Explanatory Essay

As I have grown older, I have found myself wondering more and more why it seems beauty in advertising has to appear so perfect. As Jean Kilbourne said, “The average American is accustomed to blue-eyed blondes seductively touting a variety of products…” I am one of those Americans, but I can’t help but wonder why they always look perfect. Skinny, tall, blonde women who look almost otherworldly. As I watch commercials, or when I’m out driving and take a look at billboards, I can’t help but notice how incredible many models look. The same holds true for men. You will most likely find someone who is tall, very good looking, and usually in great shape.

While it isn’t awful, I can’t help but wonder why they must look perfect. What is wrong with women who are a little chubbier, a little shorter, or don’t look like something straight from the runway? Or what is wrong with a man who is bald, who lacks a six pack, or is even of a different race. Basically, I’m curious as to who determines what beauty is. It is tough to figure out, as everyone has a different perception of what beauty is. But it is important to figure out because it seems unfair that they are allowed to sit back and pick and choose what beautiful is.

Jean Kilbourne is the author of my first source. Her article, “Beauty...and the Beast of Advertising,” is a source that analyzes the effects teenagers being the primary targets of many advertisements, and how teens react to the advertisements. This source seems to be a very strong starting point because her article also takes a look at beauty as well. It looks at who is sitting back in an office and choosing what beauty is, along with what is being represented by the advertisement.

Kilbourne begins her article with expl...

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...rceived as being more attractive also appear more competent and successful.” It’s incredible just how much the power of beauty holds over people. The more beautiful you are, the more confidence you have. So, when society has such high standards of beauty, you have many more people feeling incredibly bad about themselves. My first two sources compare very well in the fact that they talk about how beauty is incredibly powerful, and can almost determine how one lives out their life.

The articles have helped me greatly. I am enjoying learning about this, but still would like to find more articles about different ethnic groups portrayals. Kilbourne’s article focused primarily on women and teenagers, but I hope to find something related to how, say, African Americans process beauty, or how Muslims would see something. That is what I hope to find for a next source.