Beauty

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

I think its so interesting that many people in Europe dont really care about the straightness or whiteness of someones teeth, while here, in the United States, bad teeth are a huge turn off. We pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for near perfect teeth. I went to a Lehi orthodontist for my teeth. In a way, Im almost jealous that they dont have to worry about that frivolous cost. They wont get humiliated when they show up to professional interviews like we would if we had bad teeth. It just seems more convenient. It makes me wonder why concepts of beauty are different across cultures, and, while Im at it, across time periods as well.

It seems like beauty has often been related to signs of wealth, health, and symmetry, though money often comes first, unfortunately. For instance, in the Renaissance, round, white men and women were preferred because it was a sign that they didnt have to do work in the fields and had enough money to eat well. However, nowadays, skinny, tan men and women are thought to be symbols of true beauty. In these times, processed, sugary foods are often then cheapest, so it takes money to keep ones self in good health and at a good weight.

Also, going to a tanning bed suggests that a person has money to spend, since not many of us work in the fields anymore. Where, in some countries, blonde people are looked upon like gods, they might not even be noticed in other places. I suppose that beauty is something that just becomes culturally established, though it doesnt seem like anyone really recognizes what is going on. Instead of worrying about the changing standards of beauty, I am simply worried about keeping myself healthy. Sure, makeup and dressing up is nice, but it isnt necessary. And Im not going to change parts of me that have always been there. I am who I am.