How Important Is It to Be Attractive in Our Society? - Leyla

     

     Attractiveness is a societal construct that has evolved over time since humanity started to interact with the earth. In modern times we are closer to recognizing and defining some universally desired characteristics as conventionally attractive, expanding on the idea that people are physically attractive in a variety of ways. However, there is still a perpetuation about the singular attractive body reflected in media. The use of conventionally attractive people to portray an ideal lifestyle is constantly implemented in visual advertisements, such as for perfumes, clothing, nutritional products, and even medicine. People strive to be like models who symbolize the result of perfection, and it is what motivates them to engage in certain aspects of self care that not only affect themselves, but the people around them. Being attractive is unnecessarily important in our society. 

    The false narrative that continues to present itself within societal constructs of only attractive people becoming successful and an inspiration to others is harmful to people, and fails to embody the message attempted to be understood for years. In many schools and communities, educators aim to spread the word that everyone is beautiful in their own way, yet the media, an integral part of society and a controlling factor in the dynamic relationships between people is only gradually starting to internalize this. One might ask how they can expect to love themselves and their body if it is not like what they see in magazines everyday, deemed gorgeous and attractive. The culture of ranking people by hotness and comparing body types so decide if one person would be a better significant other or more optimal to do certain activities with. Using conventionally attractive people to occupy your company in order to gain a better image or perspective on one's self is a notion that cannot be taken lightly. To some degree, it's presented as self-deprecating humor which does nothing but contribute to the fact that the real issue isn't being properly addressed.

    There is no real need to uphold beauty standards, yet that has become the dangerous nature of our society. Additionally, how can people expect to have these standards when most of them aren't even a reality? The foul power of photo editing to bodies have lead some to believe they can achieve something conventionally beautiful when it is not even physically possible, and lose awareness of the importance of their health and well being. Eventually, those who internalize the harmful perpetuations of society become unable to feel confident in their own individual attractiveness that lacks representation within media. Simply stated, being attractive as is defiantly preserved in societal expectations is not important to the further development of humankind and it never will be. The kind of progression society needs to make is one that involves understanding the importance of diversity, and how that is so much more beautiful than trying to sum up perfection within a consistent idealized body and physical appearance that everyone is expected, or feels like they are expected to model.