What does it mean to be pretty? Who defines beauty standards? What kind of privileges would someone get who is viewed as ‘pretty’ that others don’t?
Society is so concerned with the idea of looking good to the outside world, whether it be by paying for lip fillers or getting a face lift, through to changing your style to suit what others deem to be fashionable to fit the crowd.
Beauty is of course subjective, but the ideals that have been ingrained into our minds of what ‘pretty’ is, mainly revolve around being thin, able-bodied and having petite and symmetrical facial features.
It’s absurd that we let those standards dictate such an enormous part of our lives, but it’s hard not to when it’s so evident that there’s everyday benefits of fitting this criteria.
“If your genetics aren’t screaming tiny waist and button nose, then you simply have to show other talents to get there”
One known privilege that comes with being ‘pretty’ includes those being able to build themselves on social media platforms such as Instagram.
If you are considered society’s view of aesthetically pleasing, then you’ll gain more followers, brand deals from companies and have a lot more potential to become a social media ‘influencer’.
If your genetics aren’t screaming tiny waist and button nose, then you simply have to show other talents to get there.
Someone without the pretty privilege ideals would more often than not need to be able to teach the viewers a skill, educate, or offer something of value rather than just being someone we can all gaze upon.
Tik Toks have circulated with those viewed as ‘pretty’ talking about their experiences such as being able to skip a queue, getting into a celebrity nightclub event or receiving things for free. Even the privileged themselves have noticed how unfair this is, so why can’t we stop it?
The inequality is declining with Gen-Z trying to push these societal boundaries to encourage every body-type and facial structure to realise that we’re all pretty in the eyes of someone else and should be in ourselves, but by no means have we reached the end.
By Kirsty Massey
