Module 6
Writing assignment:
Respond to the following prompts in 300+ words, with reference to the assigned Module
6 texts:
1. Explain how beauty is a social construct.
2. Discuss the ways in which power relations are reflected and reinforced in beauty
norms (for example, how a focus on beauty for women serves to maintain women’s
subordinate status).
3. Provide an example from your own experiences or observations of the ways that
beauty norms affect men and women differently.
Beauty is like a made-up idea created by society. It is a deeply ingrained social
construct, shaped by cultural, historical, and societal influences. What is considered
beautiful is not always the same for everyone. Beauty changes and evolves over time
and in different places. Beauty is something people decide on together and is an idea
that is created by our society. In "The Beauty Myth," Wolf argues that beauty acts as a
currency system, similar to the gold standard, and is tied to politics and power
dynamics. These beauty standards are not the exact same everywhere but vary across
cultures and the different eras. Beauty norms can make some people more powerful
while also putting others down. For example women including myself feel like they have
to look a certain way to fit society's idea of beauty. Women making sure they meet the
beauty standards leads them to lacking focus on the more important things such as
school and working etc. In my own life I've seen how beauty rules affect women and
men differently. For example when women go to work or like myself go to school we
may feel pressured that we have to dress nicely or wear makeup to look a certain way.
For men on the other hand they usually don't face or experience the same kind of
pressure and they could get away with just looking casual.
