W.O.M.E.N.

Warriors Overcoming Misconceptions, Empowering Nations

 

By Lillian Tracy '25

 

Something that is not often spoken about, but universally experienced, is the concept of comparison, specifically as it relates to body image and the portrayal of women in the media. 

 

Women come in all shapes and sizes, influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and personal choices. This natural diversity is a fundamental reality, one that is meant to be embraced peacefully for the enrichment of society as a whole. However, the media disrupts this peace by imposing narrow standards of beauty through the portrayal of certain individuals, categorizing women as "good" or "bad" based on arbitrary, ever-changing criteria. As a result, women are unfairly burdened with unattainable expectations that limit their ability to lead fulfilling lives free from the constraints most prominently imposed by the media. 

 

The term “media” encompasses various communication channels and platforms through which information, entertainment, and ideas can be spread. These include traditional outlets such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines, as well as newer digital platforms like websites, social media, streaming services, and podcasts. With advancements in technology and the widespread availability of the internet, media has become increasingly accessible and consumed by people all over the world. However, it is important to recognize that, while the media can serve as a source of entertainment for many and facilitate connections between distanced people, it can also perpetuate hate and discrimination, both intentionally and unintentionally. Whether it be through the lack of representation, sensationalized representation, or consensus in public responses to content containing representations of certain groups in media content, discrimination—defining the standards of “good” and “bad”—can bleed into the minds and lives of media consumers. 

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Also, because women with such features are often granted the leading roles in movies that end happily, in TV shows, and in books, as well as positions on the front cover of magazines and advertisements, the media instills the belief that “only women like these live admirable and exciting lives”; however, the reality is that a significant percentage of young white women do not have these features and cannot naturally conform to this ideal. The media, therefore, does not reflect the true diversity of white female bodies, yet often encourages women to believe that diversity is a burden, ​​perpetuating a false narrative that sustains unrealistic standards of beauty and undermines self-worth. 

 

Unfortunately, misrepresentation of women’s bodies and the perpetuation of beauty standards—  often in an attempt to encourage inclusivity—also extends to various cultures worldwide, including Indian, Chinese, Hispanic, and African-American cultures. In depicting Indian women, the media often adheres to traditional Indian beauty standards characterized by “fair” skin, “large breasts, wide hips, and tapering legs” (Fair and Lovely: Standards of Beauty, Globalization, and the Modern Indian Woman, n.d.). Similarly, Chinese women are depicted according to a standard featuring pale skin, a “melon seed face,” and a “thin and dainty” figure (Standards of Beauty in China | What Is Considered Beautiful in China?, 2023). On the other hand, Hispanic women are portrayed with a “dramatic curvy body,” “bronzed facial complexion,” and “red pouty lips,” reflecting traditional beauty ideals (Ramirez & Castaneda, 2018). Black-American women are depicted with “wide hips, large breasts, a round behind and a small waist,” also in line with their cultural beauty standards (McDonald, 2022). These depictions erroneously imply that all women from these cultures possess such features. Worse, for individuals who identify with these cultures but do not fit these standards, these narrow representations can lead to internalized pressure to conform, promoting undeserved feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. One could argue that this perpetuation of beauty standards in the media is also a form of stereotyping, as it implies that all individuals from these cultures fit into a specific mold. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie famously remarked in her TED talk: The Danger of a Single Story, “the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but incomplete” (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story, 2009). In saying this, Adichie draws attention to the danger of reducing individuals to simplistic categories based on physical appearance, emphasizing the need for more nuanced and inclusive representations in the media. 

