Yes, I Support Beauty Standards and I'm Not Sorry At All

[Anonymous]

Conventional beauty standards & the rating system

Conventional beauty standards are beauty standards that society, as a whole, desires the most and prefers to see more often. The more of those beauty standards you have and the higher quality they are, the more conventionally attractive you are in society. The rating system represents the average rating that society, as a whole, would give you. My rating system almost always matches society's.

Beauty standards are universal

Yeah let's blame society for the things that we don't like. Beauty standards represent meaningful things. For example, facial symmetry represents a better immune system. As an artist, I noticed that facial symmetry is an important part of a beautiful face. A big ass represents a better spine. The list goes on and on. Beauty standards represent traits that are adaptive and healthy for us. Looks correlate with health and how adaptive we are in the environment.

Beauty standards exist and it's the truth

Beauty standards are the truth. People subconsciously know that beauty standards exist. It exists in dating and in relationships. Common sense tells us that attractive people can pickier with who they choose to date and that less attractive people would get less options to choose from. It subconsciously puts people in their place. No one, including me, prefers to look at this on stage...

Most of us would rather see this instead...

Beauty standards are inclusive of all races

Beauty standards contain variety because sameness is boring. For example, a short person can be considered attractive if they have an attractive face. Even attractive, fat people are gaining an edge in plus size modeling. Remember, studies have shown that most people would agree that the face is more important than the body. There are attractive people of all races, of all heights and weights. As a model, i have seen so much diversity in the fashion industry. Of course, there are people who prefer to look at one race over the others but there will always be people who can find other people of different races attractive. So they will pick out the most attractive person of each race. These people have been famous in the media for a long time and society will continue to be inclusive of all races and different varieties of people.

Why would I not support something that favors me?

Beauty standards put me at the top. Who wouldn't support something that favors them? Being conventionally attractive has caused me to get so many benefits from society. It has also gave me more confidence in myself. I probably would've not got all these benefits and had this much confidence if I was ugly or plain. Of course, ugly and plain people would not like the fact that beauty standards exist.

[peachblossomluck]

Ok, that fat girl was just scary! We live in a society of "shallow-shaming." I've been shamed my whole life for wanting to be good-looking, to be proud of being good-looking, to be in pursuit of maintaining whatever good looks I have, and for liking good-looking guys. I'm simply agreeing with nature. As an artist, I have an appreciation and respect for what is aesthetic. People act like there's something bad about that when it's only natural desire, can change your whole outlook and it's survival instinct.

[Prof_Don]

I agree, I have no idea why there is so much hatred for wanting to look your best, and appreciating others that do the same

[peachblossomluck]

@Prof_Don I've been hearing it my whole life and I refuse to bow down because my biologically-based honesty offends people. I'm not mean and rude to ugly people. I don't pretend they turn me on and apparently that's what we are supposed to be pretending in 2017.

[peachblossomluck]

Thanks for MHO :)

[MoreThanFriends]

Well apparently you were good-looking at one point.

[Nightinggale]

Nice myTake dude 👏

[LittleSally]

Beauty standards - support or don't support it's 100% your right. =)

The thing that disturbs me is talking about human beings in terms of the 'rating system' as you put it. It's sickening...

[burlen]

The internet has made it easy for individuals like the author of this myTake to hide behind their stupidity and ignorance. Look at OP's attempt to define 'beauty standards': "Conventional beauty standards are beauty standards that society, as a whole, desires the most and prefers to see more often."

Look at the tautology in that definition: "Conventional beauty standards are beauty standards". Using the same term or its synonym to define that which is being defined. It's like saying a beautiful woman is a beautiful woman….

Even worst, OP defines beauty standards as that which "society, as a whole, desires the most and prefers to see more often". Really? Operationally, there is no such thing as 'beauty conventions' or 'beauty standards'.

Just because there is a prevailing discourse of a particular form of beauty shared by a society or faction in a society, doesn't make it a standard of beauty, or is shared by other societies like Middle East, Asia, Africa, or South America.

