The Origin of Modern Beauty Standards

What was once a celebration of character, form, and individuality has now become a checklist of narrow expectations; the pressures of fitting into this mould are mounting, especially for the younger generation, and the consequences are deeply concerning.

Media: The Master Sculptor of Perception

Television, advertising, and social media platforms play an enormous role in shaping beauty ideals today. From the early days of film and television, beauty was portrayed in a variety of ways, often influenced by cultural values and cinematic storytelling. However, over time, the emphasis shifted from the strength and character of women to the size and symmetry of their bodies.

Now, young audiences are constantly exposed to images of airbrushed perfection and ultra-thin models—creating a false standard that’s nearly impossible to achieve. The result? A toxic sizing culture that equates worth with weight, and desirability with digits on a scale.

A Contrast in Canvas: Beauty Through the Eyes of Masters

Interestingly, when we turn our gaze to history – particularly the art of old masters – we see a very different ideal of beauty. The women immortalised in classical paintings, often revered as the most beautiful of their time, carried wider pelvic scales, fuller figures, and soft, graceful features. Beauty was found in the balance of form, the softness of curves, and the emotion captured in their expressions.

Even in the early 1900s, television and cinema stars didn’t strictly conform to today’s “zero figure” obsession. Instead, beauty was rooted in presence, personality, and performance. There was room for diversity, and society placed value on a woman’s strength of character as much as her outward appearance.

So, Where Did We Go Wrong?

Somewhere along the way, society took a detour – one that led us into a dangerous landscape. Today, growing children, especially teens, are under constant pressure to shrink themselves – physically and mentally – just to be accepted. The K-Pop industry, while globally influential, must also take responsibility for popularising unattainable body standards, often idolising figures that fall below what is medically considered healthy.

This obsession with the so-called “perfect” body is not without consequences. Reports of hormonal imbalances, eating disorders, and mental health struggles among adolescents are steadily increasing. Teens quietly confess their desire to achieve the “pencil figure” seen on their favourite influencers – not for health, but for the illusion of beauty that society continues to glorify.

Redefining Beauty: A Call to Reflection

The current trend of using clothing size as a metric for health and beauty is deeply flawed. Body Mass Index (BMI), though also imperfect, at least aimed to balance weight with wellness. Today, fashion and media have replaced science with style, perpetuating a facade that has far-reaching psychological consequences.

It’s time we take a step back – back to the age of art, grace, and authenticity. Let us remember a time when a wider body, a healthy glow, and a genuine smile were seen as beautiful. Let us teach our youth that beauty is not measured in inches or likes but in confidence, kindness, and individuality.

WHAT NEXT?

To admire health is natural. To celebrate aesthetics is human. But to reduce beauty to a number or a size is to overlook the very essence of what makes us unique. The origin of modern beauty standards may be rooted in the media, but their future lies in our hands. We must question who decides these standards-and why we ever let them.

Let us honour the past, challenge the present, and shape a future where beauty is once again a reflection of art, soul, and truth.