Media-driven beauty standards have become an integral part of modern society. These standards dictate what is considered beautiful and attractive based on certain criteria such as skin color, hair type, body shape, and facial features.
These beauty standards are often biased towards women and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about gender roles, leading to the reinforcement of sexual hierarchies between men and women. In this article, I will examine how media-driven beauty standards contribute to the objectification of women's bodies, create unrealistic expectations for men and women, promote harmful ideals of masculinity and femininity, and ultimately lead to a culture that objectifies and commodifies women.
One way media-driven beauty standards reinforce sexual hierarchy is through the objectification of women's bodies. Women are often portrayed as objects of desire in advertisements, television shows, movies, and other forms of media. This objectification reduces women to their physical appearance and creates a culture where women are valued primarily for their looks rather than their talents or intelligence. As a result, women may feel pressure to conform to the narrow beauty standards set by the media, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This objectification also contributes to the hypersexualization of women, where they are viewed as sex objects instead of human beings with complex emotions and thoughts. The objectification of women's bodies reinforces a power dynamic where men are seen as the pursuers and women as the prizes, creating a culture where men have power over women and can treat them as disposable commodities.
Another way media-driven beauty standards reinforce sexual hierarchy is through the creation of unrealistic expectations for men and women. Men are often pressured to conform to a certain idealized image of masculinity, such as being muscular, athletic, and emotionally detached. Similarly, women are expected to maintain an impossible standard of thinness, perfection, and submissiveness. These unrealistic expectations create unattainable goals for both genders, leading to increased anxiety and depression.
Men who do not fit into the idealized image of masculinity may feel shame and guilt, while women may struggle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders. These unrealistic expectations also perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes that limit women's career opportunities and restrict men's ability to express their emotions.
Media-driven beauty standards promote harmful ideals of femininity and masculinity. Women are often portrayed as delicate, fragile, and dependent on men, while men are depicted as strong, assertive, and dominant. This dichotomy creates a power imbalance where men hold more power and authority than women, further contributing to a culture of misogyny and sexism. The promotion of these harmful ideals also leads to gendered violence, such as domestic abuse and sexual assault, as men are taught to view women as objects rather than human beings.
It promotes a culture of toxic masculinity, where men are encouraged to suppress their emotions and act aggressively towards others.
Media-driven beauty standards lead to a culture that objectifies and commodifies women. Advertisements often use women's bodies to sell products, creating a culture where women's value is measured by their appearance. This objectification reduces women to their physical attributes and perpetuates a culture of sexual exploitation. As a result, women are often used as props in advertisements, movies, and other forms of media, and are treated like commodities instead of human beings with complex identities and experiences. This objectification can lead to the dehumanization of women, making them less than fully actualized individuals and reducing them to mere objects for male pleasure.
Media-driven beauty standards reinforce sexual hierarchy through the objectification of women's bodies, the creation of unrealistic expectations for both genders, the promotion of harmful ideals of masculinity and femininity, and the commodification of women. By challenging these beauty standards, we can create a more equitable society that values women and men equally, recognizes their unique talents and contributions, and rejects the idea that one gender is superior to another. It is crucial that we work together to create a culture that celebrates diversity, individualism, and self-acceptance, where everyone is valued based on who they are rather than how they look.
How do media-driven beauty standards reinforce sexual hierarchy?
Mass media has been influencing how individuals perceive themselves and others for decades. The images of idealized bodies and faces that flood social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok promote unrealistic body types and physical features. In other words, they create a standard of perfection that is impossible to achieve by many people and often encourage self-esteem issues.