- News>
- Beauty Buzz
How far would you go to look good?
Most cultures place a huge emphasis on looks - particularly women`s looks. In India, little girls have been conditioned to link their identities to their looks. Traditionally, beauty is a key-determining factor for marriage. In such a scenario, it often leaves women, feeling inadequate and undesirable. Social pressures are compounded by our own unrealistic expectation of ourselves.
Most cultures place a huge emphasis on looks - particularly women`s looks. In India, little girls have been conditioned to link their identities to their looks. Traditionally, beauty is a key-determining factor for marriage. In such a scenario, it often leaves women, feeling inadequate and undesirable. Social pressures are compounded by our own unrealistic expectation of ourselves.
Haven`t you gone to a store to try a size 24 when you know that nothing short of 30 will fit you? Then we get dejected because we cannot see the personalised version of the Guess girl in the mirror. These distorted self-images further batter our self-esteem, eventually sabotaging personal and professional lives.
The formation of our body image
Although we are pre-occupied with our body images right through our lives, our interest and fears peak during adolescence. During pubescent years our newly awakened sexual interests becomes dramatically linked to our body image. But as we mature, academic and professional quests divert our attention partially from sexual attention. Unfortunately, our childhood pubescent experiences continue to significantly impact our views into adulthood.
Parents and families play a vital role in helping you determine a positive self-image. But more often we find that negative comments and criticism leave permanent psychological scars on children. Parents often categorise children as pretty one, smart one, good-for-nothing and the like. Such categorisation fosters anxiety and feelings of inadequacy and competition between children.
Haven`t you gone to a store to try a size 24 when you know that nothing short of 30 will fit you? Then we get dejected because we cannot see the personalised version of the Guess girl in the mirror. These distorted self-images further batter our self-esteem, eventually sabotaging personal and professional lives.
The formation of our body image
Although we are pre-occupied with our body images right through our lives, our interest and fears peak during adolescence. During pubescent years our newly awakened sexual interests becomes dramatically linked to our body image. But as we mature, academic and professional quests divert our attention partially from sexual attention. Unfortunately, our childhood pubescent experiences continue to significantly impact our views into adulthood.
Parents and families play a vital role in helping you determine a positive self-image. But more often we find that negative comments and criticism leave permanent psychological scars on children. Parents often categorise children as pretty one, smart one, good-for-nothing and the like. Such categorisation fosters anxiety and feelings of inadequacy and competition between children.
Fashion industry contributing to negative self images
In India, the occidentalised fashion industry, and beauty images in the media, further contribute to the propagation of negative self-image. We need to shed our unrealistic expectations and realise that most of us have average good looks that are definitely not hideously ugly or exceptionally beautiful.
Next week, I will elaborate on what makes us attractive, and advice on how to change your body image rather than your body. So look forward to fighting the battle of the bulge… psychologically, of course.
You can write to Navroz Vakil at navrozvakil@zeenext.com