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In chapter three, of the book, The Ways of Seeing, the concept of women being observed by men is introduced to us. In the chapter, Berger talks about the motives for the men and women’s behaviors, including interactions with each other and social status. “One might simplify this by saying men act and women appear. Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at.” (Berger 47). By this simple statement Berger managed to describe the behavior and the drive of women. Behaving and appearing the way they are in the eyes of men due to embellishment of self. Therefore, I spend a lot of time taking care of myself and making sure that I look presentable. The main question that I have is whether or not am I doing it for myself or for someone else? Of course there are times when one goes out on dates or to fancy parties and there is no doubt one tries to look good for other people to showcase one’s beauty and what one’s possess. In answering my main question; it is done for the self. Looking nice makes me feel good, confident and happy. Living up to the beauty ideals provide evidence to Berger’s point about women watching themselves being looked at. It is a reality that it’s pleasing for women to be looked at, and the way one is looked at depends on one’s appearance. Everybody likes to receive adoring smiles, but the process of attraction filtrates those who don’t live up to a person’s idea of beauty. This judgment for most of the part is shaped by the accepted appearance.

Nowadays acceptance of “nakedness” is dependent on social norms. How much nakedness can a woman show in order for her behavior to be a topic of an unpleasant judgmental discussion? For example, it is a fact that models’ careers are constantly being discussed....

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...ne. In my case, I possess a maternal image through the perceptions of my friends. I always got upset about it, because it was not fully true. Of course I will be a wife and a mom one day, but there is more to me than their perception. I sought to steer away from that image and showcase all sides of me. One’s appearance should not propagate an automatic perception, but by who they are internally. Thus, I tried to break away from what people associated me with. Ultimately, the way someone appears and treats oneself is the way that person wants to be treated by men and women. If one dresses up respectable towards oneself, without walking around half naked, that person will find people looking at him/her with gratitude and respect.

Works Cited

Berger, John. “Chapter 3:System and penguin books.” Ways of Seeing. London, UK. British Broadcasting; 1972. 45-64. Print.