However, researchers have sought to know whether people share a common perception of beauty. Some studies have attempted to construct model of beauty based on geometric symmetry of facial and anatomic features. Studies have overwhelmingly observed a universally agreed perception of beauty is illusive.

Many markers of beauty are cultural constructs (Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2016), which invalidates the false claim that "beauty standards are the truth". Different types of beauty perception exist among all individuals (Zhang et al. 2017). That is, beauty is in the eye of beholder, which is person specific and different persons have different beauty cognition (Zhang et al. 2017).

Zhang et al. (2017) observe that a person is recognised to be attractive because of their excellent personal skills and popularity other than their real facial beauty. Meaning, the components of beauty are tangible and intangible, which we could all agree the author of this myTake is proving he doesn't have.

[CubsterShura]

It's not about the beauty standards actually. Definitely I'm not against beauty standards, and although I have nothing against skinny/fat people I definitely don't idealize any of them.

It's completely okay to support the beauty standards, as long as you know that only because a girl isn't beautiful, doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with her (like big nose, very thin/full lips, too dark/light skin, too short). Unfortunately we pressurize girls to change things about themselves that they have no control over at such an extent that they take extreme measures and end up being anorexic/other mental problems. As long as you know looks aren't EVERYTHING, it should be okay to like what you prefer.

Sometimes beauty standards can be pretty unscientific/unrealistic. Dimples are actually not healthy but we all like them. What's with the craze about small nose/small feet? Big boobs and big butt yet a small waist? The waist and butt make sense, but breast size? It has nothing to do with milk production.

Do you see the black kids being bullied by children for their dark skin? Do you see that highly intelligent college girl thinking that her achievements are useless? Do you see that pretty girl thinking high of herself and belittling others? THAT is what has to change. Outer beauty is temporary, inner beauty lasts forever.

[oddwaffle]

I don't think so. While I agree that there are certain scale for beauty, it is not the whole thing. It's near impossible to put it into a quantitative analysis.

Beauty is one of those things I strongly believe the whole is more than the sums of all of its parts. Every standard can break something down to it base element for scoring reasons. However, beauty is something that can give you an extremely unique and amazing combinations of all the features that you would have never imagine possible.

Also, beauty standards are also based on evolution and economic conditions. Check out poor africa countries beauty standards, they are different. They prefer slightly chubby look because everyone else are skin and bones while the chubby look represents wealth and health.

Lastly, beauty is more of an art than a science. That is, at some point, perfect beauty isn't what you want. A slight flaw or certain uniqueness would create a much more powerful impression. Compatibilities with all the parts are also one of those whole is more than parts.

A beautiful doll is just a doll but a beautiful woman is more than just the looks. She is alive! With all the flaws and the perfection. She is more than just numbers on a scale.

[xHoneyxBeex]

I don't "support" beauty standards but I'm also not against them. I'm just indifferent. I know I'm not a 10/10 but I don't care. I'm still happy with myself and I've never had any issues with men. Ultimately, I only care about being healthy. Beauty standards have existed since humans have existed, so that's unlikely to change any time soon.

I think people should care less about trying to change "society's definition of beauty" and spend more time focusing on themselves and just being healthy. If you fit into society's "beauty standards," good for you. If not, it's not the end of the world. I've seen TONS of people who aren't conventionally attractive and they are still in happy relationships so if someone legitimately can't get a relationship, in *most* cases it's probably not just because of how they look...

[fabulouspancakes]

This is ridiculous because beauty standards aren't something you "support." They just... are what they are. Neither good nor bad, just amoral -- like the wind, or popcorn. You either choose to make them important in your own life, or not.
So yeah, you do you. Nobody is stopping you from being proud of your looks or choosing partners and friends based on looks. The only time I take issue is when beauty standards are used to be cruel to others. That's when morals become involved.

