EL 14 Jan 2014
" Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"
When i look in the mirror, all i see is imperfection. Legs that could be just a little bit longer. Eyes and hair the colour of dirt. An upper lip which prevents e from getting my face too close to someone. These are just some of the many physical flaws i see. They say 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but I'll tell you that my eyes behold no beauty. Honestly, I can't remember the last time i saw myself and thought, "Hey, that's not so bad". It seems like I've always felt this way.
I know i am not the only one, because all i have to do is log in to instagram, and there i find so many others who feel exactly the way i do, posting pictures with the caption 'legs or hotdogs?' or sending comments like "oh my gosh, you're so pretty and skinny, unlike me". But why do we feel this way?
Many people blame the media, citing the frequent portrayal of unhealthily skinny women in a positive light as an excuse for the steadily declining self esteem of many young women and teenage girls. It is no secret that these day, women are constantly bombarded with advertisements and magazine articles which promote 'younger looking eyes' or 'acne-free skin' and 'rapid weight loss in only 10 days!!!' However, I feel that although the media plays a critical part in influencing the way we view ourselves (and the way others see us), it is not solely to blame.
In the past, most men in the past preferred full-figured women as opposed to thin women, primarily because the felt that the latter would not be able to produce children as easily. Marilyn Monroe, who had a full hourglass figure, became one of the biggest sex symbols in hollywood, but evidently, the perception of beauty has changed. In today's society, your image can make a very big difference in the way people treat you. This might be another reason for the steadily declining self=esteem of women all over the world. We are constantly told to look neat and well-groomed. We involuntarily judge random people on the street based on their appearance.
The people around us are constantly comparing. Mothers, sisters, cousins, friends, all at some point, voice their desire to look better, and I feel that this influence has been terribly underestimated, because for me, the people i look up to are my friends and family, and if they feel so insecure despite constant reminders that there is nothing wrong with them, what's to stop me from feeling the same way?
Of course, at the end of the day, we all strive to improve, to be better in some way. I am trying to look in the mirror more often and be happy with what I see. I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way.
Teacher's Comments:
A really competent piece of writing. Clear and engaging. You focus a lot on women in your reflection. Is there a reason for this?
24/30
When i look in the mirror, all i see is imperfection. Legs that could be just a little bit longer. Eyes and hair the colour of dirt. An upper lip which prevents e from getting my face too close to someone. These are just some of the many physical flaws i see. They say 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder", but I'll tell you that my eyes behold no beauty. Honestly, I can't remember the last time i saw myself and thought, "Hey, that's not so bad". It seems like I've always felt this way.
I know i am not the only one, because all i have to do is log in to instagram, and there i find so many others who feel exactly the way i do, posting pictures with the caption 'legs or hotdogs?' or sending comments like "oh my gosh, you're so pretty and skinny, unlike me". But why do we feel this way?
Many people blame the media, citing the frequent portrayal of unhealthily skinny women in a positive light as an excuse for the steadily declining self esteem of many young women and teenage girls. It is no secret that these day, women are constantly bombarded with advertisements and magazine articles which promote 'younger looking eyes' or 'acne-free skin' and 'rapid weight loss in only 10 days!!!' However, I feel that although the media plays a critical part in influencing the way we view ourselves (and the way others see us), it is not solely to blame.
In the past, most men in the past preferred full-figured women as opposed to thin women, primarily because the felt that the latter would not be able to produce children as easily. Marilyn Monroe, who had a full hourglass figure, became one of the biggest sex symbols in hollywood, but evidently, the perception of beauty has changed. In today's society, your image can make a very big difference in the way people treat you. This might be another reason for the steadily declining self=esteem of women all over the world. We are constantly told to look neat and well-groomed. We involuntarily judge random people on the street based on their appearance.
The people around us are constantly comparing. Mothers, sisters, cousins, friends, all at some point, voice their desire to look better, and I feel that this influence has been terribly underestimated, because for me, the people i look up to are my friends and family, and if they feel so insecure despite constant reminders that there is nothing wrong with them, what's to stop me from feeling the same way?
Of course, at the end of the day, we all strive to improve, to be better in some way. I am trying to look in the mirror more often and be happy with what I see. I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way.
Teacher's Comments:
A really competent piece of writing. Clear and engaging. You focus a lot on women in your reflection. Is there a reason for this?
24/30
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