Western Beauty Pressures and Their Impact on Young University Women

Abstract

This research examines the impact of Western beauty pressures on a select group of young Canadian women. I gathered data using qualitative semi-structured interviews and analysed the data using an intersectional analysis of oppression in order to learn how women"s race, class and culture backgrounds shape their experiences with Western beauty pressures. The interviews were analysed using the voice-centred relational method of data analysis. The thirteen women interviewed discussed their perceptions of Western beauty pressures, how these pressures shape their engagement or lack thereof in beauty practices, and strategies they employ for resistance. The results are organized under six main themes: (a) gender roles and beauty (b) education, careers and beauty practices (c) influence of family, friends, relationships and peers (d) cosmetics (e) weight, and (f) resistance.

African American/Latina High School Girls� Preoccupation with Concepts of Personal Beauty

“…As a result, the self-worth and education of many young women of color are negatively impacted. For high school girls, this is especially true because they are becoming more interested in how they look, particularly how they look in the eyes of their peers (Mckay, 2014). An attractive physical appearance becomes increasingly important and is often equated with being "perfect".…”

“…Interestingly, the researchers also found that as the amount of time used to achieve advertised perception of beauty and perfection increases, these students' interest in academic success decreased. (2006) In relation to gender roles and beauty, Mckay (2014) found that being a female athlete while trying to meet Western standards of idealized femininity was problematic. Since sports are typically considered to be a male domain, women who enter this space are often ridiculed, masculinized and harassed.…”

“…At the same time, young men are also viewing those images and receive the same message-that the value of females is based on physical appearance. Mckay (2014) found that participants felt the need to wear makeup in order to hide flaws and meet western standards of femininity. Mckay concluded that women's race and class play a major role in shaping how they experience beauty "ideals of Western cosmetic companies as one of the main determining factors in shaping women's experiences with their bodies.…”

“…At the same time, young men are also viewing those images and receive the same message-that the value of females is based on physical appearance (Newsome, 2011). These images are largely based on Western ideals of beauty as being white, youthful, and slender (Mckay, 2014). The racial make-up in the United States is rapidly changing, however.…”

“…Even more disturbing is the negative impacts on students', perceptions of self-worth (Hargreaves, & Tiggemann, 2004;Lupu, 2013;Markey & Markey, 2010). Mckay (2014) found that Western beauty practices interfere with a woman's ability to reach a level playing field with men in academia and in the work force since these practices take up time, energy and money. For high school girls, how much additional time and energy a young girl gives to her appearance may be reflected in how well or how poorly she is doing is school.…”