The Beauty Bias: What is Beautiful is “Better” The beauty bias is when physically attractive individuals appear to have an advantage over less attractive individuals thus leading to discrimination and financial suffrage. In this essay, I will draw upon Tony Honore’s view on tort laws and Alan Sobel and Deborah Rhode’s view on the beauty bias. This paper argues that discrimination against those who are unattractive undermines their rights and liberties; individuals should have the right to seek compensation for being discriminated against in a public domain such as the workplace on the basis of appearance. Additionally, racial and sexual discrimination applies equally to discriminatory actions and policies based on physical attractiveness. …show more content…
Not putting legislation on discrimination based on appearance leads to bad societal affects that reinforce harmful, unrealistic beauty standards that is harmful to an individual financially. Take for example African American women, they have a financial burden placed upon them for their hair; in order to meet societies Caucasian standards of beauty, they must spend twice as much on beauty supplies and such to meet them. Afro’s, dreadlocks, cornrows are deemed unprofessional, which results in discrimination against the African American race. Women also suffer financially when they try to meet society’s beauty standards, i.e. dieting, wearing heels, buying makeup, and the amount of time it takes them to get ready compared to a man. As Honore mentions, under tort laws, individuals should have the right to seek compensation when they have been harmed and their rights have been infringed—when discriminated upon the basis of appearance. The tort system seeks to reduce conduct that is seen as detrimental, tort law and criminal law distinguish from other laws by controlling our behavior. Outcome responsibility coined by Honore, is justified on the basis of corrective justice—victims …show more content…
An employer who has clear rules that apply to all employees and ensures that all employees are being judged on their performance—not their appearance, cannot be accused of discriminating or being bias. Furthermore, employees must realize that personal appearance decisions that can be controlled, (tattoos, hair color and piercings) may impact their employment opportunities without any legal objection. Though this may seem like a valid objection, federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of race, sex, religion, nationality, age and disability—these laws apply equally to the beauty bias because bias based on appearance indirectly links to reinforcing the attitudes of the prohibited laws that society is looking to abolish. Skeptics might also argue that victims are not likely to come forward to admit they are unattractive, however, Rhodes would respond to this failed objection and state sexual harassment was legislated against; although victims don’t come forward as often, the law still has an effect on the
Today’s job seeker has tough competition. In the textbook reading “Judging by the Cover” by Bonny Gainley, she argues that job seekers ought to be careful when they make personal choices that initially will affect their chances of entering the workplace. People have a need to be accepted by others just the way they are, but many of us were taught as adolescence that we should not judge a book by its cover, yet people judge others solely on their personal appearances. That goes for businesses as well, “[t]he bottom line is that businesses exist to make money. Whether it seems fair or not, generally employers do care about the personal appearances of the people they hire because those people represent the business to its customers” (5). Maybe
Currently television networks and stations require a set appearance and weight standards for news reporters, newscasters, weather forecaster. Our society looks at the news and weather to see not only the news and weather but the persons. They believe that physical attractiveness and pleasing body image have long been known to have marketplace advantages. Therefore many organizations set appearance standards for their employees, because they think that will project a particular image and as well as a favorable working environment. (Harvey & Allard , 2012, p. 231)
In today’s job market, there are many reasons an individual could be turned down for employment. According to Deborah Rhodes, author of “Why looks are the last bastion of discrimination”, appearance should not be one of them. Rhodes is a law professor at Stanford and holder of numerous titles for her outstanding work in legal matters. She is also the author and co-author of over 250 articles (Directory). In this article, she addresses an issue with profound impact on today’s society. She proposes that appearance discrimination should be included in anti-discrimination laws in addition to what is already accepted and legalized in today’s workplace. While it is a seemingly “silly” concern, it is actually quite valid. There has been many a concern over discrimination. That is, discrimination based on race, color, gender, and others of a similar nature in the work environment.
Many companies are using new techniques to attract modern day society. One of these techniques is revising their hiring practices. Instead of hiring based on intelligence, or skill sets, they desire employees with “the look”. Companies want people that represent their product or brand. In the article, “Going for the Look, But Risking Discrimination” by Steven Greenhouse, the store Abercrombie and Fitch hire people with a “classic American” look. However, there are many problems that can arise with this. Marshall Cohen, a senior industry analyst, claims that companies are forced to do what is necessary. I disagree with this statement. Companies that hire based on looks are risking more they assume.
Wolf, Naomi. The Beauty Myth. How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women. New York: William Morrow, 1991.
.... "The Beauty Industry Promotes Unrealistic Beauty Standards." Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2007. Rpt. in The Culture of Beauty. Ed. Roman Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 4 Mar. 2014.
