She's All That, The Breakfast Club, And Pretty In Pink

In our society you're either smart or you're good looking, but you cannot be both. It happens to be a common stereotype when judging a person’s look. When meeting a person for the first time one usually assumes by the way they physically look on the outside determines who they really are as a person. For example, the typical high school teen movies such as: A Cinderella Story, She’s All That, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. These movies all share a common portrayal of a good looking character who are popular and athletic, and another character who is considered less popular and nerdy because they are not as attractive. In the end the least attractive person tries to change their looks just to get noticed by the popular character and …show more content…
These movies show society that looks are more important because one is being judged based on their looks and will get categorized from it. The judgment and standards of physical attractiveness takes a toll on women because of the psychological effects one experiences such as insecurity, shallowness, and being self absorbed. The media and social media has set standards of what beauty is for many decades. From the gossip sites, movies, books, and social outlets many voice opinions of true beauty with the help of celebrities. When watching TV or reading through social media websites we are shown what beauty is in women by looking at their body parts. The image of being thin but also curvy in certain areas is constantly emphasized of that what beauty really is. That image has lead to women of all ages to become insecure of themselves resulting in low self-esteem. Women can’t escape …show more content…
But ask yourself, what factors create a person to become shallow based on their beauty? As a society we are more likely to be nice and willing to invest our time on a person who is beautiful. Studies show, “that people known (or supposed) to be physically attractive are invested by others with a host of desirable characteristics, such as warmth, poise, sensitivity, kindness, sincerity and the potential for social, marital and occupational success.”(Brody). So does society physical attractiveness standards cause one to be shallow? Dale Archer M. D form Psychologytoday.com explains the cycle being seen in beautiful women and how they are more likely to receive praise and power based on their looks. Archer states “The beautiful woman, constantly fawned upon, catered to, approached and presented with numerous options starts to see this as the norm. This sets up a powerful self image and expectations for the best. She starts expecting others to fawn, and expects things to be handed to her on a silver platter -- a princess syndrome, of sorts. She is the center of attention, and everyone else is of little importance. The power of positive thinking at work.”(Archer) As a society we are showing that the better you look the better your life will be, because the ones who do meet the physical standards are given a power that makes them believe they are entitled to more and better things. This power can hurt a