Unrealistic beauty standards set by Social Media
In today’s world of social media and filter culture the word “BEAUTIFUL” has got stuck with the various unrealistic standards. The word “Beautiful” has begun to sound like “Hurtful”. In this society, a woman is considered beautiful if she has:
· Hair-less slim body with fine curves,
· Fair and flawless skin
· Long and shiny hair
While the beauty standards set for men include:
· 6 feet height
· lean body
· broad shoulders
· six pack abs
· narrow hips
· strong muscles.
We’re brainwashed into thinking that these features are the epitome of beauty.
These high beauty standards are affecting people in the worst possible way. Both men and women are just busy chasing these so called “body goals”
Who is setting these standards?
Society influenced by Social media plays a very important role in defining these beauty standards. We daily come across the pictures of many beauty models and influencers presenting the perfect bodies.
But while viewing these pictures we forget to consider the fact that these pictures have gone through many editing levels, before being posted on feeds and also most of the times these models are promoting some sort of merchandises including fairness creams, weight loss supplements, hair and body oils etc. So, their job is to promote the merchandise by depicting perfect skin, body and hair.
Instead of realizing these facts we just start comparing our real bodies to these photo-shopped media-portrayed body images. This comparison leads to mental disturbance especially in youngsters. Studies say that Instagram can wreck positive body image in just 30 minutes.
Most of the youngsters lose their self-confidence and consider themselves as a failure after becoming victims of these unattainable beauty standards set by our society. Recent studies, have revealed that many young people are vulnerable to the concerns related to body image and suggests the very real, lasting damage caused by low self-esteem.
How to cope with these body image issues?
The most important step is to accept your body for what it is.
“To be beautiful means to be yourself.”
Sometimes you just have to thank your body for existing and carrying you all these years. Forget how society wants you to look. Just always keep in mind that pretty face, perfect weight and height and fashion choices don’t define a person. They are only meant to be enhancements.
We need to step out of these pools of unrealistic media portrayed body images and join some online groups for body positivity which show realistic images of people. Body hair, body fat, bald heads, skin pores, fine lines and wrinkles are as normal as human beings having one heart, one brain and a pair of lungs!
We really need to redefine what makes us attractive and “BEAUTIFUL”. Hopefully there comes a day when we’ll believe that beauty is kindness, love, happiness, grace and gratitude rather than flat stomachs, long legs and flawless skins.
