Cultural Norms Heavily Influence Attractiveness
Attractiveness can be defined as a quality that elicits interest, admiration, or desire for someone. It may also refer to something beautiful, desirable, charming, appealing, delightful, pleasing, enchanting, enticing, or seductive. However, cultural norms play a significant role in determining what is considered attractive or desirable. Culture includes social practices, belief systems, norms, traditions, values, institutions, artifacts, behaviors, languages, symbols, rituals, and ideologies. Cultural norms are learned patterns of behavior shared by members of a group and passed down from generation to generation through various channels such as family, education, media, religion, and society at large.
Different cultures have different standards of beauty or desirability. For instance, in Western culture, there is an emphasis on physical appearance, particularly on being thin, tall, young, symmetrical, and white. This idealization of physical attributes has led to body image issues, eating disorders, plastic surgery, and other negative consequences. In contrast, in some Asian countries like Japan, there is more of an emphasis on personality traits like kindness, intelligence, humor, and generosity.
Cultural norms also influence romantic relationships. For example, in many Latin American countries, it is expected for men to initiate courtship while women should be passive and wait for the man's advances. In some African societies, polygamy is common, whereby one man marries multiple wives. Additionally, arranged marriages are still practiced in some parts of the world, with parents selecting spouses based on factors like wealth, social status, and compatibility rather than love.
Furthermore, sexual attitudes vary across cultures. Some societies view sex before marriage as taboo, while others see it as acceptable. Homosexuality may be accepted or prohibited depending on the society. Similarly, gender roles can differ between cultures. For instance, in some Islamic societies, women are expected to dress conservatively and cover their faces in public. Men are often dominant and have greater decision-making power over their families. On the other hand, in some traditional African communities, men tend to be less involved in household chores and childcare.
In conclusion, cultural norms heavily influence what is considered attractive or desirable. Cultural differences affect not only physical appearance but also values, behaviors, and belief systems related to intimacy, sexuality, and relationships. Understanding these variations can help us appreciate diversity and promote tolerance towards different cultures.