Social Construction of Beauty

In todays world, everything, from what we do to how we look, from what we say to how we are, is generated with relation to society. In all situations, People form an impression of others, and people generally manage to maintain this impression they give. There are various attributes that influence this impression, which include social groups of race, age, gender, etc. A major attribute is beauty. What is beauty? Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. This Definition states that perceptual and pleasurable experience of a specific characteristic is beauty. Why does our society perceive only one type of beauty as complete beauty? Styles of the female figure vary over time and across cultures: they reflect cultural obsessions and preoccupations in ways that are still poorly understood. But, with the spread of communication, Western standards are becoming international standards through movies and television. The standards of beauty set by the society have gone through changes throughout history. At one point of time being healthy with a fuller body was considered beauty because it denoted that she was strong enough for Child-bearing, housekeeping and field-work. As the lifestyle has become more sedentary, massiveness, power, or abundance in a woman's body is met with distaste. The current body of fashion is taut, small-breasted, narrow-hipped, and of a slimness bordering on emaciation. The demand for such women in the glamour industry and its influence on the masses and society has led to the change in perception of beauty.

An old ad for weight gain for women and popular celeb Jennifer Hudson promoting weight loss. Why is beauty necessary today? The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a Woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows. Audrey Hepburn Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. Kahlil Gibran Quotes and Sayings like these have been popular and around for a long time. But society is hypocritical, when it comes to actually following or implementing these quotes. Beauty is and has always been the first impression that is created within the minds of people. It is always said that true beauty is inside, but no one actually looks at youre personality but at how pretty or lovely you look, how beautiful you are. Physical attractiveness will always be a prior ity in society. What is beautiful is good is the general perception. People judge beautiful people more sexually responsive, warm, sensitive, kind, interesting, strong, poised, modest, sociable, outgoing, curious, complex, perceptive, confident, assertive and happy. More positive predictions are made about the lives of beautiful people: happier marriages, better jobs, etc. Being beautiful and its downsides: Beauty has a lot of plus points but at the same time many stereotypical judgments are also made about Beautiful people. Some negative traits perceived by women about attractive women: vain, egotistical, materialistic, snobbish, likely to get divorce, likely to cheat on spouse. Beautiful women are considered to be inept, ignorant, inability for performing intellectual tasks, etc. E.g. Blondes are considered to be beautiful but dumb. Dumb blonde jokes are popular all around the world.