[nevermoregirl7]

"Beauty standards" you might be describing is something instinctual. Symmetry has been sought after since we learned to find attraction. There have been scientific studies on it. But I am a little confused by what you are describing as beauty standards. Does it really have to do with symmetry or does it have to do with body?

Personally, I find a person likes what a person likes. I have friends who are plus size and make good money as cam girls. And i have friends who are 90 pounds and do nude modeling. A body is a body. People are attracted to what they are attracted to.
However, you forgot the argument of media, and that we are served what is deemed beautiful by a select group of people.

[Battooot]

At least we all know one thing, you have your 'confidence' from thinking you are 'handsome'. Which means you are nothing without that thought. Others were able to get their confidence from better and more genuine ways, like believing in themselves, fearing no one, exercising to feel better about themselves, wittiness, sharpness, or positive spirit... etc. So if any accident happens to you that slightly adjusts your looks or gives you a scar... you'l literally be nothing (In your mind).

[desidoll]

True

[HoneyButterCup525]

I agree too..

[SaltAndLime]

This is like attempting to state that all people like dark hair over light hair.
Well maybe, some prefer only black hair, others only prefer blonde hair. What if I am a sucker for red hair?
Does that make my opinion wrong? No. It makes it mine! This may bother some people, And that's ok. Because it is my preference and I'm allowed to have my own taste.
So to be ok with a beauty (or any type of) standard is what makes you up to be who you are.
There will always be people who think people having their own opinions is... I don't know, rude, discriminatory, selfish, biased, etc.. if it doesn't match their own or what is "socially correct".
Just like what you like and feel how you feel. Just try to remain courteous as people try to give their views on your opinions.

[lolahh]

It's not about preferences. There is universal beauty. You can say for something/someone that there are not your cup of tea, but if something is beautiful, it just is. We've all encountered people like this, you don't have to be attracted to them but they are just beautiful and you can't deny it. I hope you understand my point.
And I agree with the article. I cannot see the point of creating false illusions that everyone is beautiful. That's not how the world works. But hey, whatever helps them sleep at night, in the end an illusion is just an illusion.

[SaltAndLime]

@lolahh I see what your saying. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder... so is it really universal beauty? Or universal preference?

[lolahh]

But if we're speaking about beauty standards, and then a universal preference, wouldn't beauty be the first and foremost preference? Nevertheless, I do see your point, but it's an interesting question to play with.
I don't really mind how you name it. What I mind is that all people are encouraged to feel as they are carriers of the universal preference, or beauty, or whatever. And everybody, at least deep down, knows this ain't true. And I don't understand why people have such a difficulty accepting this.

[BeeNee]

@lolahh I think the flaw in all this lies in that very statement: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." There is no one person on earth that everyone considers to be attractive. There are people within say North America who are attractive, and Asia who are attractive, and there is criss crossing between cultures and societies, but the truth is, we don't all agree that one man and one woman are THE standard. And the standard is always changing. The very figure of Rebel Wilson which the writer claims to essentially be ugly, is one that was revered centuries ago. Men would have gone ape crazy over her, but now those same standards have changed in this society, and will continue to change.

[BeeNee]

What makes a person beautiful? Really? Does it mean 100 people have to say it to you or just one or simply that you believe it yourself? Society is about conforming. Take Twiggy---that thin model who went against the standard of beauty at the time in the 60s--she totally changed the standards for just about every woman and what men thought was beautiful with her influence continuing today. If she just believed she was ugly because 'everyone' said so, we wouldn't be where we are today with our beauty standards, so the idea of universal or set standards or not trying to convince people they are beautiful doesn't really apply seeing as how beauty is not static and can and does change.

[SaltAndLime]

@lolahh I agree with that!

[lolahh]

@BeeNee I don't see beauty as subjective as people try to make it nowadays. It's as simple as that. And yes, you'll read a thousand articles about how Rebel Wilson's figure was once a standard. Maybe, several thousand years before BC, when humans created the Mother Goddess figurines. And yes, of course, the medieval times, followed by Titian's paintings of course, as an "accurate" representation of what standards were for the whole epoch. Seriously, do more research. Yes, people did prefer women with a bit more meat on their bones, but considering the hunger that existed back than, a better representation would be Demi Lovato or something, not Rebel Wilson.
And don't twist my words, I never said that a certain man or a woman are a definition of the standard. They are just representing a standard.

