In last week's lookism blog post, I passed on six scientifically proven tips on how men can be more physically attractive to women. In the interest of fair play, now we have six for women – all based on scientific studies presented by a respected source. Lookism originally started as men ogling women.Because of the importance of marriage to women historically, many young women have tried to figure outover the ages what makes them attractive to men. Science has recently generated many studies … [Read more...]
Lookism: what do women like in men?
The languid days of summer are upon us in America. That means there's more chance that we men will be socializing with women. Heck, some of us will even be stripping down to bathing suits on beaches.Lookism seems a natural tendency in males.Many young men try to figure out what makes them more attractive to women. A variety of studies have looked at the parts of the body women zero in on as "attractive." Five features are singled out in this videoAs the so-called science of attraction marches … [Read more...]
Less science behind lookism’s symmetry & ratios?
There may be less science to justify lookism than suggested by many studies in the past. Here's the truth about common beauty myths according to the Wall Street Journal.Apparently science produces lots of research about beauty, from ideal waist-to-hip ratio to symmetry in faces, but the conclusions are seldom as simple as they seemThe author of the just-published Face Value: The Hidden Ways Beauty Shapes Women’s Lives,” Autumn Whitefield-Madrano wrote this piece for the WSJ in mid-June:"If … [Read more...]
“Lookism” and dishonesty about ugliness.
In my last blog, I wrote about the kids edition of "Ugly." Today, I'm writing about the adult version that brings up a complicated lookism issue: can we be butt-ugly honest about the role of looks in society?Ugly & Lookism.First, let's hear from the "subject" of this inquiry, Robert Hoge.To hear Hoge tell it, he was born with a giant tumor on his forehead, severely distorted facial features, and legs that were twisted and almost useless. His mother refused to look at him when he was born, … [Read more...]
Lookism couldn’t defeat the author of “Ugly.”
Googled for books with "ugly" in their title the other day. Here's what I found. Go here for blurbs about some of the "ugly" books. (Who said you can't judge a book by its cover?)Besides the Ugly Face Booth and Confessions of an Ugly Girl, a book simply called Ugly caught my eye.The author, an Australian, had a large tumor on his face at birth and deformed legs. At first, his own mother abandoned him in the hospital, wishing he would die. The book is about Robert Hoge's life growing up … [Read more...]
Lookism in online dating? Likely.
This exchange between an unhappy online-dating fellow and an advice columnist is telling. It reveals much about lookism and modern life, especially in and around Manchester, England where the Guardian is based. During two sabbaticals there, I learned how vibrant the youth and dating culture is in Manchester. Oasis and many other pop music groups sprang from the city in northern England that boasts the most college students of any city in England.Lookism advice for the lovelorn?Dear Abby, I mean, … [Read more...]
Lookism’s ugly side & how we can counter it.
As some who has taught sociology, a piece by sociologist Heather Laine Talley caught my eye the other day. I especially noticed her comment that lookism, like sexism and other -isms, is often unconscious and taken for granted. So true. Our society may've gone overboard around unconscious, so-called "white privilege" in discussions about the big -ism of our day, racism. But it is worth examining the little-mentioned issues of lookism and ableism, especially as they relate to people with … [Read more...]