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Beauty Standards

Definition

Beauty standards are societal norms or ideals that define what is considered physically attractive or beautiful within a particular culture or community. These standards may vary across different societies due to cultural influences.

Analogy

Think of beauty standards as fashion trends. Just like fashion trends change over time and differ between countries, beauty standards also evolve and vary from one culture to another. What is considered "in style" in terms of physical appearance can differ greatly depending on where you are.

Related terms

Body Image: Body image refers to an individual's perception of their own physical appearance, including their thoughts, feelings, beliefs about their body size, shape, weight, etc. It is closely linked to beauty standards as it represents how individuals see themselves in relation to those standards.

Media Influence: Media influence refers to the power and impact that various forms of media, such as television, magazines, and social media, have on shaping people's thoughts, opinions, and behaviors. It plays a significant role in promoting certain beauty standards.

Self-esteem: Self-esteem is an individual's overall evaluation of their own worth or value. Beauty standards can affect one's self-esteem as they may feel pressured to conform to these ideals in order to feel accepted or valued by society.