The Culture of Beauty

by Louise I. Gerdes (Editor)

Overview

This volume examines how today's standards of attractiveness and plastic surgery techniques have changed in light of multicultural and global influences. Essays are arranged in a sequence of for-or-against viewpoints that will allow readers to activate their critical thinking skills. Across four chapters, readers will evaluate how beauty standards are established, the impact that ideals of beauty have on society, whether people should strive for beauty, and the impact that the beauty and fashion industries have on society.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780737763119
Publisher:	Greenhaven Publishing LLC
Publication date:	06/12/2013
Series:	Opposing Viewpoints Series
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	15 - 17 Years

About the Author

B01

Table of Contents

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints? 11

Introduction 14

Chapter 1 How Are Standards of Beauty Established?

Chapter Preface 21

1 Standards of Beauty Are Determined by Evolutionary Biology Glenn Wilson 24

2 Facial Beauty Standards Are Universal While Body Beauty Standards Are Cultural Michal Brichacek Robert Moreland 34

3 Standards of Beauty Are Increasingly Influenced by the Media Deborah L. Rhode 41

4 Market Principles Foster Dangerous Standards of Beauty Susie Orbach 52

5 Western Standards of Beauty Have Spread via Globalization Yasmin Alibhai-Brown 57

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 69

Chapter 2 What Impacts Do Ideals of Beauty Have on Society?

Chapter Preface 71

1 Women Are Judged on Their Appearance Rather than on Their Competence Natasha Walter 74

2 Ideals of Beauty Need Not Hinder Women Raina Kelley 82

3 Discrimination Against Unattractive People in the Workplace Is a Problem Deborah L. Rhode 88

4 Attractiveness Is Necessary for Some Jobs Mary Elizabeth Williams 96

5 Media Images of Beauty Hurt Ethnic Women Lindsay Kite 100

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 107

Chapter 3 Should People Strive for Beauty?

Chapter Preface 109

1 Striving for Beauty Is Important Amy Alkon 112

2 The Pursuit of Beauty Is Harmful Shari Graydon 119

3 In a Landmark Paper Just Published in the Prestigious Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, an Innovative Technique in African American Rhinoplasty Proves to Preserve Ethnicity, Increase Self-Esteem Biotech Week 128

4 The Risks of Cosmetic Surgery Should Not Be Ignored Alexander Edmonds 132

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 137

Chapter 4 What Are the Societal Effects of the Beauty and Fashion Industries?

Chapter Preface 139

1 Altered Fashion Magazine Photographs Contribute to Unrealistic Body Images Vivian Diller 142

2 Altered Fashion Magazine Photographs Do Not Cause Eating Disorders Carrie Arnold 148

3 The Fashion Industry Promotes Eating Disorders Libby Rodenbough 153

4 The Media Foster Misplaced Public Concern About Anorexia Laurie Penny 164

Periodical and Internet Sources Bibliography 168

For Further Discussion 169

Organizations to Contact 172

Bibliography of Books 178

Index 181