Cashing in on the Perfect Body: A Dive into Toxic Beauty Standards
"Your physical appearance at your current age suggests an unattractive, foolish mistake."
A Column by Sabine Oelmann | Facebook | Twitter | WhatsApp | Email | Print | Copy Link
From the streets to the red carpet, we're bombarded with the ideal image of beauty - often centered around perfection, particularly women's bodies. And let's face it, the main attraction? Downsized waists, inflated butts, and gigantic boobs. It's all about the perfect body, isn't it? But is this obsession driving our generation backward rather than forward?
Iris Berben, at 74, questions the focus on perfection in today's image of women, demanding a self-determined image of women, in our own responsibility. But what's the reality? Berben perceives a herd mentality where individuality is often punished. "You get canceled if you don't fit in," she says, and it seems the herd is all about being attractive - no matter the cost.
Pushing the (Silicone) Limits
Remember when taking care of the "inside of your head and training your brain" used to matter? Iris Berben sure does. With the current state of Hollywood, however, physical perfection trump brain power. Take Kylie Jenner, cosmetics entrepreneur and self-proclaimed "billionaire," as an example. At 27, she's the epitome of what society deems perfect - thanks to a few nips, tucks, and ample helpings of silicone.
Her recent admission to having a 445cc breast augmentation, complete with the mention of Beverly Hills surgeon Garth Fisher, is celebrated as if she's discovered the cure for cancer. Don't worry; she's not alone in her pursuit of perfection. Timothée Chalamet, the current Hollywood heartthrob, seems to be very comfortable with his girlfriend's new toys - strange, considering he used to be known for his intellectual prowess.
Normalizing Body Modification
Kylie Jenner's openness about her cosmetic enhancements might seem refreshingly honest, but what effect does it have on the average woman? Why would a young woman, who is already worshipped and imitated for her apparent perfection, seek to enhance her body further?
A fan on TikTok recently mused about Jenner's new look, saying, "It's the most perfect 'boob job' ever" - and hers, too, if she so desires. In a world that celebrates perfection and offers it, to whom would these changed bodies not appeal?
Beauty Behind the Scenes
Berben, who has much hope in the new generation, observes two trends in her field, film: those who uphold their performance and those who focus solely on presentation. For those prioritizing presentation, it's often about the perfect boobs, the perfect butt, the perfect jawline. But what about a perfect brain? We all know there is no such thing, not even for geniuses like Stephen Hawking or Albert Einstein. So why aim for perfection everywhere else?
In a world where one is judged and condemned infinitely quickly, where failure is not provided for, it's no wonder that its young people chase this ever-elusive ideal. But it's high time we start questioning these toxic beauty standards, demanding more than just a pretty face or body. It's time for a self-determined image of women, in our own responsibility.
- Despite Sabine Oelmann's argument against toxic beauty standards, celebrities like Kylie Jenner continue to normalize body modification, signifying a shift from prioritizing brain power to physical perfection.
- In the realm of lifestyle and fashion-and-beauty, the pursuit of perfection, as exemplified by Kylie Jenner's silicone enhancements, is increasingly being celebrated, raising questions about its impact on women's health and wellness.
- As Iris Berben points out, the emphasis on a perfect body in popular culture often ignores the importance of health, Science, and individuality, creating a detrimental cycle that may hinder rather than enhance society's progress.
- The discussion of Kylie Jenner's cosmetic treatments in entertainment and pop-culture serves to reinforce toxic beauty standards, prompting young women to prioritize body modification over their personal well-being and self-determination.
