Examining Beauty One Culture at a Time

1
Examining Beauty One Culture at a Time A
multimedia presentation by Christopher Behrens,
Maggie Donnelly, and Ryne Tate
2
Beauty
Beauty, a subjective view, can be found by
members of one culture in the length of hair, or
by another culture in the tone of skin. Beauty
itself is not a definition but a perspective.
Those who seek beauty will discover it to be a
definition all their own. Three cultures were
closely examined, and their definitions were all
different.
Though we travel the world over to find the
beautiful,  we must carry it with us or we find
it not. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
3

• African American Culture in the Pre-Civil Rights
  Era

4
Conditions
In a time of unequal rights and an obvious
segregation the African Americans of the United
States altered the cultural perception of beauty
from that of their heritage toward a more
submissive look. Although it pertained to
beauty, the approval and respect seeking behavior
of African Americans was not uncommon. Most
African Americans sought acceptance in their
communities.
5
A New Definition of Beauty

• Straighter Hair
• Lighter Skin
• Thinner Lips
• Smaller Noses
• European Aesthetic Ideals

6
Reasons
African Americans were concerned with beauty and
their presentation because it was disrespectful
in white culture for them not to make an
effort. For the sake of job mobility and
acceptance in the dominating white culture of the
time, African Americans sought out a new version
of ideals in beauty. Those African Americans who
would mimic the white view of beauty would get
better jobs and reach higher up the social
ladder. In seeking out acceptance from the
superior culture many African Americans began
to display self-hatred. Only two types of
characters were represented by African Americans
on television - 1. A domestic servant. - 2. A
sassy source of comedic relief.
7
Romanian Culture
8
Conditions
In Romanian culture there is an emphasis on
appearance and beauty in a social perspective.
Looking beautiful symbolizes self-respect and
most everyone in the society is aware of this.
Although, its affect on any given group is
different. Beauty is more important for women
than men, men already have respect regardless of
appearance. Older women seek out hair dressing,
better hygiene, and cosmetics while younger women
emphasize these as well as styled clothing,
exercise and being thin.
9
Definition of Beauty

• Cosmetic Treatment
• Make-up
• Exercise (aerobics)
• Hygiene
• Clean Nails
• Clean Hair
• Styled Dresses

10
Reasons
In Romanian culture beauty is important because
it aids in gaining recognition. Beauty is
important because it pleases the partner. Beauty
serves personal well-being, social well being,
and companionship. Beauty stimulates social
mobility. An emphasis is present on the
importance of marriage and family, two things
that are aided by being attractive.
11
Todays Youth and their view of beauty.
12

• What does the perfect man or woman look like?

13
(No Transcript)
14
How does the perfect man or woman dress and
present themselves?
15
(No Transcript)
16
Definition of Beauty

• Facial Features
• Proportional Anatomy
• Casual Clothing
• Hygiene
• Reserved Appearance
• Shorter Heights
• Not over-weight

17
Reaction
It was apparent in interviewing the student body
that no one persons definition of beauty was
completely the same as another. The surprising
similarity between most all of the students who
were asked, was that a casual yet classy
representation of the self was emphasized.
Formal, flashy, and form fitting clothing was not
nearly as preferred as a down to Earth
appearance.
18
Reasons
The student body seeks out partners with
attractive characteristics that in turn the
partner will not flaunt in public to attract
others. Most all individuals had different
answers because although todays society looks at
a lot of sources that show beauty, these sources
are so diverse in displaying what is beautiful by
todays standards that the viewer (the
individual) may select an eclectic mixture of
their own definition of beauty.
19
Comparisons
The African American and Romanian cultures put a
large emphasis on social and job mobility, they
also seek acceptance and are seeking a near
universal (in their culture) definition of
beauty. All three cultures view outward
appearance and self-representation as key when it
comes to finding a mate. To look beautiful is to
display self-respect. The current American
youth culture differs in its plethora of
aesthetic ideals, it completely lacks a universal
set of guidelines for what is beautiful.
20
Conclusions
Despite culture, time, and location, Beauty is
important to society. Social well-being, even
simply finding a significant other, is dependent
on an outward showing of beauty. Whatever their
race, class or ethnicity, most women learn to
dislike their appearance and place a high premium
on the cultural ideals of beauty. Underlying this
concern is a strong cultural imperative for women
to measure their value with physical
attractiveness. The above quote was found on
an online text book, we believe it summarizes a
self-fulfilling prophecy among women and even men
of todays society. It sets up a perpetual cycle
of self-doubt, self-change, and a lack of
self-worth that in turn gives a false sense of
self-respect.
21
Works Cited
Aint I a Beauty Queen?  Black Women, Beauty, and
the Politics of Race by Maxine Leeds Craig,
Oxford University Press, New York, 2002. 
http//www.beststart.org/resources/bdy_img/BIrepo
rt/Bodyimage4a.html http//www.anthrobase.com/Txt/
S/Svendsen_M_N_01.htm Personal Interviews
conducted by ourselves Kelsey
Cole. Images http//www.jhu.edu/gazette/2000/jan
3100/images/31page5c.gif http//www.rophoenix.ro/a
lexandra/index.html http//www.jurgita.com/images_
new/models/F/portfolio/w448xh478/Diana-Banya-18941
-1.jpg Special Thanks to Kelsey Cole for aiding
in the interview process.