America’s obsession with beauty seems to be constantly growing. In advertisements, many readers are brainwashed into thinking that they should look like the portrayed models. The photos tend to emphasize tan skin, long legs and a skinny body shape as the ideal look. However, people don’t seem to realize that the pictures are often photoshopped to such an extent that the models barely resemble their true appearances.
Check out Dove’s video below which reveals the deception behind glamorized beauty:
This idea of exaggerated beauty is also seen on the television program Toddlers and Tiaras. The episodes show children, even from the young age of two, participating in beauty pageants. The kids undergo a physical transformation in order to receive high scores from the judges. For these makeovers, pageant contestants utilize curling irons, hair straighteners, hairspray, fake eyelashes, fake nails, flippers (clip-on teeth), makeup, skin shimmer (glitter) and fake hair. As a result of beauty’s representation being distorted for these children at such a young age, they will likely think that this “plastic Barbie idealism” is necessary.
But what does all of this say about the real image of beauty? That pale skin is ugly? That women who wear sizes bigger than zero or a small is unacceptable? That you need all of these makeup products to be called pretty? With this mindset, society is inadvertently promoting eating disorders and low self-esteem.
Although celebrities such as Sofia Vergara, Kim Kardashian and Demi Lovato have come forth as role models to encourage loving one’s physical appearance, additional change needs to occur. People must educate society on these false perceptions and promote the acceptance of true beauty; otherwise there will be greater consequences than toddlers dressing like adults.
~Kerry Gertner
Article Source: http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/tv/toddlers-tiaras/pageant-tool-kit-pictures.htm
Video Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl6rzOcuooI
Image Source: http://epicself.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/un-natural-beauty.jpg
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