Why Beauty Standards Have Changed Throughout History

[Miyuki28]

There are a number of things influencing what beauty means. We all know what a beautiful woman looks like today, or what it looked like in ancient Greece, but why did the beauty standards change so much?

Health

First step would be associating beauty with health. So when we think about a healthy woman, we imagine her fit, with a a flat stomach, meaning she doesn't eat more than necesarry, and big breasts, so she will be able to feed a baby. Symmetry is always a plus point when it comes to health, it helps the body to functionate more effectively.

As se look back in history se van notice that fuller bodies were viewed as beautiful shapes. If we try to think with ancients' heads about beauty, we observe that at that time there was less food, so a woman with a fuller body was someone who ate enough food, even in hard times. That was healthy in their eyes, and that was beauty.

Status of women

Another important factor of beauty is how women are viewed in a specific time in the history. Going back to the time where full bodies were beautiful, we can observe that not only health defined beauty, it was also the fact that women were seen as those who have the purpose of giving birth to many children (also at that time few children survived until the age of 4), and had to mostly stay at home, and work at home, so having a full body would mean a woman can do everything expected from her at the time, the best way, at the maximum.

But if we take a look at ancient Egyptians, we see that women were more valued, they had power, they weren't only born to give birth to men's children, they were a bit more independent. Still they were fragile and their skin was silky. That's why beauty there, was seen as slim women.

And that's why their beauty isn't that far from our beauty today.

Today's women are not controlled by men, are independent, they have a job, can get their own money, and food has become a base element that everyone has (well, almost everyone...). That's why being slim doesn't mean that a woman's unhealthy, but if she has a fuller body it means she can't control her eating habits (I know there are women with health problems, but on first impressions we don't necessarily know that). Beautiful women are still women, but are also a bit musculous, so that the power they own leaks a bit on their appereance too.

Still, every single man has different taste in body shape, and don't forget, that without a likeable personality no man can stay too long with a woman. Oh, and also because a man doesn't only see you shape, but how you walk, talk and what kind of aura do you carry, confidence is always a big plus!

I am aware there are much more factors that define beauty, these are only the main ones, so that you can have an overall image on the practical side of beauty.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day! :)

[Warmapplecrumble]

This post was interesting to read.

I learnt something new.

I believe women now want to look more masculine to show their independence. It makes them look more attractive to our society. Fat is very feminine.

Any ways... people always say healthy BMI etc, but current research suggests overweight women live longer than obese and slimmer counterparts.
thescienceexplorer.com/.../overweight-people-actually-tend-live-longer-normal-weight-individuals

[Warmapplecrumble]

Thanks the MHO ♥

[zagor]

Women with extra weight used to be seen as healthy and coming from a wealthy family. Now that food is affordable and at the local supermarket, extra weight is seen as a sign of lack of self control and laziness.

[capturemyheartnow]

People have been misguided to believe that the standards of beauty have changed over the years. The body measurements of Venus De Milo have been considered over so many years as the best measures of a woman's beauty. Still experts believe that these standards are difficult to achieve today. A figure of 36---24---36 which is considered as the magic number for an hourglass body still holds true today. Still modern women will be more than happy if they can achieve this figure today. As per scientific studies men have expressed desire to get body with a BMI of 18.82 and a waist to hip ratio of 0.67 . But as we know only less than 5% of the women have a combination of such figures. So if we consider less than 5% women as desirable then 95% of the men will have to be dissatisfied with what they get. So there has to be a balance somewhere of what men desire and what they get as women will be unnecessarily be put under pressure to prove themselves as being acceptable.

[Miyuki28]

But a man to not lose confidence probably tells himself that his girlfriend is beautiful. When he sees a more beautiful woman he loses some confidence at the thought that he can't have her. So for men to feel as ok as possible with themselves and their girlfriends the televisión for example has to show average girls, or girls that make up the top 25% of beautiful women (after that 5%). That would mean that those girl are either average, either same as 1/4 of the other women.
That would be how it works, with my logic

[capturemyheartnow]

Most American women are of 5'5' height. So Earl carroll has given the average weight as 118 lbs , neck 12' , bust 34' , hips 35.5" , thigh 19" ankle 9' and wrist 6".---------The best 25% of Americans have a BMI of 18 to 23 and a height of 5'6 to 5'8. and they may also have a defined waist. So American man can aim for such type of women. If men get such women , then they don't have to worry about body shape much.

[Miyuki28]

That's kind of what I thought too. But I learned many facts from you, also made me think about lots of things. Thank you :)

[Tammy94]

Very interesting post! Maybe it is a question of whether the standards of beauty of a given era line up with the particular standards of a particular person--standards that aren't dictated as much by fashion as the person's own wiring.

[TomBradysJersey]

I understand and see where you are coming from on this mytake. But Let's not pretend like women don't have beauty standards for men as well. Some realistic, some not.

[Miyuki28]

Of course women also have standards, everytime has.

[Miyuki28]

Everyone*

[TomBradysJersey]

Okay I just thought I would point that out because I've had people tell me that I could get any girl I want, I am attractive enough. Even when I don't feel like I am. I guess I may have made this point because a girl hasn't found me attractive before?

[Miyuki28]

I see. Well you can get most of the girls with an average look. But that's only the looks. There will be a part of these girls who like you, and you'll like back only some of them (or the other way around). And after that there'll be only a few with which you can have a serious relationship (if you want that). That's why it's harder to find or get the people we are looking for. But failures only save you from being with the wrong person.

[TomBradysJersey]

At this point I don't approach girls

[Miyuki28]

May I ask what are you afraid of?

[TomBradysJersey]

I've never been accepted and even when I want to make move my mind tells me its best not to do so.

[Miyuki28]

I'm also a person who most of the time listens to her mind. Even though love is really about the heart. I am lucky because I'm a girl, and being shy helps many times. But talking to my crush always gave me anxiety.
One thing that worked for me was learning a bit about body language. If you learn some signs a person gives away while talking, it will be easier to convince your mind that it's worth the try. You don't have to flirt, just talk to them, even in a group. For example when a group laughs people tend to look at those they are attracted to. And there can be many signs to help you.
Also it is said that confident men get more easier girls. It's true that confidence helps, but confident people only take failure more easily, and if they try more times they have greater chances to get what they want more times.

I hope this helps.

[TomBradysJersey]

Thanks for trying

[TomBradysJersey]

At least

[Miyuki28]

If you have any particular idea on what might help, or if you have any question, I would be glad to answer.
I've been there, I know how it is.

[Anonymous]

As long as they ain't landwhales

[curiousnorway]

Interesting MyTake. But beauty standards for men has also changed through the history like women's.

[Drake]

would u say the beauty standard today is found on social media or on the runways?

[Browneye57]

MEN define what beauty is. And that's why things have changed over the many generations.

[Anonymous]

i think media has a big role

[Miyuki28]

Of course. I didn't include it, because media wasn't present through the history, but nowadays the fact that we see gorgeous women on TV makes man's standards go up, and women to try harder on working out. That would be absolutely alright, if so much attention wouldn't be given to looks only.

[Midget_Hug]

This isn't historically accurate. 😶

[Miyuki28]

Can you help me? Where have I mistaken?

[Midget_Hug]

Well Greek art generally doesn't have obese women in it. Actually most depictions in statute are average... At worst.

Also obesity was a sign of wealth, not beauty, in the Victorian / English era. They're not tied, many renaissance paintings do not depict obese women if you look at "historical depictions" such as Persephone's abduction by Hades.