The traditional gender binary has been challenged by modern society, but it is still heavily embedded in social norms, politics, and culture. In recent years, transgender and nonbinary identities have gained greater visibility, leading to increased awareness of their existence.
Many societies are still influenced by outdated gender roles that assign certain behaviors, appearances, and characteristics to specific genders. These ideas about masculinity and femininity manifest in various ways, including media-driven beauty standards that reinforce sexual hierarchies and exclusion.
To understand this issue, we must explore how media shapes perceptions of what is attractive and desirable in terms of body shape, facial features, skin color, hair texture, clothing style, and personality traits. This influence can lead to self-objectification, where people view themselves as objects to be judged based on appearance rather than individuals with unique interests, abilities, and values. The media portrays unrealistic ideals that are often impossible to achieve without extensive surgeries or other interventions, perpetuating feelings of shame and inferiority for those who do not meet these expectations.
Media-driven beauty standards also contribute to sexual inequality and exclusion, especially in heterosexual relationships.
Women's bodies are often objectified in advertising and entertainment, while men's bodies are rarely criticized for being too thin or muscular. Women's sexuality is associated with youth, fertility, and availability, whereas men's sexuality is linked to power, aggression, and dominance. This creates a hierarchy in which men have more power over their partners' sexual choices, while women feel pressure to conform to specific stereotypes to be considered desirable.
The media often depicts people outside of traditional gender roles as deviant or nonconforming, reinforcing the idea that those who challenge binary norms are "other" or lesser. Nonbinary identities are particularly marginalized, as they are misunderstood or ignored entirely by mainstream society. Nonbinary individuals may face discrimination, harassment, and violence due to their perceived lack of conformity to gendered stereotypes.
Media-driven beauty standards perpetuate harmful social norms and reinforce gender roles, leading to sexual hierarchies and exclusions. To address this issue, we must work towards creating greater representation and acceptance of all genders and orientations in the media. We can also encourage self-love and body positivity, challenging unrealistic ideals and promoting healthy relationships based on mutual respect and communication rather than appearance. By doing so, we can break down barriers that exclude certain groups from accessing intimacy and fulfillment.
How do media-driven beauty standards reinforce sexual hierarchy and exclusion?
The current beauty standards portrayed by the mass media tend to be unattainable, and this can lead to feelings of low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and depression among individuals who struggle to meet these standards. The media's idealized representations of thinness, youthfulness, and flawless skin can also contribute to social exclusion and discrimination based on appearance.