Reflection 3: I Feel Pretty—On Good Looks and American Society

 

As Americans, we are all told that "beauty is only skin deep," "don't judge a book by its cover," "love is blind," and "real beauty lies is on the inside." We are told that, but the realities of our culture tell quite a different story. Beauty, as it turns out, is not only celebrated in our society, but rewarded. Good looks can land a person preferential treatment everywhere from restaurants to court. (It's almost as if beautiful people are allowed to live in a bubble.) What do you feel are the benefits of being attractive in American society? Do you believe good looking people are treated more favorably than the general population? And what roles do race and social class play? Finally, what, if any, downsides are there to being beautiful in America?  

Include two of the following texts in your discussion:

• "Do Prettier People Get More Job Offers?" (Psychology Today)
• "How Much is Being Attractive Worth?" (Smithsonian)
• "The Risks of Looking Too Pretty in the Workplace" (Psychology Today)" 
• "Pretty People Really Do Have it Better" (Time)
• "How White Supremacy and Capitalism Influence Beauty Standards" (Teen Vogue)
  

Requirements:

• MLA Style, including parenthetical citations and works cited
• ≈500 words

Due: Fri 11.22 (via Canvas)