 

Women from each of these cultural backgrounds have come together to share their testimonies online, revealing their struggles with unrealistic beauty standards and the resultant feelings of inadequacy. Hispanic women, as highlighted in articles like “The Oracle,” speak out against the media's objectification of Latinas, questioning whether they must adhere to sexualized or "exotic-looking" standards to be considered "good enough." One writer reflects, “The media objectifies Latinas and sets up an unrealistic standard to which other Latinas, like myself, hold themselves. To be considered a ‘good enough’ Latina, do I have to be sexualized or ‘exotic-looking’?” (Ramirez & Castaneda, 2018). Similarly, Chinese women, as depicted in accounts like the one on Medium, express bewilderment over body image expectations, asking whether they are deemed "fat" in their culture or if societal norms are to blame. One woman recounts, “I couldn’t bring myself to comprehend why an XL shirt fit even smaller than a medium-sized shirt obtained from an American brand on my average 12-year-old body […] So … was I really just considered fat in China or are Chinese bodies simply meant to be smaller?” (Lu, 2021). Black- American women, as discussed in platforms like Washington Square News, New York University’s independent student newspaper, describe the pressure to attain the "slim-thick" ideal, fueled by trends such as the use of apetamin and Ensure Plus. One writer reflects on this, stating, “On YouTube, girls my age raved about apetamin for giving them boobs and a butt. They told me about the combination of apetamin and Ensure Plus doing wonders, making them slim-thick. At the time, I really wanted to be slim-thick. I still do” (McDonald, 2022).

 

Meanwhile, Indian women, as detailed in articles on Popxo and HuffPost, recall yearning for lighter skin tones in a culture that values fair complexion, leading to feelings of self-loathing and dissatisfaction with their natural appearance. One woman shares, “I longed for skin that was just one, maybe two shades lighter” (Kalra, 2023). Another reflects, “I remember hating myself for letting my face get so dark in the summer, and feeling not just careless, but hideous because of the color of my skin” (Iyer, 2015). 

 

Across these diverse cultural backgrounds, women share a common narrative of grappling with their self-image and striving to meet unattainable beauty standards throughout their lives. Not only is this no way for one individual to live, but also it has a significant effect on the rest of society. Women have historically played indispensable roles in shaping society. Consider, for instance, Marie Curie, a pioneering scientist who discovered two new elements, radium and polonium, and was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She also helped develop cancer treatments and drove ambulances equipped with X-ray machines during World War I (Marie Curie the Scientist | Biog, Facts & Quotes, n.d.). Or Rosalind Franklin, whose X-ray crystallography research was crucial to the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, a landmark scientific breakthrough, and many others (The Structure of DNA: How Dr Rosalind Franklin Contributed to the Story of Life | Feature from King's College London, n.d.). However, when women are encumbered by unrealistic expectations, society inadvertently undermines the potential of its most influential contributors and, in turn, weakens itself as a whole. 

 

In addition, the standards of beauty impose a burden on women that may keep them from reaching their full potential. The constant pursuit of an elusive standard distracts women from opportunities to pursue passions, careers, and other fulfilling experiences. Yet, despite grappling with dissatisfaction, women have demonstrated remarkable resilience, still finding ways to contribute their talents to society. For example, Emma Watson struggled with low self-esteem yet still contributed her talents to the industries. Though Emma “may be the picture of female empowerment and maturity at this point in her life,” she remarks candidly: “Comparing myself to how I look, when I've gone through all of that makeup and styling, in my normal life is . . . just . . . I can't live up to it,” proving the capacity of women’s resilience (Lindig, 2016). And, if you needed another reason to admire her, that should do the trick.

 

It is imperative that society collectively strive for a better future by alleviating this unnecessary weight women carry on their shoulders. By empowering women to embrace their authentic selves and supporting their endeavors free from the constraints of unrealistic standards, we can not only uplift women but improve society as a whole. Books like The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf and Body Positive Power by Megan Jane Crabbe, to name a few, have already started to push us in this positive direction. Perhaps, as individuals today, we can take leaps of faith by opening up to the media about our true selves as a means of dismantling the pervasive myths and misconceptions surrounding beauty. Through our collective efforts to challenge the norms and celebrate diversity, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate world where every individual is valued for who they truly are. Then, all will be prettier.