Beauty Standard, Perception, and Obsession with Perfection
They say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but those eyes and mind are shaped by million years of human evolution. — David M. Buss
As we grow older, our self-awareness increases pervasively from overthinking the existential crisis, questioning our values, to scrutinizing physical appearance. I’ve been putting great attention to my physical appearance since high school, such as notice the pimples and scar on my skin, take a look at my disproportionate facial feature and my body shape.
Society seems to have a fascination with beauty. The tendency to look and feel beauty ranging in all ages, gender, nationalities, and cultures. This is proven by money spent to buy skincare and make-up products, pay for grooming services, or subscribe to gym membership. For extreme cases, many undergo surgery or starve to lose weight.
So the question is, what is beauty?
Beauty has been described as an individual’s subjective assessment of attractiveness that is influenced by current cultural standards. Although beauty is an abstract construct, and the proverb said “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but society has consensus (implicitly) on what is classified as beautiful. Traced by evolutionary theory, the human concept of beauty is tied with the purpose of reproduction.
Based on this theory, what we consider desirable in the opposite sex or our effort to look good, is not simply a matter of taste of arbitrary preference. This can be assumed like we are on an evolutionary mission to increase the chances of our genetic material to transfer to the next generation.
The purpose of reproduction itself applied to both men and women. But there are differences in their determinant to be classified as attractive in the opposite sex.
For men, fertility and good health are high on the list of determinants of what is considered attractive in a woman. So physical cues to youth and health were seen as attractive, such as full lips, smooth and clear skin, clear eyes, lustrous hair, or fresh facial expression. Fertile cues are shown in big areas of buttocks —play role in childbirth, and breast — for breastfeeding.
For women, determinant attractiveness for men is seen in their capability to provide resources for the future. The primal or ancient feature of this attractiveness including bulky muscle, steady posture, and athletic. As civilization and alteration in social structure, this muscle power is replaced by financial and political power.
Another theory describes the concept of beauty is related to biological in nature. Many research has shown that what is perceived as beautiful has specific anatomical arrangements and physical characteristics such as facial features and body ratio. Facial features including symmetry, averageness, and youthfulness. The body ratio such as waist to hip ratio, heights, and body weight.
These physical characteristics and evolutionary mission then evolved to be so-called beauty standard. They say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, but those eyes and mind are shaped by million years of human evolution.
Then why many people follow the beauty standard even if it costs much?
This beauty culture seems plausible tho. Research shows that people who considered physically attractive, receive more positive outcomes in life such as higher salary, job satisfaction, easier to find romantic partner, and other forms of happiness. People who considered beautiful are assumed to have desirable traits and superior quality in many aspects. Beautiful people considered more friendly and having good social attributes.
To gain consequent desirable quality of life, many people conform to the “beauty standard” or what is considered ideal beauty in society. People try to increase physical attractiveness even if it cost much.
But, we as human have flaws, unexceptionally physical flaws. It is normal to have acne, pimples, dark skin, curly hair, stretch marks, scars, freckles, short statures, thick or thin. That what makes us human. And sometimes it is okay to have dissatisfaction with our body. Yet, we need to accept our body the way it is.
In this era where advanced technology exists to improve quality of life, the purpose to increase our satisfaction with our body can be granted. So many beauty products to make our skin healthier, younger, and brighter. But in this capitalistic era, this industry tends to fear-mongering society to be flawed so people buy and consume more beauty products. The anti-aging scare people with aging and wrinkles. Brightening agents dictate people to have bright skin. This industry also contributes to unhealthy beauty culture.
Exposure to celebrity such as model and beauty pageant in mass media also convince people what beauty should look alike. Flawless skin, skinny body, and good facial features are designed to be trend-setter. This exposure makes society think the standard of beauty is to be like them.
The standard sometimes frustrates us with the flaws we have. This culture also has been spawning body-shaming culture towards society. It makes us fear not to be beautiful because we fear not to be loved. It makes us fear that society will prematurely judge us based on our appearance. It makes us more dissatisfied with our body image.
People who have obsession and perfectionism by nature, in many cases, respond in extreme ways. This group of people has tendency to perceive their body dissatisfaction as a disaster. People who have body dysmorphia have excessive concern with physical appearance even if unnoticeable and categorized as disorder. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a disorder with self-perception. Tiny flaws in appearance such as an unnoticeable pimple will freak them out. The majority of BDD patients are reported to go to beauty clinics or undergo plastic surgery instead go to psychotherapy. It cost great amount of money and risking their lives to feel beautiful.
Another form of obsession with perfection related to body image is anorexia nervosa and bulimia. These two types of eating disorders are rooted in cognitive distortion in perception. They perceived that they’re overweight or see themselves as fat in the mirror even if they’re skinny. Unhealthy eating habit also risking their health. Excessive exercise with no nutrition supply also danger their lives.
Unhealthy beauty culture has affected people through manipulation in human perception. This culture strikes worse with people who have obsessive disposition by nature. To unchain this toxic culture can be started by acknowledging that it is normal and okay to have flaws. I know it sounds so cliche, but we can improve our attractiveness in healthy way such as eat healthy diet, have enough sleep, and think positively. We can do better and cheaper than afford pricey makeup or undergo surgery. And then, not only to be physically beautiful, but there are so many powerful qualities to embrace that will make you shine, such as smart, having a good sense of humor, caring, or generous.
