The Die In Diet: How North American Ideas of Beauty Harm Women

Humankind has always been aware of the existence of beauty. As our species has grown intellectually and socially, the standards that constitute beauty have changed to suit our culture. Females, in particular, are given more focus than males when it comes to appearance (Jackson, 1992). For instance, cosmetics cater almost exclusively to women and while they are considered a luxury, they have come to represent more of a grim necessity for females (Hansen & Reed, 1986). In …

…of women and promiscuity without regard to STD's. By undermining women's sense of self worth, the media has managed to create million dollar industries to help females cope with insecurities (Wolf, 1991). But self-esteem is not all that women are losing to the beautiful enemy. Some women are now losing their lives. These self-destructive behaviours and negative emotions generated by the media will not cease until society revamps the concept of what makes a woman beautiful.