[lolahh]

And oh, Twiggy? Have you seen a picture of her? She is not ugly nor she was considered ugly. I just read more about her, she was the first to bring the skinny model scene look on the scene. But to say that she set a new standard? Just try and search advertisements for women products from that time. Being slender was very desired. And Roman Holiday was not shot in the 60's. :)

[JayCasper777]

Beauty standards will always be forever changing and based on a majority vote type of situation. The vote is cast like this. Men judge female beauty women judge male beauty.
Male beauty isn't that important so you never hear about our beauty standards.
Women tho it's very important. So if they don't meet the standards they are gonna be upset. Just accept that women will be mad at you for finding something unlike them attractive. It's always gonna happen because it means more to them. Not saying you have to change your own perception of beauty just know they'll always be a women that hates what you see as beauty.

[BeeNee]

I mostly agree with this sentiment, however, the same goes for males. If you are, as the take writer says, plain or ugly, you have less choice because "society" has deemed you less attractive, so you get less opportunity to date, less people call you sexy, handsome, etc., women ignore you... those guys know it. They complain just as much as women do (see exhibit GAG) because you may have 100 different great qualities about you, but no one can get to that, man or woman, if they aren't generally first physically attracted to you, or they don't do the online thing where you get to know someone first before a picture is posted.

[JayCasper777]

@BeeNee Yeah. Slot of guys are haters on girls that don't like them so true. I'm told I'm very attractive so I can't fully know this topic in detail. But you always hear about female beauty standards on mainstream outlets for entertainment and media. The news, Netflix anywhere really there at least one article or show on how men are jerks for liking women they like. Some guys are idiots because they put women down saying they aren't attractive. This is true but you can't tell someone to be attracted to something. If this writer is tired of being told his wrong for liking what most people have referred to as "beauty standards" he needs to just get used to it. It will be hard but freedom of speech means he's free to say what he likes your free to say you disagree but none of you can try to define beauty standards for everyone because it's a relative thing. It's opinion. He's gonna have to deal with the constant bullying tho that he's a bad person for simply having an opinion.

[JayCasper777]

I don't spell check sorry if it's messy lool

[BeeNee]

Meh, don't really see the point of arguing for or against this topic because on one hand, we know there are beauty standards as set by each sector of society and on the other, beauty is in the eye of the beholder; i. e., he says: "no one, including me, prefers to look at [Rebel Wilson] on stage," vs. the Victoria Secret model, but that definitely isn't a fact or true. There are people who really to the core of their being, like Rebel's look. He, nor I, nor you can tell that person they are in anyway wrong for liking what they like, in the same way, I can't tell him, or you, you're wrong for liking what you like. It's all a bunch of subjectiveness even though there is a majority who will not ever deviate themselves or from liking the so called standards of beauty.

[JayCasper777]

@BeeNee yeah, so true. It's pointless. Everyone should just respect others opinions

[BeeNee]

That's it in a nutshell. People are going to like... or not like... what they like anyway.

[Anonymous]

Beauty standards are linked to looking like your in good health and traits where familiar with.
I think race is only a factor to someone if someone has little exposure to the wider world not necessarily meeting them but just seeing them in media is enough ie pepole in cities are noticeably less likely to filter based on race in an online dating app (saying that as someone that lives in a rural area) and also better educated pepole are generally much less likely to see race as a factor because they know more about the world and other races don't feel unfamiliar to them.
Weight is a factor because of how we subcutaneously attribute it to health.
On top of this there's a bit of randomness and a desire to seek out some variety.

