Catherine asked "Why do people do dangerous beauty rituals that could cause (or do cause) bodily harm? Also, if you know of a beauty custom that was once favorable but now is not or illegal, discuss it as you answer the question"
Her post really intrigued me- people really do go to extremes to make themselves be considered as "beautiful", but we don't even know why. I honestly think it's just how society has grown to: just about everyone is self conscious, just about everyone wants to look like someone else, and just about everyone wants to be someone else. It's all ridiculous! People pay massive amount of money to tan their skin which poisons it, we mutilate and modify our bodies with tattoos and piercings (I'm guilty of this one), we inject our bodies with chemicals to make us look younger- all to fit in and be accepted by the world around us.
If beauty is really in the eye of the beholder, why do you think that people go to such extremities to modify themselves?
I believe the main reason why so many go to such extremes to modify themselves into something that they think is beautiful is due to the pressure from the media and their social environment. No matter where you go there are always advertisements for the next new beauty treatment such as new make-up that’s actually good for your skin, new pimple treatments, anti-aging treatments, ways to straighten and whiten your teeth, etc. etc. etc. Even in the work environment there is pressure to be beautiful. Many times people who are viewed as more beautiful even if they are less qualified are hired over the person viewed as less beautiful. These pressures not only apply to women but also to men to be handsome. Hygiene and physical weight (which are both a part of appearance) are also big factors. You wouldn’t believe how many times at my work comments have been made about other employees or customers such as, “it’s called a toothbrush and toothpaste”, “some water and soap would be nice”, “does so and so know how to use a brush with their hair?”, etc. etc. We have been taught through the media and for most of us our parents since the day we were born anyone who smells, is dirty, has crooked, dirty, smelling teeth (if they even still have teeth), dirty clothes or torn clothes, messy hair, etc. is gross and thus they are ugly.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
Although hygiene is very important do you think it is right to discriminate people in the workforce based on beauty instead of qualifications??