Beautiful People?

By Rupambika Tripathy

BEAUTY

What is beauty? What connotations does this word trigger?

Beauty can be defined as a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight ~The first google search result

We’ve heard this phrase a multitude of times but I’d like to reiterate. True beauty comes from the inside- but is this the truth? Or does social media make us perceive it to be a falsehood? Categorising an individual becomes an exceedingly challenging task owing to the fact that the definition of this controversial word continually morphs over time. There are innumerable parameters we need to take into account inclusive of physical appearance (quite evident perhaps) and personality (quite cliché)- which encapsulates both words and actions.

If you had a preconceived notion that this piece would pertain to how everyone is glamorous in their own way, you’re utterly mistaken. Not everyone is beautiful- it’s a harsh fact. Personally I believe that YES, most people express their allure in various forms but it’s impossible to generalise everyone and everything. What about the barbaric, scornful and sadistic? The murderers, rapists, xenophobes, homophobes, racists and sexists (this is not a leftist tabloid article, I’m just clarifying..)? Are they all beautiful?

It’s not plausible for any rational person with sufficient morals to consider the aforementioned persons beautiful. If you do, maybe you’re equally atrocious. Ted Bundy attracted excessive amounts of sympathy merely because of his appearance, but is it perfectly alright to christen him beautiful? I’m not advocating for a change in dictionary definition, there are plenty of terms to describe people apart from beautiful. The perception of the word of beauty is just mildly discomfiting. With the usage of social media and the amount of time adolescents allocate to it- the concept of beauty just fabricates inessential insecurities and impacts an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence increasingly negatively.

BEAUTY AND INSECURITY

What’s the correlation between beauty and insecurity? Does beauty lead to insecurity? Quite surprisingly, it can also be the opposite. Insecurity, simply put- is an amalgamation of diffidence and lacking self-confidence. Social media is unequivocally pivotal in shaping people’s personalities; and often paves the path for self-doubt, self harm and emotional destruction. We peruse through profiles of prominent persons, often comparing ourselves to how they appear or act. Our brains set up a standard and many think that if they’re not as pretty as that popular instagram model they viciously stalk- they’re not pretty at all.

Now this is not even close to true. Often, celebrities utilise inordinate amounts of editing to make them look as stunning as they do. We, mere teenagers (or at least some of us) look up to them and believe that they are perfection. We think that if we don’t look and live the way they do, we’re not good enough. This is insecurity. It is a problem that gradually becomes an all-consuming issue that further makes individuals spiral into toxic mindsets and habits.

Insecurity can lead to beauty as well, and it has for me. If you don’t like something about yourself go change it- if you can. It’s your body and your choice. If you want a different personality as well- change. Be who you want, not someone you’re forced to be because of people around you.

MODERN BEAUTY STANDARDS

Since I’ve already ranted about this extensively, I’ll attempt to summarise. We’re being pressured into conforming to contemporary expectations of beauty. No, it’s not being forced onto us, but we’re slowly progressing towards being prey of these standards with the rise of the digital age. Thigh gaps used to be considered fashionable, but now having thicker thighs is becoming massively popular. We have an entire plus size section and are progressing; but some companies do this to be “inclusive” and not due to genuine respect. I can’t even find my waist size at an Urban Outfitters in Westfield.

People ask me to eat more as they instantly assume that my eating habits solely influence my body. From a scientific perspective- metabolism, hormones and multiple other factors are responsible for an individual’s physique as well. It sucks that you can be blamed for things not under your control. For example, not being able to have kids or quitting sports. Not everything is a choice- sometimes you’re devoid of options. You don’t know what someone is going through with regards to their health. This is why we shouldn’t negatively comment on others’ bodies, it’s just insensitive.

Skinny and fat may be two extremes of a spectrum, but even the intermediaries are considered imperfect now. There are the people who prefer a fit, slim and toned physique and the others who prioritise parts that cause sexual attraction despite of fitness. Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions and should have the right to feel good in their own body. At the same time, they should be granted the freedom to change their body if they desire.

Just because you don’t consider yourself the prettiest person out there, doesn’t mean you’re not pretty.