Despite culture being diverse in numerous countries, the beauty standards across the world generally overlap. In countries like China, Korea and India for example, beauty lies in fair skin and a thin fit body type and weight; anything else is considered to be distant from beauty. The notion of being “beautiful” according to the beauty standards criteria of social norms stays still.
Nowadays, fitting into a standard shape and size is an absurd notion and expectation which can be dictated by society. This pressure can be fueled from society and individuals such as parents, relatives, friends, or peers, who pass judgement on body types. Such judgements can be made on the skin complexion, body weight or even the health of an individual which can lead to self doubt, low confidence, and insecurity. Even today many people struggle with their body image; they are not confident in their skin, and the pressure of being “accepted” by society is enormous. From early childhood to the schooling days, we are being taught consciously and unconsciously that it is important to look a particular way in terms of shape, size, complexion, or even hair style with regards to beauty standards. The insecurities of being oneself and constantly getting approval from family and friends can lead to the development of an underconfident grownup adult who fears judgments of others around.
There are many instances when people who pass judgement and body shame individuals do it under the guise of caring “health” and “fitness”. They may try to convince individuals that getting slim is good for their health. The individuals are already aware that they need to take care of their body and work out by exercising every day, and perhaps practicing yoga to maintain their health. One should not need to look a certain way, have a skinny or muscular body with abs; it is not at all necessary. A person can work out every day, be mentally and physically healthy and still be overweight. We should not judge and believe that a person who exercises everyday should look a particular way, thus we should not hold on to beauty standards. Any toxic individual who is looking to help by suggesting numerous options and ways to “look attractive” under the premise of caring about an individual’s health needs to step back. If you really care about people, let them live happily in their own skin. Care about their mental health. Care about removing the pressure of society from their minds and preventing them from feeling alone and depressed in the everyday fight for approval from the world.
It is very important here to understand that first a family needs to support their children and understand body positivity. When the family and friends are empathetic towards a person then the individual will gain confidence to be in his own skin and stop seeking acceptance from everyone else. It is important to show the individuals of the society who judge people with certain body type, that the world needs good people, and their life needs to be defined by their choices, morals, behaviors, dreams, and hard work towards their goal and not by their body type and beauty standards. The people who are suffering from their body image are not able to focus on their work and passions because somehow it is deemed less important than looking acceptable. These individuals may torture themselves in the form of crash dieting, extreme workouts in the gym, and surgery to reduce weight or look light skinned. All of this may serve to fuel depression and mental breakdowns.
The impact caused by the society on these individuals is a lot to take for them and this toxic mindset should be stopped at all costs. We need to abolish beauty standards. Programs can be conducted in schools from early stages to educate students about body positivity. Awareness programs should be held for struggling individuals to help them understand that they are not alone, and that society needs to be kind and empathetic towards them. We need to look past body type and instead look at the skills and capabilities these individuals bring to the table, without any judgment whatsoever. Individuals in society needs to be inclusive without fuelling any hatred or anger to any kind of body type or the perception of beauty standards.
There are no better body positivity representatives than the artists at Girl Pow-R, who continually spread awareness about loving oneself and each other. Always remember to spread positivity around you regardless of whether someone is fat or thin, petite or tall, fair or dark. We are all born with beautifully unique and distinct features, and we are more than our body type. We are all hopes, dreams, passion, kindness, and love. It is this humanity that the world needs to become a better place rather than ideal “beauty standards”. To learn more about Girl Pow-R, contact us at info(at)girlpow-r.com for more information.