Society and Appearance Essay Example
Society and Appearance Essay Example

Society and Appearance Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
  • Pages: 3 (811 words)
  • Published: December 19, 2017
  • Type: Case Study
View Entire Sample
Text preview

Oh Lord, if I cannot attain thinness, may my friends carry the burden. Sadly, modern society has taken its fixation on physical appearance to an extreme extent, causing many individuals to feel insecure about their bodies and resorting to excessive spending on cosmetic procedures. Additionally, discrimination against oneself and others is prevalent in this pursuit for a flawless body. It is crucial to remember that Barbie dolls are not living beings but rather artificial creations.

The societal pressure to conform to a particular standard of thinness, fashionability, and beauty has resulted in many individuals becoming victims. Countless people have been influenced by media images seen on TV shows, movies, fashion magazines, and billboards. As a result, a significant number of pre-teen girls are questioning why they cannot attain the attractive physique of their preferred celebrities. Research carried out at The Hos

...

pital for Sick Children reveals that up to 33% of girls aged between 10 and 14 are attempting weight loss. Failure to address this issue could lead to low self-esteem which might cause mild depression or even suicidal thoughts.

According to the Self-Esteem Institute, individuals with low self-esteem experience a cognitive disorder in which they perceive themselves as insufficient, undeserving of love, or incapable. This negative mindset impacts their thinking and can result in misguided beliefs and actions that diminish their value. Failure to address this problem may result in anti-social conduct or withdrawal from society.

People who struggle with social interactions may encounter difficulties in integrating into society, causing them to spend considerable amounts of money on improving their appearance. It is noteworthy how our physical appearance impacts both our emotions and financial status, prompting many t

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

make substantial expenditures in preserving an attractive image.

Presently, adolescents feel it is crucial to incorporate fashionable and exaggerated brand labels into their everyday attire. In educational institutions, there is a mounting competition over designer goods, primarily among girls. Designer products that are the most expensive, such as those from Chanel or Louis Vuitton, have the greatest social standing among girls in numerous schools. Nevertheless, popular brands for teenagers like American Eagle, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Aeropostale are also indispensable. Although an American Eagle shirt typically costs $25, a similar shirt from Walmart is approximately $12.

The impact of stigma merchandise on our mindset is surprising, as these compact apparels are highly valuable, with plastic surgery being an additional preference for those dissatisfied with their appearance, albeit a costly solution. Based on statistics from PlasticSurgeryStatistics.com, in 2003, women in Ontario incurred a significant expense of 180 for a mere incision.

While men spent 30.6 million dollars on enhancing their image, women invested 6 million dollars in the plastic surgery business. The makeup industry is also thriving, as cosmetics are widely used to enhance physical features. The industry is profiting immensely from consumer demand, particularly as society increasingly values appearance.

The annual expenditure on cosmetics worldwide, as reported by Wikipedia, is a staggering $19 billion. This amount of money could be allocated to more fundamental needs instead. While some argue that appearance holds importance, it is disheartening to know that physical attractiveness leads to better treatment of individuals, as demonstrated globally.

The emphasis on appearance in society is highlighted by the selection of only the most attractive medalists for endorsements during the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing. It is

important that successful medalists are treated equally regardless of physical appearance, as bias towards attractiveness can lead to greater opportunities in life for those who are more aesthetically pleasing. According to The Independent, sources have revealed that beautiful people earn 12% more than their less attractive counterparts, which is supported by research indicating that they tend to be part of more successful teams due to increased cooperation from teammates when surrounded by attractive individuals.

The text reveals that attractive individuals not only have a nice appearance but also tend to possess more wealth, success, and better communication skills. Unfortunately, People magazine exacerbates the issue by featuring 'The 50 Most Beautiful People' on a full page spread. This causes distress to readers as it implies that the only way to be considered striking is to look precisely like these individuals and gain their adoration and attention. The magazine's actions can be offensive and detrimental to readers' self-esteem.

Knowing that various factors can affect our physical appearance and the perception of ourselves and those around us is significant. Society's expectation of an ideal body can lead to low self-esteem, excessive spending on products to enhance our physique, and discriminatory behavior. Even though some alternatives may seem ridiculous, if it improves an individual's self-image, it is essential. Unfortunately, society concentrates too much on appearance in general.

Despite uncertainty, it appears that nobody will ever be content. However, it would be marvelous if individuals could embrace their true selves and appreciate their natural state. It's important to remember that external appearances are a reflection of internal characteristics.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New