Written by Shalini Manchi
Edited by Vanshi Kumar
The United States is made up of people from many cultural backgrounds. When people new to the US assimilate into American Society, it is easy to be consumed by the many differences they find. This is true for any person who is visiting a foreign country. While the differences are easy to spot, there are subtle similarities that we often tend to ignore. One of these similarities is the use of media to spread a message, start a trend, and even set a standard. While the media can be useful in rallying people, it also has its bad side.
One of the many problems the media around the world has created is the standard for beauty. Standards exist everywhere, from the standard for light tan skin and blue eyes in Europe to the emphasis on maintaining a slender figure in Asia. However, the use of this media to portray body standards isn’t a modern invention. While standards varied from region to region in Asia, they existed nonetheless. Before colonization, beauty standards were described and depicted in manuscripts, books, epics, paintings, and temples. In the late 20th century, after many Asian countries gained independence from European empires and with the rise of feminist movements, the standard for beauty began to change. Even as Asian women received equal rights, traditional beauty was given more of a national identity. This was because of the emerging trends that the older generation thought to be too vulgar or trying to alter traditional beauty standards. However, these standards were often centered around the features that were common among higher society members, such as those of royal lineage. Later, with the spread of Western media, Elders who believed in more traditional and reserved standards disapproved of this new media's influence on youngsters.
Similarly, standards for beauty have changed and developed in Europe. Many beauty trends in Europe were centered around those followed by royalty. Such as the trend of big hairdos during the reign of Elizabeth I. Again, we see that many trends have been influenced by those in higher positions of power through many books and publications about etiquette and society. Later on, trends started to be centered around what was politically expectable. Of course, at the same time, there was the rule-breaking minority, like the rebellious youth of the 60s and 70s led to the rise of many more trends that are still evident today.
In today’s society, trends still have a great impact on people. Although modern society is stepping towards accepting and understanding bodies of every shape, size, and color, we have a long way to go. Every generation has been impacted by this rise and fall of trends. It is important to understand that not every trend that the media puts out needs to become the standard of beauty. It is important to differentiate what society wants from what we want. In an age where we can be easily persuaded by the various media around us, it is important to stay true to oneself and contribute not to the rigid standard of beauty but to introduce society to the standard of self-love and understanding that all bodies are different.
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