Research Paper on Beauty Societal Standards

Introduction

Women have made significant and gradual progress regarding beauty standards as perceived by the world. Culture is bound by the rules that women have attached on self-beauty across the globe. It has become a determinant on how women should look. It is important to note that cultures differ and therefore the definition of beauty varies from one society to another. Studies indicate that harmony among the women has evolved and reviews that there are however narcissistic constraints that have affected how women look and feel about themselves (Herbozo p.21). The media has exaggerated the average beauty standards making it hard to attain. It has come up with its way of rating the standards of beauty. In the old times, beauty had a different definition of what it is today because of the transition it has gone through as it is being shaped by the contemporary culture which is influenced by technology. It is evident that societal beauty standards have been developed by the cultures of different people and the media has heightened what is expected 'regarding the ideal beauty of a woman (Herbozo p.23). It is therefore difficult to define beauty using one definition because different cultures have different views concerning beauty(Herbozo p.26). It is important to note that beauty has evolved over decades through the subjectivity of societal standards. The papers will, therefore, explore the role of women view of self-image on beauty standards in our modern society as it has evolved throughout today's history. It will also refer to the Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne and the Fat Girl by Andre Debus

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In the Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the novel introduces Aylmer who is depicted as a brilliant scientist and a natural scholar who has abandoned his research work to concentrate on marrying Georgiana. Regardless of her beauty Georgiana has a birthmark on her cheek, and Aylmer seems not to be comfortable with it. As the story begins, Aylmer asks his wife if she has ever thought of getting rid of the birthmark but Georgiana says no but with a lot of seriousness (Hawthorne p.7). She says that people have always told her that the mark is a charm and she thinks it is. The conversation does not unfold well as Aylmer describes his wife as being beautiful, but the mark on her face is shocking. The words make Georgiana feel bad a thing that makes her cry. She asks her husband if she truly loved her if he is describing him as shocking. The birthmark is described as a red sport in the shape of a hand and is on Georgiana's left cheek. The birthmark is a nightmare to Aylmer, and it is a thing that keeps on coming to his mind that there is nothing constructive he can do. (Hawthorne p.9) Flashback is thrown, and in it, Aylmer dreams of removing the birthmark which he plunges into her heart. The narrator says that Georgiana is worried and states that her life would be at risk if the mark is removed, but Aylmer trusts his abilities and vows to remove it. They both go to Aylmer's lab, and Georgiana faints therein, and when she wakes up, she is comforted by her husband who gives her a flower that is so beautiful but withers upon her touch. It is a foreshadowing of her death which later comes after the mark has been removed (Hawthorne p.14). The novel explores the theme of perfection where Aylmer does not contend with his wife's beauty and instead he seeks perfection through the removal of the mark on her left cheek.

The novel mirrors how the society has set standards by defining beauty in their ways such that the beauty of a woman has to be modified to suit the individual level of attractiveness as determined by the rules of other people. It is evident in the unique birthmark where people give different opinions concerning the beauty of Georgiana. Her husband dislikes the birthmark on her cheek, and he looks for ways to eliminate it always using regardless of the dangers it poses to her(Hawthorne p.19). In another scenario, some men admire the birthmark a thing that they think it increases beauty to this woman. It sends mixed reactions on the correct standard of beauty of a woman. Similarly, beauty in the society today has been defined differently by people because individuals they have their own definition on what beauty is. Just like Aylmer wants to get rid of the birthmark for his wife to be more appealing while other men admire it the society have the same opinions on how a woman should look like in order for them to be attractive.

