diagnosing mary melody
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History
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Feb 20, 2024
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Lookism History
Prior to the coining of the term ‘lookism’ in 1978 by the Washington Post (Roman, J. 2019), in 1867 States like San Francisco began in-acting ordinances known as “ugly laws” (Schweik, S., & Wilson, R., 2019). The nickname “ugly laws” was given to such ordinances in 1975 (Schweik, S., & Wilson, R 2019). These laws outlawed the appearance of people in public who were “diseased, maimed, mutilated, or in any way deformed, so as to be unsightly or disgusting in public” (Chicago City Code 1881) (Schweik, S., &
Wilson, R., 2019). These ordinances essentially sought to target and discriminate categories of the poor, the homeless, vagrants and those with disabilities (Schweik, S., & Wilson, R., 2019). In the 19
th
century many of these laws were prohibited, with Chicago being the last to be repealed in 1974 (Thompson, D. 2011). However, the prohibition of these laws did not quell the practices of discrimination or prejudice towards others based on their appearance or physical attractiveness (Hammer, C., 2017). Lookism first used in the Washington Post in the late 1970s was used in reference to how people were viewing others who were heavier set (Merriam-Webster, n.d. 2023). Today it is seen as devaluing those who are physically undesirable and overvaluing those considered “attractive” (Roman, J., 2019). In our technology dependent and social media obsessed culture, lookism appears to be one of the most prevalent but under recognized isms in our society, the fact is that people deemed attractive receive greater attention, positive acknowledgment in social, vocational, educational, political, and criminal justice systems (Mason, A., 2023). DISCRIMINATION/OPPRESSION
Studies on newborns lend to a possible biological component to lookism finding that infants prefer to look at pretty faces over less attractive ones prior to having picked up many cultural cues about beauty (Dingfelder, S., 2006). This would suggest that the brain inherently has an easier time processing beautiful faces or appearances which sets the stage for social preference for attractive people later in life (Dingfelder, S., 2006). Currently there are no federal laws prohibiting this kind of discrimination. The notion of power, privilege and respect have always been difficult to come by for people not deemed attractive (Mason, A., 2023). Freak shows in the 19
th
and early 20
th
centuries highlight the early and more overt forms of oppression lookism had in our culture, with those deemed unsightly or deformed paraded on display, often involuntary performers exploited by promoters and audiences (Chemers, M., 2023). However, we appear to be bringing back a quieter version in our society with the advent of T.V. shows such as “My 600lbs. Life” capitalizing on obesity and brings back the sideshow mentality and sensationalistic abuse reminiscent of earlier era “freak shows”. Effects of lookism discrimination and oppression can lead to mental health consequences such as disordered eating, anxiety, and depression (Mason, A., 2021). Economists have found that handsome men earn 5% more than less attractive men and attractive women earn 4% more than less attractive women (Adomaitis, et al., 2017). Studies have found that people are even willing to surgically alter their appearance (13% of women and 10% of men) if it meant career advancement or exceling at work ((Adomaitis, et al., 2017).
People and especially those of color are discriminated against based on the texture, appearance, or color of their hair, as well as the color, tone, or texture of their skin (Rhodes, D., 2010). The experience of discrimination and oppression based on appearance breaches on an individual’s rights
and reinforces stereotypes (Adomaitis, et al., 2017).
Systems theory and Lookism
Systems theory looks at the person-in-environment and attends to how the singular and complex systems interact ergo behavior and persons welfare can be negatively impacted by the effects of lookism
(Appleby et al. 2010). Applying a Person-in-Environment assessment would allow a social worker to dissect the systems where lookism is affecting their client and come up with tailored interventions to deal with each (Appleby et al. 2010).
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