The Truth About Beauty

As a North American society, are faced with a very narrow and stereotypical view of beauty everywhere we look. Our young men are being taught to continuously desire women who fit these images and our young women are coming to the realization that “beauty” is not something that can be achieved naturally. Some therefore start unhealthy diets or exercise routines while others go under the knife to physically and permanently alter their bodies. Sadly, what some print ads and magazine photos portray as perfection is simple a digital alteration of a “normal” body. With digital photo alteration programs like Photoshop becoming more accessible to the general public as well as online workshops that show exactly how to rework photographs, is it becoming more and more clear that both the men and women portrayed in our advertising, fashion and film industry are not always as thin or young as they are projected as being. This warped image of beauty leads women to fall into the downwards spiral of doing “whatever it takes” to be as young, as thin, as beautiful, and as desirable as the women they see in the media.

Poor self image and the desire to be “thin and beautiful” can manifest itself in many different forms; a main consequence is eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa (the refusal to eat due to poor body image and self esteem) or bulimia nervosa (a cycle of binging and purging involving food). Another result is addiction to diet pills, laxatives or even illegal substances such as cocaine or crystal meth, which result in drastic weight loss with prolonged use (along with a host of other devastating “results”).

Weight is not the only thing that women get insecure about when it comes to comparing themselves to the glamorized versions of humanity portrayed in the media. The media’s obsession with youth can put a strain on even the highest of self-esteems. With “treatments” like facelifts, botox and breast augmentations it is almost too easy for insecure women to go to a doctor and “fix” whatever is wrong with them. And when the treatment isn’t available or is too expensive, many other countries are ready to offer their version at a discounted price; and at your own risk. Not only that, but this fascination with plastic surgery can result in some pretty terrifying faces!

One controversial aspect that I’ve mentioned in the specific photos I’ve chosen is the fact that many of the models have had their skin whitened. Almost every single one of them appears to have lighter skin in the retouched ads. Since North American culture has made its way, via Hollywood blockbusters, to the far corners of the world, it is not surprising that some women aspire to be “whiter”. I just find this amusing because for so long, being tan was seen as beautiful!

Finally, it’s worth noting that it’s not only women’s images that are altered. The before last image is one of popular (and award winning) actor Clive Owen. The ad is to sell an anti-age serum, however the severe touch-ups, done to his ears and nose particularly, have nothing to do with the actual anti-age results.

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