Makeup As A Social Norm Essay

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The social norm that I violated was the idea of only women wearing makeup. This norm acts as social control because it creates an expectation that women must be perfect and look perfect at all times to fit men’s likings. It is also a distinguisher between birth genders, as makeup adds a “feminine” look to the wearer. To violate this normal I will wear makeup on my face during the school day. I expected to receive a variety of reactions anywhere from hostility and uncomfortability to acceptance and respect. But I had predicted the major reaction would be discomfort. As previously stated the place where this took place was South Western High School during a school day. I observed the reactions of students as well as teachers as I walked through …show more content…

But I increasingly grew more confident as the day went on. I felt the way I did at first because I was fearful for the way people would perceive me for wearing the makeup and of the conclusions that they would draw about me. But as I discovered people who supported me I began to feel more confident in the position I was in. It certainly helped me relate to the struggles and ridicule others must endure for simply being themselves, struggles much more intense and complex than simply wearing makeup to gain some extra credit points. This was truly a life changing experience and one that I will hopefully never forget. People did react as I had hypothesized, some much more extreme than I would have ever imagined. Many were uncomfortable and confused, but some become hostile and disgusted. This was a reaction I didn’t expect to receive. It was “difficult” at times to see how a simple layer of makeup could completely alter people’s opinions of me. It was hard to realize that something so minute and pointless could cause rage and animosity. It made it very difficult to imagine the struggles other deal with daily. This assignment helped me to realize how ingrained norms are in our society. These norms are so important to follow for people that it causes them to lash out at those who defy them. Norms are a very powerful force many people find

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