Beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place,
object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or
satisfaction. Beauty is studied as part of aesthetics, sociology, social
psychology, and culture. An "ideal beauty" is an entity which is
admired, or possesses features widely attributed to beauty in a particular
culture, for perfection.
The experience of "beauty" often involves an
interpretation of some entity as being in balance and harmony with nature,
which may lead to feelings of attraction and emotional well-being. Because this
can be a subjective experience, it is often said that "beauty is in the
eye of the beholder."
Human beauty
The characterization of a person as “beautiful”, whether on
an individual basis or by community consensus, is often based on some
combination of inner beauty, which includes psychological factors such as
personality, intelligence, grace, politeness, charisma, integrity, congruence
and elegance, and outer beauty which
includes physical attributes which are valued on an aesthetic basis.
Standards of beauty have changed over time, based on
changing cultural values. Historically, paintings show a wide range of
different standards for beauty. However, humans who are relatively young, with
smooth skin, well-proportioned bodies, and regular features, have traditionally
been considered the most beautiful throughout history.
A feature of beautiful women that has been explored by
researchers is a waist–hip ratio of approximately 0.70. Physiologists have
shown that women with hourglass figures are more fertile than other women due
to higher levels of certain female hormones, a fact that may subconsciously
condition males choosing mates.
People are influenced by the images they see in the media to
determine what is or is not beautiful. Some feminists and doctors have
suggested that the very thin models featured in magazines promote eating
disorders, and others have argued that the predominance of white women featured
in movies and advertising leads to a Eurocentric concept of beauty, feelings of
inferiority in women of color, and internalized racism.
The black is beautiful cultural movement sought to dispel
this notion.
Effects on society
Beauty presents a standard of comparison, and it can cause
resentment and dissatisfaction when not achieved. People who do not fit the
"beauty ideal" may be ostracized within their communities. The
television sitcom Ugly Betty portrays the life of a girl faced with hardships
due to society's unwelcoming attitudes toward those they deem unattractive.
However, a person may also be targeted for harassment because of their beauty.
In Malèna, a strikingly beautiful Italian woman is forced into poverty by the
women of the community who refuse to give her work for fear that she may
"woo" their husbands.
The documentary Beauty in the Eyes of the
Beheld explores both the societal blessings and curses of female beauty through
interviews of women considered beautiful.
Researchers have found that good looking students get higher
grades from their teachers than students with an ordinary appearance. Some
studies using mock criminal trials have shown that physically attractive
"defendants" are less likely to be convicted—and if convicted are
likely to receive lighter sentences—than less attractive ones.
Studies among
teens and young adults, such as those of psychiatrist and self-help author, Eva
Ritvo, show that skin conditions have a profound effect on social behavior and
opportunity.
How much money a person earns may also be influenced by
physical beauty. One study found that people low in physical attractiveness
earn 5 to 10 percent less than ordinary looking people, who in turn earn 3 to 8
percent less than those who are considered good looking.
In the market for
loans, the least attractive people are less likely to get approvals, although
they are less likely to default. In the marriage market, women's looks are at a
premium, but men's looks do not matter much.
Conversely, being very unattractive increases the
individual’s propensity for criminal activity for a number of crimes ranging
from burglary to theft to selling illicit drugs.
Discrimination against others based on their appearance is
known as lookism.
St. Augustine said of beauty "Beauty is indeed a good
gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it
even to the wicked."
Finally
To all girls with butts, boobs, hips and a waist, put on a
bikini – put it on and stay strong. Jennifer Love Hewitt.
People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder,
and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing you are the
beholder. Salma Hayek
The best part of beauty is that which no picture can
express. Francis Bacon
You’re beautiful, regardless of what anyone says.







No comments:
Post a Comment