Apparently, the next big youtube trend has begun, and it’s
called “Pretty or Ugly.” According to a buzzfeed article (http://www.buzzfeed.com/tabathaleggett/theres-a-youtube-trend-called-pretty-or-ugly),
a youtube search of “Am I pretty or ugly?” will yield almost 600,000 results.
This videos feature young girls between the ages of 9 and 14, who invite anyone
on the internet who wishes to critique their appearance. I guess with the value
that our society places on physical beauty, this really shouldn’t be all that
surprising. Throughout their entire lives girls are bombarded with images and
standards of what it means to be “beautiful.” The really disturbing part about
this trend can be found in the comments. The majority of them don’t come from
adolescents, but from older guys. They range from sexually aggressive to
downright nasty and insulting. As if that’s not bad enough, there are others
who are commenting on these videos who are trying to be genuinely helpful by
saying things such as, “Well, your forehead is too big, but get some bangs and
you’ll be fine!” Like I said, as horrible as it is that these young women feel
the need to put themselves out there like that, this is the kind of society
that we’ve created- we send girls such mixed messages about the concept of
beauty that it should be no wonder that they feel confusion and the need to
seek public affirmation.
It's disturbing to think about older guys commenting on young girls' bodies! Yuck.. I also don't understand what the point is when someone posts a nasty comment. That picture doesn't affect them nor anyone else except the one who posted it, so why say something negative about it? Why intentionally put someone down just because it's "funny" for others or "cool" to do?
ReplyDeleteIt is also pretty sad how girls this young are seeking critique on their bodies. Ten-year-old girls should not be worried about their bodies! instead, they should be focusing on school and playing in my opinion. That's too young of an age to be worried about your body.
In fact, it is sad that any woman of any age is worried about their bodies. Generally, many of us worry that we do not look like society's ideal woman, and that really can get to us; so much so that many girls often turn to over-exercising and fasting/under-eating. This is not the healthy, happy way to live. People need to realize that this seriously affects girls and women and they need to stop.
This is really disturbing to me that these young girls need to validate their bodies. Your body is your body and if you want to change it that's your choice, but these girls aren't making these choices as informed adults but instead are young and easily influenced, letting society, mostly old men, tell them what they should look like and what they deserve if they don't look like that is nothing but cruelty and rejection. The idea that as women we must fixate on our bodies and our outward representation just makes it harder to focus and find value on inner qualities.
ReplyDeleteThis is not right, how can someone tell you that you are either pretty or ugly. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. When women begin to see this life will go easier for them.
ReplyDeleteI think the worst part of the whole articl was watching that girl saying she didnt care about other people's opinions and knowing that the only reason that she was posting this video was because she did.
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