study about adults specifically found that one in eight people considered committing suicide because of body image. Even though they only thought about it, it still shows how our opinions affect the people around us. Small comments start building up until it builds up to a breaking point, where one small thing can topple you over the edge. Many people do not even realize how harmful their comments are. It creates pressure to shape yourself in a way that people will like you, whether it is a physical change or a mental change. People get plastic surgery in an effort to look prettier, which costs so much money and may cause them to look even worse than before. These standards are a source of harm that has an unclear origin.

Expectations and beauty standards go hand in hand. They have been around since Ancient Greece or maybe even longer. Beauty standards differ across cultures and have an immutable place in society. As bad as they are, it is nearly impossible to get rid of them due to being promoted by social media. However, there are ways to lessen the negative effects of beauty standards and be sure to promote body positivity and be mindful of the comments you make.