Beauty Unboxed: Understanding and Confronting Society’s Standards

Beauty is the epitome of perception. Across cultures, the definition of beauty takes on various forms. In Pakistan, particularly for women, distinct benchmarks have been established, shaping a unique perspective on what is deemed beautiful. One should be tall, but not too tall, she should have a fair skin tone; just enough to look ‘privileged’, have round eyes and pink lips, and be slim because nothing beyond that is acceptable. But the truth is, we don’t have any control over how we look so why are individuals in our society always discriminated against? Despite our efforts to champion inner beauty and self-acceptance, the beauty industry in Pakistan has a different agenda. Their marketing strategies often instill a sense of complexity in women, contradicting the ideals of embracing one’s true self.It is reported that 90% of the beauty industry in Pakistan is fairness creams that bring some sort of ‘glow’ to one’s face. However, this tradition of skin whitening has existed longer than the emergence of these beauty creams. During British colonialism in the subcontinent, skin tones were used to distinguish between the social classes prevalent at the time. Individuals with a lighter complexion were considered to be superior to those who had a darker complexion. People having darker skin tones were deemed ‘poor’ and ‘filthy’ and inferior to the others. In countries other than Pakistan such as China and South Korea, fair skin tones are a symbol of purity and elegance whereas those with a darker skin tone are always looked down upon in every sector of society. Similarly, body types are also used as a form of discrimination in our country. Body shaming is one of the most prevalent dilemmas in Pakistan and the most customary habit practiced by every other person. It takes one sentence from someone to ruin one’s perception of themselves. Being called ‘fat’ or ‘too skinny’ are probably the most common phrases one would get to hear in their day-to-day lives, especially for women in Pakistan. Our society finds humor in degrading both men and women about their physical appearance and will use any opportunity to point out something about someone, making them feel more insecure without realizing that they too are humans who have feelings. We often make remarks about other people, overlooking the detrimental impacts it would have on their mental well-being. Depression, isolation, social anxiety, and low self-esteem are all byproducts of the way someone is looked at through the eyes of society. Since our early years, society’s been the ultimate fashion police, dictating our wardrobe, speech, and behavior. Stray from the prescribed path, and suddenly, you’re not ‘beautiful’ or ‘woman-like.’ But picture this: a rebellion against these societal norms, a glorious escape into authenticity. What if our key to a better world is shattering these expectations? Let’s embark on a journey to create a society where every woman feels not just safe but celebrated, defying judgments based on appearance. Buckle up for a ride into a world where individuality triumphs!