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11: Stratification and Attractiveness

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    231769

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    In this module, we will explore attractiveness —a neutral, inclusive term that transcends gender binaries—and the advantages and drawbacks of conforming (or not) to cultural ideals of beauty. When specifically addressing women, we will use terms like pretty and beauty, reflecting their historical and societal associations.

    Why focus on women’s beauty?

    Women’s appearance has been scrutinized far more than that of men or gender non-conforming individuals—a trend rooted in historical, cultural, and religious traditions. For example, medieval European art linked women’s beauty with moral virtue, while fairness of skin signified nobility and spiritual purity. Meanwhile, Western colonialism and capitalism spread narrow ideals—fair skin, slim figures—as global standards.

    Through assigned readings, you’ll encounter key concepts:

    • Beauty Bias– Discrimination based on appearance; the “what is beautiful is good” effect
    • Pretty Privilege– The unearned benefits that come with fitting conventional beauty norms
    • Beauty Sick– The psychological harm resulting from chasing unrealistic beauty standards (e.g., disordered eating and self-esteem issues)

    These frameworks, developed by scholars across disciplines, all highlight how society rewards those who align with aesthetic ideals. We’ll also examine how traditional gender norms, capitalist economics, and media representation function as systemic gears that reproduce—and often intensify—these inequities .

    Unshrinking: How to Face Fatphobia | by ...


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