American beauty standards have long been under discussion as society is constantly exposed to images of what is regarded to be beautiful through social media and ads. It can be extremely stressful to live up to these beauty standards, resulting at times in the lowering one’s self-worth.

The idea of thinness, for instance, is one of America’s most recognized beauty standards. For many years, being thin has been marketed as the ideal body type for women. In reality, a lot of well-known actresses and fashion models are renowned for having incredibly small frames. This has meant that diet and weight loss have become cultural obsessions, at the price of the physical and mental health for some. This beauty standard has led in some cases to ED’s (eating disorders), notoriously adversely impacting the health of many teen girls.

There has been a trend recently to support body positivity and embrace various body shapes. Nowadays, a lot of influencers and celebrities promote self-acceptance and love, regardless of size or form. Promoting inclusivity and diversity in the fashion and beauty industry has been made easier thanks to this movement.

Clear, perfect skin is another American beauty standard. As such, the skincare sector is flourishing, with various products targeted at having flawless skin. The emphasis on flawless skin, however, can sometimes lead to unattainable beauty standards and lead some to feel self-conscious about their flaws. Many young girls who struggle with skin image are affected by this beauty standard. Acne and non-perfect skin should be normalized because it is indeed normal for young girls and boys to experience hormonal breakouts and not have flawless skin. Some people are blessed with the genetics of perfect skin, but those who are not should be able to feel comfortable and confident in their skin.

The pressure to meet certain beauty standards might have negative repercussions. A fixation with beauty and appearance can lead to problems such as eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and low self-esteem. Therefore, recognizing that beauty comes in different forms as well as celebrating diversity over conformity is crucial.

American standards of beauty are constantly changing. The growing emphasis on body positivity and self-love is a positive start in the right direction even though there is still a long way to go. We can build a more welcoming society where everyone feels respected and beautiful in their own skin by embracing all body shapes and promoting diversity to make young people and future generations feel confident.