Beauty standards are something that is enforced from a young age. Regardless of whether it is done consciously or unconsciously, there are small ways in which we, especially women, are told that the way we look is more important than any other aspect of our being. Be it always complimenting just our looks or commenting on our body and clothing, women from a young age are told that their appearance and their beauty is the only thing about them that matters. Despite being raised in a pretty progressive household (by Indian standards) and I can assure you that my family has done its fair share of ensuring that I am an adult woman who is a bundle of insecurities. It is to a degree that I feel awkward about being touched because that is how harshly I perceive my own body. So I resonated with these reddit women who answered the question “What are some everyday things that reinforce unrealistic beauty standards for women?” on the forum r/AskWomen.
Yes, why are women expected to have flawless and even skin at all times. Even when the model is supposed to have “no makeup” in the pic, they will edit it to ensure she looks perfect. Which real person looks like this?
I agree. Accept a few, most female celebrities and conventionally attractive women who further the archetype of what women and their bodies should look like. And most average women don’t look like that which adds on to the preexisting insecurities.
This is true. Rather than the singer’s talent, their fashion and aesthetic are usually focused upon. Something that unifies the fans into following.
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Why are women’s natural, no makeup self deemed “unpresentable” or “inappropriate” in professional settings? Like why is a woman expected to look absolutely perfect and flawless to be “presentable” in the first place?
Considering the panda eyes I have, this has happened to me far too many times. I don’t understand who these people are who believe that a face full of makeup is natural.
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I am a weeb and I will be the first to admit that most anime has the most nonsensical depiction of women. Most of the time the female character is just a damsel in distress who has no impact on the actual story. To top it all off they are sexualised to a disgusting extent regardless of their age.
YES! the non-inclusivity in sizing paired with the fact that you are expected to wear shapewear too. Going shopping is a nightmare for women of bigger sizes.
Okay, I have had my daily dose of relating to people on the internet. I personally am going through a phase where I feel unsure and insecure about my body a lot. And seeing all these women talk about their own struggles makes me feel less alone and gives me a bit of a confidence boost. While these societal norms are hard to unlearn, taking one day at a time and being kinder to yourself can help you tackle these insecurities one by one.
