The Die in Diet: How North American Ideas of Beauty Harm Women

Humankind has always been aware of the existence of beauty. As our species has grown intellectually and socially, the standards that constitute beauty have changed to suit our culture. Females, in particular, are given more focus than males when it comes to appearance (Jackson, 1992). For instance, cosmetics cater almost exclusively to women and while they are considered a luxury, they have come to represent more of a grim necessity for females (Hansen & Reed, 1986). In the Western civilisation of North America, the concept of what constitutes beauty has transformed from the curvy and voluptuous looks of Marilyn Monroe to the sickly thin figure of supermodel Twiggy. The most recent concept of the ideal female has moved farther away from the realistic, to a look that has become unattainable to the average woman. This image of impossible beauty is constantly being presented to women through the media. In drastic efforts to harmonise with the modern notion of beauty, many women have developed negative and self-destructive habits and beliefs in regards to their own bodies.…