Let's start with this bold claim: Feminism is not about turning societal norms on their head just to be rebellious, nor is it about dissolving standards like beauty and grace. Florence Given, the bold figure behind the book "Women Don't Owe You Pretty", landed her feminist manifesto in June 2020 and, while the title implies that women are free from society's beauty obligations, it's time to question if escape from these expectations is really what liberation looks like.
Given wrote this book under the premise that women should not conform to beauty standards to win approval from men or society at large. Released in the bustling metropolis of London, she aimed to strike a chord with modern feminists. But here's a thought to chew on: Do we really want to live in a world where elegance, effort, and sophistication are shunned for raw abandonment of standards?
Consider the social contract—yes, it's a talking point usually reserved for legal and political debates, but it applies here too. We all adhere to certain expectations that keep society functioning smoothly. For example, you wear business attire in an office to communicate professionalism. Now apply that to beauty. We've all known elegance in personality and looks has distinguished individual achievements. The simple act of putting effort into how you present yourself speaks volumes about your esteem and respect for those around you.
Let’s look at history. Through centuries, the reverence for allure and appeal has been evident from Cleopatra's reign to Hollywood glamour. So why the urgency to disrupt this enduring inclination? Embracing beauty doesn’t mean surrendering to patriarchal control; rather, it can be a powerful tool wielded by women who understand and appreciate its influence.
The attempt to drive women away from personal grooming by branding it as submission is not empowerment, but a disservice to femininity. What is it about painted lips and coiffed hair that sends some modern-day feminists into a tailspin? Why should women reject adornment that can enhance confidence and presentation? Anyone who claims that looking good means appealing to male desire misses the broader picture altogether.
Ask yourself, in a world that praises mediocrity, why is there so much rancor against striving to look one's best? Florence Given argues that personal aesthetics should be distinctive and undefined by external pressures, but this rhetoric dangerously eradicates the appreciation of established beauty norms that have enhanced society's cultural fabric.
The dialogue’s missing consideration is maturity. Women don't owe prettiness, perhaps. But, maybe as part of grown-up life, they owe society a respectful demeanor in how they present themselves. After all, it's not about looking pretty; it's about respect, both self and societal. Showing the world you care about your appearance implies you care enough about social interaction and being part of a broader discourse.
In a world where excuses often outweigh excellence, is the avoidance of maintaining a polished look just another escape hatch from personal responsibility? That's the conversation worth having. Not a narrative that discards traditions and norms for the sake of trendy catchphrases.
It's certainly refreshing to see strong opinions challenging conventional dictates, but let's be honest—creating an identity by renouncing beauty protocols in itself establishes another constraint. Choose to embrace the standards not as shackles but as building blocks of an evolving personality capable of facing the world's challenges in style.
Let's criticize the concept of beauty as a social obligation. This simplification implies women are nothing more than objects performing for society’s approval. Yet, women using beauty as a channel for expression exert no obligations, only choices—choices that can, when executed with wisdom, empower their societal stance, rather than diminish it.
As you reflect on the beauty debate, ponder this: a society where standards of refinement and allure are obliterated is not pioneering. Instead, it stagnates growth, inhibiting the thrive of excellency. Let's commemorate beauty's place in heritage and its pivotal role in crafting more nuanced personalities within women, rather than suppressing its significance.