What is considered "beautiful" today? Of course this is different for every country, and every person. I will describe "physical beauty" in terms of my point of view, as an Asian-American girl with a full Asian ethnic background (my way of saying I have a typical Asian face). Here are the first couple of things I came up with:
- Small, high nose and prominent cheekbones
- Big eyes with double lids
- Small, feminine jaw
- Sun-kissed skin
- White, straight teeth
- Tall, proportional figure
Now, let's look at what was considered beautiful? Depending on the country, these answers can vary to a surprising extent:
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As you can tell, the definition of "beauty" changes with time, media, and culture. And without a doubt, there is and always will be a beauty standard. There certainly is among Asians-- we've all seen how the business of plastic surgery has exploded in Korea, China, and Japan. The goal: looking as white as possible. Take another look at the first list I have included on this post; connection?
This particular beauty standard has a seriously bad rep in America (most likely in Asia as well)-- Korea has particularly gained international attention for its "obsession" with plastic surgery. I've seen many people cringe as they tell me how in Korea, plastic surgery is a graduation present. Here is a photo that I often see when I look up "Korean Plastic Surgery," revealing how because of plastic surgery, many women in Korea are beginning to look the same:
This particular beauty standard has a seriously bad rep in America (most likely in Asia as well)-- Korea has particularly gained international attention for its "obsession" with plastic surgery. I've seen many people cringe as they tell me how in Korea, plastic surgery is a graduation present. Here is a photo that I often see when I look up "Korean Plastic Surgery," revealing how because of plastic surgery, many women in Korea are beginning to look the same:
The first thing people say when they think of plastic surgery is: it's not natural! This is completely true. But neither is make-up, dying/perming your hair, dental work (braces, retainers), plucking your eyebrows, and even painting your nails. All of these change what your natural appearance is. How many of us have done at least one of these?In a society where physical appearance is linked to success, adhering to this standard of beauty can be, to a certain extent, of some importance. Sometimes a girl puts on a little make-up and a nice dress, and feels transformed, beautiful, and has the confidence to start a wonderful day-- I believe that in this sense, a beauty standard is not all bad.
The thing that differs between plastic surgery and these other things is that it is much more permanent. Is that what makes it unnatural, what makes it wrong in the eyes of so many people?
Stay tuned for Monday's post WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL: PART 2 -- LET ME IN featuring the famous Korean show about plastic surgery, Let Me In.
Until next time,
justajae
The thing that differs between plastic surgery and these other things is that it is much more permanent. Is that what makes it unnatural, what makes it wrong in the eyes of so many people?
Stay tuned for Monday's post WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL: PART 2 -- LET ME IN featuring the famous Korean show about plastic surgery, Let Me In.
Until next time,
justajae