The Fat Girl by Andre Debus explores the life of a girl named Louise who is in this case the "Fat girl". Louise is a small girl who grew up with lots of love from his father but at the age of sixteen she never had a desire for men as it is the norm for any girl of her age. It is an aspect that worries her mother who is determined to help her lose weight so that she can be admired by men (Dubus, p.13). Her mother puts her on dieted meals so that Louise loses weight, but she goes back to the kitchen to make sandwiches without her mother's knowledge. At school, she is unhappy with her weight, and at lunchtime, she pretends to be watching her diet by taking salads only but on her way home she buys chocolates and candies. Louise hates her body a lot, and she feels low because no is attracted to her. When she goes to college in Massachusetts Louise meets with Carrie who becomes her roommate and a friend who helps her lose weight. Carrie puts her on a strict diet where she cooks and serves her the right portions of food (Dubus, p.17). Eventually, the fat girl loses seventy pounds and receives approval from her mother. Besides, he gets a man named Richard who marries her and together they have one child. When Louise is pregnant, she again gains weight for over eating a thing that worries her husband (Dubus, p.21). Throughout her life, she goes through opposing forces who want her to be what she is not. Throughout her life in high school, college and marriage she struggles with the aspect of beauty which is defined by people around her as having a slim body so that one can be attractive.

The novel is a typical representation of how the society today defines beauty standards for women. It mirrors the demands that today's culture has created concerning the beauty of women. It incorporates what a woman needs to be so that they become attractive. In this case, Louise is pressurised to lose weight for her to look useful and appealing to a man. It is paramount to note that the beauty of a woman, in this case, is not how she feels about herself but how she is viewed by other people. Louise struggles to lose weight first because her mother pressurises her and secondly because she needs to be appealing to men. All this is a reflection of the definition of beauty of a woman according to the demands of the society and not what a woman feels she should be.

In the modern society, beauty has been modified to suit the highest set demands as laid down by every generation that comes to pass. It is true that standards of beauty have evolved and technology has contributed significantly to this culture. Women no longer see themselves beautiful in their natural state but have sought modifications on their bodies, for instance, skin lightening, hip enhancement, among others this is a culture that was gradually incorporated into the attributes of the beauty of women( Tiggermann p.419). Ladies have aped the culture in the media as they see celebrities such as models and musicians modifying their bodies, for instance, to be curvy, lights skinned busty among others. Women do this because they want to attain specific standards of beauty that are trendy and appreciated by other people. In this case, one can argue that women want to become beautiful to look appealing to others and not for themselves. In the social media women post photo of themselves and they dressed down to impress people who will eventually comment on this photos. As compared to the old days

The standards of beauty have evolved, and the criterion in which beauty is rated is dependent on the current trends in the world. Old days features of a beautiful woman are no longer applicable( Tiggermann p.421). For instance, in the past beautiful women were said to cover their bodies well which signified a sign of decency but in the society today appreciates women who are dressed in most parts of their bodies exposed. When a comparison is drawn, it can be noted that the beauty of old days is no longer the case in the society today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note that women view of self-image has transformed from the ancient times to the contemporary look. The definition of beauty has changed, and women have taken a lot of efforts to please men through the modification of their bodies. It is not because they want to look beautiful for themselves but because they want to please men who rate them using specific criteria that it is trendy. It is significant also to note that technology through the use of social media has influenced how women portray beauty. It has become a trend to copy certain fashions and standards that women think they make them beautiful regardless of the harm it poses to them. Future research needs to focus on the essential attributes that make women attractive and those that are generally accepted as defining the beauty of a woman. Besides, it also needs to consider what men appreciate in a woman and if women want to look beautiful for men or them.

Works Cited

Dubus, Andre. "The fat girl." (1996).

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The birth-mark. Book classic, 2015.

Herbozo, Sylvia, et al. "Beauty and thinness messages in children's media: A content analysis." Eating Disorders 12.1 (2004): 21-34.

Jefferson, Deana L., and Jayne E. Stake. "Appearance selfattitudes of African American and European American women: Media comparisons and internalisation of beauty ideals." Psychology of Women Quarterly 33.4 (2009): 396-409.

Tiggemann, Marika. "Media exposure, body dissatisfaction and disordered eating: Television and magazines are not the same!." European Eating Disorders Review 11.5 (2003): 418-430.