Many people are stereotyped and discriminated by their appearances. According to Deborah L. Rhodes, in her essay "Why Looks Are the Last Bastion of Discrimination," she stated that "irrelevant physical characteristics reinforces invidious stereotypes and undermines equal-opportunity principles based on merit and performance." Such discrimination is evident in the Hispanic community.
In the essay “What Meets the Eye”, Daniel Akst explains scientific facts about the beauty of men and women matters to people. He argues that attractive individuals receive attention, great social status, marries, and gets paid more on a job. One can disagree with Akst’s argument because anyone with the skills and knowledge, despite the appearance, can gain a decent relationship and can get paid well. Akst looks at beauty as if it can lead individuals to an amazing and successful life, but he is wrong. Nancy Mairs’ and Alice Walker’s views on beauty are explained internally and through self-confidence. Both women’s and Akst’s arguments on beauty share some similarities and differences in many ways, and an
Three employees have finished interviewing college students for summer internships. The employees discuss how one of the candidates was too ugly to work at Allied Products Inc. Then employees begin discussing if discrimination on the basis of looks is unethical or even illegal.
The laws generally support employer dress code and appearance policies, while employers try to be flexible by having employees to present themselves in a way that is consistent with the employer's image (Gross). As long as they do not discriminate on race, color, religion, age, nationality or gender, employers a...
In the case study “If Looks Could Kill”, the hiring process is down to three candidates: Jamal, Tanya, and Darrell. The Hiring committee has to decide which candidate to rule out. All of the committee members agree that this is a difficult decision expect for one. One member of the committee speaks up and says that they think Darrell has to be the one ruled out because of his poor looks. The decision to rule out Darrell based on his looks is the main ethical issue. There are also a few secondary issues that include the student’s reaction to Darrell after his teaching demonstration, the study on physical attractiveness and success, and the question one weather or not physical attractiveness should be a deciding factor on weather or not to hire someone. Below is a chart that includes an analysis of options the hiring committee can make and the people affected by the decision.
3. Racism, sexism and negative stereotypes come at a cost for African American women. They suffer psychological and physical damage from the oppression that they face. Society has placed specific Eurocentric beauty standards for women which cause Black women to feel shame and want to change their weight, hair texture, body shape and skin color. “In a society where the standard of beauty remains
After scouring the internet for books on women and the history, I stumbled upon The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf. I was instantly intrigued by the title as well as ironically enough, the cover of the book. It features a figurine of a woman in her underwear examining herself in a mirror. The image is quite powerful in that the figurine being featured is not that of a skinny woman. She clearly has some curves and shorter hair which is not the preconceived idea of beauty that we already have in engraved into our brains. This bold choice is what ultimately drew me into reading Wolf’s analysis on beauty and its effects on women. Upon making this decision I did some more research to learn about its impact on the literary world. I discovered that the book had been a favorite among women for years. Many of the reviews described it as a must-read for any women surviving in modern day Western society. Throughout the book Wolf argues that the concept of beauty is entirely socially manufactured as an indirect way for the Western world to remain a patriarchal society. “‘Beauty’ is a currency system like the gold standard. Like any economy, it is determined by politics, and in the modern age in the West it is the last, best belief system that keeps male dominance intact” (12). Her basic premises is that as women have gained increased social power and acclaim, the expectation that women succumb to certain standards of physical beauty has increased drastically. “The enthusiasm with which the job market assigned financial value to qualifications from the marriage market proves that the use of the beauty myth is political not sexual: The job market refined the beauty myth as a way to legitimize employment ...
Throughout history, beauty has been seen as a value to humans. Beauty practices start as far back as foot binding and continues up to today with cosmetic surgeries such as liposuction. On every billboard, magazine, and commercial citizens are reminded that they are not as physically attractive as they could be and there is a solutions to their problem. In his analysis of beauty, Kant states that beauty is morality. Despite the fact physical beauty is highly valued in society, it is not the driving factor when it comes to determining morality and making ethical judgments. To support this, I will be introducing Aristotle’s virtue ethics and David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature to demonstrate that beauty is independent of virtue and does not influence morality as it is not considered when discussing morality.
I would like to begin with the fact that women have always been known to dedicate their time to beauty. Those who are devoted to their appearance most often believe that beauty brings power, popularity, and success. Women believe this, because they grow up reading magazines that picture beautiful women in successful environments; not to mention they are popular models and world famous individuals. Beautiful women are no longer just a priority for most advertising, but we have become a walking target for the working class employers. It is documented that better-looking attorneys earn more than others after five years of practice, which was an effect that grew with experience (Biddle, 172). We cannot overlook the fact that it is always the most popular and most beautiful girl who becomes homecoming-queen or prom-queen. While these are possible positive effects of the "beauty myth," the negative results of female devotion to beauty undercut this value. These effects are that it costs a lot of money, it costs a lot of time, and in the long run, it costs a lot of pain.