Beauty is an essential aspect of many cultures worldwide that has been shaped through time to fit different societal expectations and norms. It is defined by society's ideal appearance, behavior, and personality traits, which influence how individuals are perceived and treated in various situations.
There have been concerns about how these ideals impact people from specific groups, particularly women and LGBTQ+ communities. Beauty standards in media have become more inclusive over the years, but they still reinforce sexual hierarchy and exclusion. The depiction of female beauty in the mass media tends to be limited to thin, young, white, able-bodied, cisgender, heterosexual women who conform to traditional gender roles. This creates a false perception that only certain body types can be beautiful, leading to low self-esteem among those who do not meet this criteria.
Body image issues affect both men and women, but it disproportionately affects girls and women who feel pressured to look like celebrities or models portrayed in magazines and advertisements. Many people believe that being attractive means having specific physical attributes such as small waistlines, large breasts, narrow hips, full lips, and clear skin. These unrealistic images cause body dysmorphia and eating disorders, leading to severe health consequences. In addition, some communities are underrepresented in media, making them invisible, while others are misrepresented or stereotyped.
Transgender individuals face discrimination due to their appearances, causing mental health problems and identity confusion.
Media representations of romantic relationships tend to perpetuate negative stereotypes about women's submissiveness and men's dominance. They also promote sexism by objectifying women and reducing them to their looks rather than their abilities. Women often play passive roles in these scenes, while men have power over them and take control of the situation. Such messages reinforce gender norms that limit women's autonomy and sexual freedom. Some studies suggest that watching pornography increases sexual aggression against women and contributes to sexual violence.
Media can influence sexual behavior through its depiction of intimacy, eroticism, and fetishes. Many films and TV shows feature graphic scenes involving various forms of sex, which normalizes non-consensual activities like rape and bestiality. This creates a culture wherein young people view casual sex as acceptable and reduces the value of consent. It also promotes a sexual hierarchy based on age, race, class, ability, and appearance, excluding those who do not fit into this framework.
Beauty standards in media reinforce sexual hierarchy and exclusion by creating unrealistic expectations for body types, portraying unhealthy relationships, and promoting harmful behaviors. These images perpetuate unequal treatment, leading to mental health issues, self-esteem, and social justice concerns. Therefore, it is essential to challenge media narratives that reduce individuals to their physical appearances, emphasize diverse body types, and advocate for positive sexual practices that respect everyone's rights.
How do beauty standards in media reinforce sexual hierarchy and exclusion?
The perception of beauty is heavily influenced by cultural norms that are often depicted in media. These images promote certain body types as ideal, leading to exclusion and marginalization of people who do not fit into these categories. The concept of beauty is also closely tied to sexuality, which reinforces traditional gender roles and power dynamics.