In our changing world, appearance is of great importance. It is strange if one does not take great care in one’s physical appearance. The standards set out by the society, the mass media and cultural changes dictate that a good appearance is not important to only the workplace and businesses but also to daily encounters. This creates a lasting impression on others as it builds on an individual’s inner values and attitudes and in turn tells a lot about one’s personality, style and class. Individuals in the society do care more about their appearance nowadays as they need to integrate into the socially accepted groups in the society.
In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a sense of belonging and acceptance is important for one’s development and this is acceptable. The mass media plays an important role in this need. It creates visual images of how people may want to see themselves in an effort to become accepted by all. The mass media continue to present celebrities with sophisticated appearances that will appeal to the egos of people and in particular those who just want to fit in with the rest of the society. However, this can create a problem as people tend to overspend on their appearances and forget about the other important aspects of their lives such as bills and medical issues.
The ego is that aspect of the id that directly influences one’s need to embrace what is good about oneself. The ego develops in order to mediate between the unrealistic id and the external real world. It is a decision making component of personality and which shapes one’s ideals about how one should look based on the perception of the society. In itself, the ego allows one to view acceptable standards of the society – even though they may not be morally enriching – and subconsciously forces the individuals to lean towards this acceptable state regardless of the consequences.
On one hand, the importance of appearances is due to the changes in the cultural practices and beliefs of people. The hip-hop industry in particular encourages the wearing of heavy jewelry, large pants falling below the hips, and tight fitting clothes for women, short sexy outfits for teenagers among others. Teenagers in particular who want to emulate their idols will save money and often overspend to reach such desires. To them, it is very important to keep up with the latest fashion of their idols and this they believe will make them feel better about themselves.
One may say that people in general have not increased their desire to improve their appearances as throughout the years it has always been of importance to everyone, but what of the increase in plastic surgery to improve facial appearances or to continue to look like an adolescent at the age of fifty (50) years? Many of these movie stars look the same today as they did fifteen or even twenty years ago and have become even more popular on the television screen. Of course people’s inner desires to look good and be a star in their own right will prevail. It is only human to want the exquisite life of a movie star.
In today’s society, society promotes that the more attractive individuals are, the more popular they will be with both classmates and even teachers. Of course, this is morally wrong but unconsciously it happens. People are quicker to be more receptive of an attractively well-dressed beggar on the side of the road than those that are dirty. Ray B. Williams (2014) refers to Beisanz research which shows that people are motivated to pay closer attention to beautiful people for many reasons, including curiosity, romantic interest or a desire for friendship or social status. "Not only do we judge books by their covers, we read the ones with beautiful covers much closer than others".
On the other hand, one popular stereotype according to Kate Fox 1997 “what is beautiful is good”. Further reference is made to the Disney classics that portray the beautiful princesses as good and the wicked stepmother as ugly. This concept is what is often taught in the society teach our children because it was taught to us and will continue to be taught as the mass media continues to take giant steps into the next millennium.
Kate Fox further states that the concern with appearance is not unique to Modern Western culture but has been around since ancient times. In the 19th century, women who wore corsets were seen as having the acceptable physical attributes that would make them beautiful while women in the 21st century diet and exercise continuously to have an ideal shape. Men on the other hand, practically live at the gym to get the ideal physique. Magazines and movies promote the sexiest man and women of the year and who honestly does not want to be a part of that life?
Sedra Spano (2004) reinforces that at the middle adolescent period in life or the Movement toward Independence these individuals are “extremely concerned with appearance and with one’s body”. At this stage, appearance is of great importance. They will try just about anything from new and untested facial products to tested and proven products that will enhance their physical appearance. They will take dieting to a new level to remain in shape and often become physically ill. They are unconcerned with this as their new look will make them more acceptable by their peers whose attention they crave.
In concluding, the appearance of an individual is important. The lengths to which one may go to adapt to these changes are endless. The value of changes to an individual’s appearance will vary according to the individual, but it does not mean that the individual is less of a positive individual because of their positive believe about enhancing their positive appearances.
References
Williams, Ray B. Why we pay more attention to beautiful people Web 1997 Psychology Today
Web. August 6, 2011
Fox, Kate SIRC – Social Issue Research Centre, Web. April 2, 2014
Spano, Sedra Stages of Adolescent Development Research Facts and Findings, n.d. Web April
2, 2014
