Rethink beauty

by Penelope Orlando Staff Writer

Although often unnoticed by the untrained eye, beauty standards for women are everywhere.

From diet culture to plastic surgery, the desire for beauty is ingrained in our culture. How do we bring an end to it?

The answer lies not in meaningless mantras that self-help gurus and confidence coaches urge you to repeat every day in front of the mirror but in the reevaluation of beauty itself.

The modern feminist approach to beauty is characterized by its emphasis on body positivity — a movement advocating for the incorporation of different looks into what is traditionally deemed beautiful. A tenet of body positivity is the reassurance of one’s beauty. Between the lines of this seemingly innocent and confidence-building practice lies a hidden meaning: self-worth is derived from beauty.

While body positivity’s objective is to eradicate beauty standards, it fails to recognize the only way to kill toxic standards is to attack the head: beauty itself.

Beauty is a trait that people grant special meaning, especially concerning women. Beauty is con-

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sidered a gift to those born with it and demonized in those who have created it via unnatural means.

Most of all, beauty is something demanded of women like no other trait. Body positivity condemns beauty standards but fails to recognize the exploitative nature of beauty itself.

The patriarchy and the body positivity movement alike rely on beauty to shape self-importance. In the patriarchal mind-set, beauty is a privilege awarded via birth or effort, and that privilege comes with respect and admiration. Body positivists grant beauty to those that subscribe to the concept.

In turn, they get confidence and security. Beauty is worthy of praise, while the lack of beauty is neither mentioned nor worthy. To body positivists, beauty is a state of the mind rather than the body. It requires that women judge themselves based on beauty rather than society.

Supporters of the movement have argued that body positivity has changed the portrayal of women in media, making the beauty standard more inclusive towards different looks.

Although this sounds like progress, it misses the point. Beauty is valued because it is exclusive.

Beauty can only exist in opposition to ugly. Though the beauty gap waxes and wanes as different faces, colors, and shapes are introduced, there is still a gap.

Simultaneously, what is deemed beautiful constantly changes as looks go in and out of style. What was beautiful in the 50s is not what is beautiful today. Though beauty evolves, the principle it thrives on — that some women are always left out — remains.

The solution is simple yet daunting: abolish beauty. It is difficult to imagine a world where the way women look isn’t moralized, and the constant push to uphold an impossible standard ceases. Though isn’t it enticing? It is a great demand for women, but the first step is to stop chasing beauty.

Recognize that the existence of beauty is not a choice, but that you can reject it. Women who do not believe in the promise of beauty in the face of shame and judgment are not weak or insecure. Women who refuse keep up with the meticulous and monotonous routines that beauty requires are not lazy.

To exist as yourself, despite all excesses and deficiencies society claims you have, is a powerful and conscious choice that affirms trust in character.