Sadje over at Keep it alive posed the following question: “Looking good; Is it vanity or a requirement?
Here’s a link to her post:
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/87325236/posts/4418922091
I do feel that marketing, aimed at women in particular, strives to convince us that our appearance is of the utmost importance. Ads play on our insecurities and also our vanity. We live in an age that is youth obsessed. Marketing gurus urge us to dye that unsightly gray hair; buy this wonder pill to lose that weight; advise us on the best choice in clothing, health products, skin care, etc. etc. ad nauseum. If we believe their strategies then appearance (and not just any appearance but a youthful, attractive appearance) is certainly a requirement to live a “good” and successful life.
Is it vanity to want to look and feel good? Perhaps. But we are judged on appearance and if we want to fit in, be accepted by our peers, or land that dream job then we are required to go along with cultural and societal norms and expectations whether we really want to or not.
I had a coworker once remark, “She keeps her hair long because she’s trying to be a teenager”. In point of fact I keep my hair long because I can no longer style it due to extreme pain in my shoulder. I simply cannot use hair dryers or curling irons or any other styling tool without causing myself agony. I wear it in a pony tail most days, or clip it up. I don’t think my competence at work is dependent on how I wear my hair!
Psychologists are hired by marketing firms to give them insights on how best to play on our insecurities and vanities. algorithms are also employed to ensure capitalist companies make top dollar. Social media is mined to garner further insights into the human mind.
Sigh! Having said all this I do strive to look my best, because, as Sadje pointed out, I feel more confident and feeling good contributes to my over all well being.
Hop on over to Keep it alive to voice your own opinions.