Summary Of Standards Of Beauty Are Determined By Evolutionary Biology

Why do we view certain things as beautiful? According to Glenn Wilson “standards of beauty cannot be just cultural artifacts biological factors (evolved instincts) must be at play.” In his article “Standards of Beauty Are Determined by Evolutionary Biology”, he writes about how we as humans have evolved in order to attract mates. He wrote that sex is one of mankind’s most primitive needs. In order to find a partner Wilson believes humans look the way they do because of the primitive need to find a partner. Another point made by Wilson in his article is that throughout time humans have adapted and evolved features that the opposite sex may find appealing. Wilson believes that there is a difference between beauty and sex appeal. Also sex appeal …show more content…
She believes that it is customary for western societies to bemoan the appealing forms of violence girls and women participate in to be “beautiful”. These forms often include: starvation, vomiting, diet pills, body modification surgery, and botoxing at a very young age. She believes that the west criticizes the southern hemisphere for its famine victims, but fails to see the insanely dangerous voluntary food practices ongoing in their own countries. The west has not noticed how they have become oblivious to the violence taking place by women to their own bodies. Beauty is no longer in the eye of the beholder. The definition of beauty has been narrowed down and being judged on how well women can mold herself to meet today’s aesthetics. She believes the violence is caused by the fact that from a young age women learn to look at themselves to make sure they look attractive enough during whatever activity they may be involved in. She writes on how this demand can produce severe anguish, self-alienation, eating problems, body distortions and disturbing mental health issues. The biggest reason this violence has not stopped is because of the riches that come with it. It is the engine which feeds the tyrannical hold that these beauty industries have on women. Diet companies, the beauty industry, cosmetic …show more content…
I believe that what really makes us beautiful is something as simple as a primitive thought that society keeps advertising. Throughout history beauty has changed but has kept some iconic body features. Also women have always been attracted to mens’ goals and successes. In the days when kings ruled, women dreamed of the kings because of their power and success. Today women dream over men who have a goal in mind and are educated. After all knowledge is power. Beauty is something that Wilson believes that we humans define to for biological reasons. Humans evolve new features throughout time in order to survive. Reproducing is a way to survive and keep the population going. So it only makes sense that humans evolve beauty features to attract mates. Humans are animals and have a primitive need to mate. Human evolution is driven by sexual selection just as much as it is by natural selection. That’s why everyone wants to be beautiful. On the other side we have Ms.Orbach who believes that because advertisements and commercials drilling their definition of beauty into our heads we have stripped of our own opinions. She believes that too much harm has been caused by women self-harming themselves to achieve perfection in the industries eyes. The definition of beauty should be left up to the individual and not some big shot beauty industry which thrives on insecure women for their financial growth. The west