For many centuries beauty standards have shaped society. The effects can have a detrimental, long-lasting impact on mental health, body image, gendered expectations, one’s self-esteem, and social interaction, but these standards can be exceptionally harmful for teens according to Medical News today. They may feel the need to look, act, or present themselves in a certain way.
Social media plays a huge role in what society believes people should look like.
Freshman, Zavi ’anna Wells said, “Social media has had a big impact on beauty standards. For example, people on social media believe beauty is all about what you look like on the outside but in reality, there’s so much more than that. Beauty isn’t being skinny or having a clear face. It’s about having a beautiful heart and showing that.”
However, many of the influencers on these apps only show unrealistic expectations. Men and women both struggle with the thought of how they “should” look. To fit in with cultural norms people feel they should have a skinny, defined waist. For many, this standard leads to drastic measures, like extreme diets and consistent exercise.
According to a Break Bing Eating article, “Restrictive weight loss diets are also associated with many different physical and psychological complications, including mood changes, low self-esteem, poor quality of life, lowered body temperature, constipation, and concentration difficulties”.
The actions people take to achieve a tight belly can also lead to eating disorders. When the body has been starved, it reduces the metabolism rate, which can result in binge eating behaviors. Beauty standards are implemented by many things like media, advertisements, and local trends. This leads to people feeling unhappy with their looks, since specific aspects are being talked down on. Hearing these standards when you are young can possibly shape you into the person you are today.
“I think it has messed with our perception of self-confidence and made us feel that we have to change who we are and the way we look to have friends or for people to like us,” said Abbigail Hunt.
Learning to love yourself for the way you are is a big step but one everyone has to take. You aren’t alone, this process is a part of growing up. Do things that make you feel good about yourself, and not because it’s something you feel the need to do.
