Looking Good

A fairly recent study over there in the UK demonstrates that more than a half (56%) of young women between 15 and 22 years old are being bullied because of their appearance.

An old Algerian saying goes: “Good and Bad are everywhere”. This is useful here, because I strongly want to avoid any kind of generalization. Instead, I will talk about the majority, the more widespread view, idea or action surrounding my topic, which is, you guessed it, looks.

In the late sixties, the social activist Jerry Rubin talked to the press about the obsession around looks for the Americans. Well, this obsession didn't know any kind of decline. In fact, it became a judgmental and bullying factor; it got even higher, to the point where young people consider suicide.

Jerry Rubin

John Lennon

Media

Materialism by the media

When Jerry Rubin made his speech, it was mainly focused on hygiene, as he was constantly referring to “underarm deodorant” and “bad breath”. But the problem in our generation is not hygiene, as it is more of a given, and clean is always beautiful (I hope this is not generalizing); it is more about the fashion, the genetics, the style and even the way of walking.

Also for the youth in the sixties appearances were important. For example, long hair for men had a certain connotations, as it wasn't conventional. So the trend was labeling a long-haired young man with music listeners, government hating, drugs knowing, etc. In addition, the conservative parents of the youth of that generation where worried about the looks of their children, as they thought that it has some ideologies behind.

A common point between the two generations is the struggle to accept differences. This way of thinking has always a reference to which every external is compared.

And how can we talk about physical appearance without talking about the media? Right off the bat, I’d like to clear something: media is nothing without the people worshiping it. It is easy to blame the media on its own, but the problem is in its followers too. So please, conspiracy theories and stuff… thank you.

Well, for a fact, media evolved as people evolved. In the sixties and now, the media sent and is still sending a single message, which is considered being the best it can be, in every aspect of the life, and especially looks. Magazines, fashion (I hate fashion by the way), music, movies… These are all pointing towards an absolute “must-be” or “must have”, and this affects people, in any generation. Youth in particular.

Summing up, I’d say that in the sixties, hippies where judged on their looks, and swept aside by society, same as some groups of people now (homeless, hipsters, ill, poor, immigrants …). The impact of these judgments about looks can lead to depression and suicide in some cases.

A single reference is bad, because references may not be reachable by everybody, implying that some will ‘fail’, and therefore will be spotted and marginalized and ridiculed in advanced cases. I want to say that everyone has his/her own tastes, and must have her/his own style: diversity is a huge treasure.