[Lee_Lee_89]

Different people (and cultures) consider different things beautiful. What was considered beautiful 50 years ago, (even 20 years ago) is very different from today. There's no one-size fit all in terms of beauty. I think it's great that in terms of things like modeling and the arts, little by little there is more diversity, but we still have a long way to go. Life would be so boring if everyone looked the same.

[Thebestyoucan]

There is a weird movement to disregard millions of years of evolution and say that everyone is PHYSICALLY beautiful.

When I see a woman I don't DECIDE she is beautiful. She either is or she isn't. It is a dangerous practice to tell ourselves what we see isn't true.

People can be beautiful for other reasons other than the physical and should be accepted on those merits, but let's stop pretending there isn't a standard of beauty that most people would agree on if they didn't think they'd be shamed for doing so.

[BertMacklinFBI]

honestly who would give af about a better spine.

stop kidding yourselves, you all just want that ass lol. leave the dumb excuses out of it that 99% of the population don't care about.

a hot girl is a hot girl. you don't need any other reason to validate why you want her other than she's hot. that kinda makes those people look MORE stupid.

[BuchitaBuchys]

1. Yes Im ugly and dont support beauty standards because they are part of the reason why Im considered ugly.

2. LMAO at that "beauty standards are inclusive of all races".
They aren't. How many times do we say rhat light skin is better? That blue/green/hazel eyes are great while brown or dark eyes are meh. That hair cannot be in afros, but should be straight, etc.

3. Its you're right to support them, but I dont think I could.

[MuffinHead]

Beauty is important, that's true. But the kind of wibe you are giving off here is not exactly attractive. It shows that that's the only thing you seem to be living for, what will happen when you get old and lose most of what you had when you were young?

I understand you being proud but why so proud that that's the only thing you think about that makes you happy?

[cynochroma]

This whole saying who's beautiful and who isn't thing. I think it's unnecessary for the advancement of humankind. Besides, the whole equating beauty standards to science thing, that's only partially true. "Who wouldn't support something that favors them?" Those that have morals, thank you very much. Also, why the anon if you're so proud of your opinion?
At least you acknowledge the fact that people who are born with desirable features don't necessarily deserve those features.

[RolandCuthbert]

You guys can really make. . . well. . . embarrassing posts.

Beauty standards are not universal. And American beauty standards do not cover all cultural groupings and phenotypes.

I don't understand.

[Tangent]

I definitely agree with you because most of the time the people that are plain and ugly aren't that way because they were made that way, its because they don't take as much pride in how they show themselves to other people so when they complain about beauty standards its their fault and they have to put up with it.

[vishna]

Biological standards (wide hips, nice waist ratio, clear skin, shiny hair) those things are very very different than the European beauty standards that have pushed down the throats of other cultures.
Your take never explains how they are different, if you see them as different-overall, this is a very shallow MyTake. This isn't informative, so, while I usually enjoy opinion pieces, yours isn't put together well.

[sedrftvgyhujik]

You mean race related things / looking european?

[vishna]

@sedrftvgyhujik Not entirely, like the QA says he's ok with beauty standards but beauty standards are really not universal. There were thousands of distinct groups of people before colonization occurred and European beauty standards were forced on a large portion of the world. And besides beauty standards like straight hair vs curly, this nose shape vs that one, there are biological features human men and women generally find attractive as a result of evolution as a species (not distinct populations finding x feature better than another)

[vishna]

The definition of beauty (outside from a set number of traits) changes widely throughout cultures, time periods, and so on, so for QA to support beauty standards is vague and it's like he assumes we know what culture's standards he is agreeing with.

[sedrftvgyhujik]

At their root i guess most traits we find attractive around the world and by far the strongest ones are all primal/came about because of evolution such as are they well suited to survive and reproduce and do they feel familiar to me/safe.

So you mean the more distinct things from a European culture becomeing the global standards. I guess it's to do with how dominant western media is and how most affluent countries are either European or mostly made up of pepole who settled from western countries such as America and Australia.

[vishna]

@sedrftvgyhujik Yea, I agree with you.