The American beauty standards have become hyper-masculin and based on heteronormative beliefs. The standards are a product of our society’s narrow definition of beauty. It’s time to redefine the definition of beauty and change the way we view ourselves. Let’s face it – society has a new obsession with ‘booty’, ‘full lips’, spray tan skin, and ethnic hair styles.
American beauty standards are modeled after the greek goddess of love and beauty, aphrodite
In ancient Greece, the goddess Aphrodite was considered the perfect woman. She embodied love and beauty, but also had masculine characteristics. She was also a patron of sex and was associated with a wide variety of civic activities. The Greeks worshiped her for her influence on commerce, women’s bodies, and the sea.
The name of the goddess Aphrodite is related to the Ancient Greek word aphro, meaning “sea-foam,” but some modern scholars believe that the goddess predates Ancient Greece. The Greeks regarded the goddess’ body as the perfect feminine form, depicting her as a nude maiden with perfect symmetry. Aphrodite also adorned herself with symbols that symbolized love and beauty, such as a magical girdle and a shell. The goddess was also associated with flowers, such as roses and myrtles.
The goddess Aphrodite had many lovers, but was unable to choose one for herself. In the end, the goddess was forced to marry Hephaistos, a lame god of fire and crafts. She later had affairs with other gods, including Hermes, Dionysos, and Ares. All the gods loved Aphrodite and considered her to be exceedingly beautiful.
They are hyper-masculin
In America, beauty standards are more focused on appearance than on gender. Women are more likely to feel pressure to appear a certain way, and men are less likely to have their social media persona criticized. As a result, men are often less comfortable with their physical appearance. However, rising stars such as Timothee Chalamet are changing the way men are represented on screens. By breaking down the traditional definitions of masculinity, more unconventional male actors and models will be able to change the way people perceive male attractiveness.
They are based on heteronormative beliefs
Heteronormative beliefs are based on the belief that there is a single natural gender and that people should conform to these expectations. The belief in heteronormative gender is a product of societal and cultural influences that are ingrained in our minds. It is not a choice.
These beliefs affect how people perceive others. For example, they influence the social interactions between men and women. They dictate who pays for dinner, who gets hired, and how much people are paid. They also shape what people perceive as beautiful. And based on heteronormative beliefs, the standard for beauty is white, thin, and feminine.
Moreover, heteronormative beliefs have a negative effect on the LGBT+ community. They reinforce stereotypes and normalise behaviours that maintain these beliefs. In addition, heteronormativity has a profound impact on our society’s views on marriage, Western media, and gender roles.
They aren’t inclusive
There is a lot of racial bias in American beauty standards. According to a Sephora study, 40% of consumers think that they are treated differently based on their race and complexion. This type of racial bias hurts businesses. It costs them money to exclude certain consumers from purchasing their products. In addition, minority groups will make up the majority of the population by 2045. This means that it will become even more important for brands to ensure that they treat all of their customers equally.
Beauty brands can help change the culture by adjusting their messaging to reflect the diversity of their consumers. Currently, only 19% of consumers believe that beauty standards are changing for the better. If brands listen to their consumers and modify their messaging, they can help increase this number. Especially among consumers of color and LGBTIQA+ backgrounds, the calls for more diversity in the beauty industry are increasing.
They aren’t progressive
American beauty standards aren’t progressive. They are based on the prevailing view of what is “beautiful.” In the West, whiteness is seen as the most beautiful race. The definition of “white” dates back to early racial theorists. In addition, class plays a big role in the decisions society makes about who is beautiful. In addition, cosmetic surgeries are far more expensive than facials or braces.
They aren’t forgiving
Beauty standards in mainstream America have not evolved since the days of skinny, blondes and tans. Rather, they have homogenized and oversimplified women from all races and ethnicities, resulting in hypervisibility of those who conform to the standard. Women who do not conform are erased, subjected to potentially fatal surgical procedures, and deprived of societal acceptance.
They don’t embrace all women
In our society, unrealistic beauty standards have become a major cause of many problems, including mental health issues. This is due in large part to the way in which our media creates unattainable standards. In particular, images of “perfect” women are reflected in advertisements and television personalities, and women are encouraged to change themselves to fit this standard. This is damaging to women’s self-esteem and pushes them to question their unique selves.
Another problem with American beauty standards is the lack of diversity. One study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, found that only 19.8% of lead roles in Hollywood were filled by people of color. People form their ideas of beauty based on these images, and it can be damaging to minority women if they feel that they don’t fit in.
