The Differences Between European and American Beauty Standards
Beauty is a word most people have used at some point to describe what they like in themselves or others. “Beauty” is also commonly defined as a subjective quality of things which makes these things pleasant to see. These things include sunsets, landscapes, art and humans. Beauty, along with beauty, is probably the most important topic of aesthetics, among the major branches of psychology.
Modern technology has also made possible the creation of beauty products of all kinds, using every conceivable technique and ingredient. The beauty industry is an international business, employing hundreds of thousands of people in dozens of countries. Many large multinational corporations are involved in the manufacturing of beauty products, such as cosmetics, nail care, skin-care and hair-care products.
The beauty industry has a big stake in promoting the idea of beauty. A lot of money is spent advertising on television and in magazines to make the public more aware of beauty and its various aspects. A number of beauty products have become almost necessary for everyday life, including toothpaste and mouthwash. The largest advertising firms, in the US, are Ciba Vision, Wennox and Gillette, and their subsidiary Nail Techno, Inc.
The concept of beauty, as understood by the general public, includes both physical beauty and a pleasing appearance. Beauty is not limited to human beauty. Animals are considered beautiful as well. Dolphins in the Ocean Adventure Park in Brazil are considered beautiful, and so are certain bird species, such as flamingos. Dolphins do not necessarily satisfy the aesthetic needs of human beings; they are, however, adorable and entertaining. Birds do not necessarily meet the aesthetic needs of human beings, but they are entertaining and look good.
American society places a high importance on physical beauty, which is why American women have long held the title of “fairytale princess”. Many think that the definition of beauty needs to change with the changing times, but there is no consensus on what beauty really is. Some people argue that beauty standards need to be flexible to accommodate changes in culture and time, and that beauty ideals need to be universal. Some cultural definitions of beauty are considered to be more valuable than others. For example, Asian beauty standards are considered to be less demanding than European beauty standards, although these same standards are thought to be very beautiful by many Europeans. What exactly constitutes beauty is up for debate.
What is clear is that beauty is more than just a physical trait. It is also an attitude, a social standard, and an individual belief system. American women may hold eurocentric beauty ideals, but at the same time they will tend to value their own beauty and likeness over that of other women. European women often place importance on being polite and taking care of, while many American women place importance on having a good job and earning as much money as possible.