Should not: As the idea of "grooming" puts pressure on us
margarita virova
Surely you have often heard a variety of wording the conventional wisdom that "a beautiful woman is a well-groomed woman." Glossy publications dog ate on the compilation of lists of "rules" of such a woman: the number of sins certainly includes regrown roots and the lack of manicure. It does not occur to many that a woman should not do anything to anyone in terms of appearance - besides, the need to “look appropriate” hides behind herself much more than simply imposing certain behavior.
Men have a little easier, although similar content tend to indulge in publications aimed at them. Blogger Tatiana Nikonova draws attention to her Facebook page, which, for example, still has an unspoken rule in photos: men's hands on pictures can be anything, but women's hands should be "well-groomed." The model of hands, in general, is a whole profession - and it has its own absurd limits of permissible. In this case, the notorious female grooming is hardly related to hygiene or health protection, and the harm this stereotype brings much more than good. And in offices, and even more so in private life, women are still expected to have in their schedule rituals to support a certain type, whose fantastic canons are presented as commandments lowered from above.
We live in a strange time: many of us are aware of the double burden and the economic activity of women around the world, including in Russia, is increasing. Our market of cosmetics and beauty services continues to live a hectic life: recent surveys have shown that, for example, Muscovites are ready to invest up to fifteen thousand rubles in facial and body treatments every month, and as many more in the wardrobe. Such expenses may well be a comfortable personal choice, but there is also a downside: the level of support for conventional beauty and grooming directly affects professional success and income - and this is especially true for women.
People to this day tend to make a first impression of each other, based on the assessment of external signs
There are enough scientific papers on this topic: for example, last year’s Chicago Tribune article cites data from a multi-year study in which fourteen thousand respondents participated. His results showed that people who are outwardly attractive by today's standards receive higher salaries. In this case, the chance to increase and increase income falls primarily to those who spend more time on hair, makeup and manicure. In the case of male professionals, this does not matter much. Thus, many women, even in the workplace, exist in paradoxical circumstances that involve significant spending on excess in order to make progress in their career growth.
People from ancient times saw the connection between physical attractiveness and the beautiful inner world - you can recall the Greek concept of "kalokagatia", which, of course, was formed in the circumstances of a completely different world, but the psychological roots were the same. People still tend to make a first impression of each other, based on the assessment of external signs - this applies not only to conformity with the mass ideals of beauty, but also, for example, facial expressions and facial features: for example, to those in whose expression "authoritativeness" is read, easier to get a leadership position.
Nevertheless, this assessment remains extremely superficial, which is emphasized by all the same scientists. For conventionally attractive people, unfortunately, the law often works the other way around: situations in which not quite competent employees find themselves in high positions are also known to research. Another important point is that beauty is often associated with health, although there is no scientific basis for this. Social psychologists Lisa Slattery Walker and Tonya Frevert point out that this circumstance, unfortunately, can deceive even your doctor.
All of the above are only the most serious and noticeable problems arising from everyday Lukizma. Aggressive advertising of cosmetics continues to stimulate the fear of being "not beautiful enough." Aesthetic cosmetology and plastic surgery, meanwhile, are becoming more accessible and popular, and at the same time the list of basic attributes of "grooming" is expanding. Here is a visual infographic on Mint.com: for the rest of their lives, the average American spends up to $ 15,000 on beauty requirements, 85% of the cosmetics market’s audience are women, and another 50% of women say they believe makeup helps them succeed at work.
Fortunately, our personal perception of someone else’s beauty is not based on tacitly established ideals, but on our personal history, tastes, preferences, and memory.
Often, external signs that are a conscious choice or an innate feature: graying, acne, body hair with the exception of the head and, of course, "overweight", about which the spears of not very knowledgeable fighters continue to break, fall under the neck of "neglect" or "negligence" for someone else's health. Meanwhile, there is a great deal of information about the fight against acne, and at least one can learn from them that the reason is most often not in the “neglect” and eating of burgers, and the treatment will almost always be time consuming and expensive. Persecuted people with such features are so often that they practically have no opportunity to make another choice - trivial acne or wrinkles are able to practically cut off a person from normal existence in society and provoke depression.
This does not mean that it is necessary to revolt against the industry, the achievements of which can be used consciously or completely asceticly. But to live in a world in which the head will not judge your competence by how smoothly your cuticle is trimmed or how your hair lies, we really would like - we also have the right to sincere and sincere laziness. Fortunately, our personal perception of someone else’s beauty is not based on tacitly approved ideals, but on our personal history, tastes, preferences, and memory - and here, you see, there can be no hierarchies.