The Weight of Beauty: Navigating Societal Pressures on Body Image

“I feel as if I am not good enough for him”, said a very close friend of mine about how she “looks” in comparison to her husband of 12+ years (love marriage) in a heart-to-heart conversation. As I probed further, she admitted that it’s not her husband that makes her feel this way, on the contrary, he says and does everything that should be and is assuring of his love and admiration for her. But it is the society, the people around them in the family that give her those direct and/or indirect “vibes”. It was heartbreaking for me to hear this - a friend of mine for almost 2 decades, counted amongst the most pretty and talented girls in our class, with such undermined impressions of herself. Yes, over the years her appearance has changed, and I would not get into the details of the irrelevant reasons for this. But what is bewildering is the fact that she is a well-educated, successful professional today, who is also seamlessly taking care of her family, and all her familial responsibilities in an extended family setup - are not much relevant to her. The fact that both her husband and daughter adore her and are super proud of her, makes little difference to her when compared with what the other “irrelevant” people around her feel about her.

No amount of our explanation, cajoling, or consoling made her feel better about this.

How did this happen? Why did this happen to her??

The Impact of Societal Pressure and Social Media on Body Image

Societal pressure plays a significant role in shaping our perception of beauty and body image. From a young age, women are bombarded with images of 'ideal' bodies, leading to unrealistic expectations and a distorted sense of self.

The media plays a significant role in perpetuating the beauty myth by reinforcing unrealistic beauty standards and promoting a homogenous image of beauty. From airbrushed magazine covers to heavily edited social media posts, the media often presents an idealized version of beauty that is unattainable for most women.

Moreover, the media's focus on physical appearance and its association with success and happiness further reinforces the beauty myth. This narrow portrayal of beauty undermines the accomplishments and potential of women, reducing them to mere objects of aesthetic value.

While social media can offer a platform for self-expression and empowerment, it also has the potential to fuel insecurities and perpetuate unhealthy beauty ideals. The constant need for validation through likes and comments can lead to a never-ending pursuit of external validation, taking a toll on mental well-being.

I have always been a large girl – tall and healthy. I have always been subject to comments, and criticisms about how I look. There were relatives who would say “Aur kitni lambi hogi? Ladka kaise milega?” (How tall do you want to be? How will your family find the right groom for you that matches your height?). Then there were friends and some cousins who called me “Moti” (fat), lovingly though, but I hated it. I wanted to scream, yell, and tell them to stop but it was just so common, such an everyday thing, and so casual, that I never did.

I vividly remember an incident from when I was around 12 years old. I was in the market with my father, and he stopped for a few minutes to meet a couple of his friends there. Since this was taking so long, I told my father that I wanted to sit, and he directed me to his scooter that was parked on its main stand. As I attempted to sit on the back seat of this scooter, the scooter wobbled for a couple of nanoseconds and then stabilized. A friend of my father standing there, sang “Khate Peete Ghar Ke… Ham Ranjo-Gam se Door Hain” (I am from a well-off family and have good food, I am far away from the miseries of the world). And everyone laughed. I only looked away with my head down as if I didn’t understand any of it.

From a very early age, I had thus learned to live with my body, the way I was – to tell people that they don’t matter to me, and their words don’t hurt me. I distanced myself from comments and over a period of time, compliments too. I thereby somewhat accepted myself as a whole, but it would be very coy of me to say that it didn’t matter to me at all. It did. It still does, but maybe not as much as it does to my friend.

Here, it is important to note, that there is the same “inadequacy” in the beauty standards for both of us, so to say – a similar experience, however, we both feel it in different ways, and we both have a different impact on our thoughts and perceptions, and both of us deal with it differently – one opens herself more to the world as a receiver, while the other shuts herself to the world.

The Consequences of the Beauty Myth on Mental Well-being

The consequences of the constant comparison to societal standards and the beauty myth on mental well-being are far-reaching and pervasive. Research has shown a strong correlation between negative body image and the development of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The pressure to conform to societal beauty norms can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-doubt and self-criticism, taking a toll on mental well-being.

When women internalize these beauty ideals, they often find themselves in a never-ending cycle of self-criticism and self-doubt. The obsession with physical appearance can overshadow other aspects of their lives, hindering personal growth, relationships, and overall happiness. Moreover, the beauty myth perpetuates a culture of judgment and comparison, creating a toxic environment that fosters insecurity and self-hatred.

The Importance of Promoting Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

Promoting body positivity and self-acceptance is essential for creating a more inclusive and empowering society. Embracing diverse representations of beauty and celebrating all body types can help challenge the narrow beauty standards imposed by society.

Body positivity encourages individuals to love and accept their bodies as they are, free from judgment and comparison. It promotes a healthy relationship with one's body and fosters self-confidence and self-worth. By recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, we can empower women to embrace their unique beauty and live authentically.

We, the women of today, are the lesson to be learned by our daughters, the women of tomorrow. As we promote self-acceptance, we teach them to focus on their inner qualities, strengths, and accomplishments rather than their physical appearance.

Our self-acceptance allows “us” to define beauty on our terms and break free from the constraints of societal expectations.

Strategies for Combatting the Beauty Myth

Combatting the beauty myth requires a collective effort to challenge societal norms and redefine beauty standards. Here are some strategies to dismantle the beauty myth and promote a more inclusive and empowering definition of beauty:

1.????? Education and Awareness: Engaging in conversations, sharing resources, and supporting initiatives that promote body positivity and self-acceptance, and educate about the damaging effects of the beauty myth can help shift the narrative surrounding beauty standards.

2.????? Media Literacy: Developing media literacy skills can help individuals critically analyze and question the messages portrayed by the media and resist their influence and demand more diverse and authentic representations of beauty.

3.????? Embracing Diversity: Celebrating diversity in all its forms is crucial for combatting the beauty myth. By embracing different body types, ethnicities, ages, and abilities, we can challenge the narrow beauty standards imposed by society and create a more inclusive definition of beauty.

Conclusion: Embracing Diversity and Redefining Beauty Standards

In conclusion, the beauty myth perpetuated by society has far-reaching consequences on body image and mental well-being. By challenging these narrow beauty standards and embracing diversity, we can redefine what it means to be beautiful.

Promoting body positivity, self-acceptance, and inner strength is essential for empowering women to embrace their unique beauty and celebrate their accomplishments. By shifting the focus from external appearances to inner qualities, we can create a society that values women for their unique contributions and fosters mental well-being.

It's time to shatter the beauty myth and celebrate the strength, courage, and unwavering self-confidence that make women truly beautiful. Together, let's redefine beauty standards and create a world where all women can thrive, regardless of their adherence to societal expectations.