!!!Trigger Warning: eating disorders, self-harm, suicide

Today’s beauty standards really say that all women are expected to wear makeup daily, work out at the gym, stay skinny but have curves “in the right places” , and stay young. Do you see the issue here? Our society has set unrealistic standards that create such a toxic and unhealthy mindset for young women today.

What is a Beauty Standard?

You may think it’s just a term used to describe feminine beauty, but it’s so much more. The term “beauty standard” is the idea that physical attractiveness is the most valued thing about a woman. A woman is so much more than her face, her body, it’s what’s inside that counts the most. Beauty standards have become so unrealistic today and it’s time to put an end to the ideas that glamorize women for their looks.  

How do these “standards” affect women? 

The typical “perfect body, pretty face” standard has become a huge issue in our society. From celebrities setting unrealistic expectations, to “influencers” influencing the younger generations to change their looks, this is all the issue. Articles and studies have shown an increase in anxiety and depression found in women. These expectations have spiked body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and have even led people to self-harming, low self-esteem, and even suicides. Social media has had a huge effect on these standards, creating these unrealistic expectations on how your body “should” look. The media has hurt body images by constantly feeling you have to compare yourself to others. 

You are so much more!

Your self-worth is so important. No matter your weight, your skin color, your lip size, your smile, you are so much more than your looks. Putting yourself down, comparing yourself to others, stop! It’s hard to realize what the beauty standards are doing to your mindset, but once you start focusing on who you are inside, that’s the real beauty. Beauty is not just how you look, it’s about how you treat yourself, and how you treat other people. There’s so much we can do to stop these unrealistic standards, and we can start by loving and accepting each other and ourselves for who we are.