Trianon Magazine

by Ola

We all know at least one person in our lives who is blessed with pretty privilege, and we all have different emotions and reactions towards that person, whether the emotions are negative like envy, jealousy, and hatred or the emotions are positive like joy, gratitude and even love. As for reactions, we could be mesmerized or even unimpressed by this privilege they have. Today I will be talking exactly about that, let us explore how pretty privilege can impact women’s life whether it is in a positive way or a negative way.

What is pretty privilege?

First and foremost, we need to know what exactly is pretty privilege. It refers to the social and systemic advantages that individuals perceived as physically attractive receive due to societal beauty standards. It operates on the principle that people who meet conventional standards of beauty are often treated more favorably in various aspects of life, even in situations where appearance should not be a determining factor. For example, attractive individuals may find it easier to build social connections, are often assumed to possess traits, and may even receive leniency in judgement. In fact, studies have shown that people deemed attractive are often treated better in professional settings, social environments, and even the justice system.

Ways on how pretty privilege affect women’s life

As women, we tend to have a strong desire to feel wanted and loved, and when we lack this sense of validation, we might feel down or even depressed.

How it negatively affects us

Let us start by how it negatively affects us. when it comes to conventionally attractive women this is how it can negatively affect them:

• Objectification : Conventionally attractive women may be seen as objects of desire rather than breathing human beings with feelings. This can have an impact on both friendships and romantic relationships, as they are being seen for their body and not for their actual selves and personality- resulting in many failed relationships and friendships.

• Underestimation of abilities: Their achievements, skills, and intelligence may be underestimated by the public, this is because society most likely have the mentality that good looking women have nothing to offer other than their physical appearance.

• Unrealistic expecations: Society may impose high expectations on attractive women to always look well kept and flawless, this is why you might find some women feeling extra stressed to maintain their physical appearance due to the pressure society has put on them to look perfect all the time.

• Jealousy and bullying: Attractive women can become a target for jealous insecure individuals making them also a target for bullies just because of their looks. this actions comes particularly from those who may perceive them as competition or a “danger” to their self-esteem. People will hate them without even knowing them.

As for the downsides of pretty privilege when it comes to unattractive women are:

• Dehumanization: Unattractive women may be dismissed, ignored and disrespected, reinforcing the idea that their worth is tied solely to their physical appearance. They may be subjected to cruel stereotypes as bitter or undesirable, further marginalizing them. This can damage a women’s mental health causing anxiety, depression and even low self-esteem issues.

• Unfair treatment: Society may treat them with little to no respect. Unattractive women get treated poorly by society, from getting treated like they have no feelings, to being completely dismissed as if they do not exist. They are always seen and judged for their looks without giving them any chance of consideration for their character and personality. unfair treatment unfortunately comes from both women and men who value looks more than anything else.

• Profesional disadvantages: While it is unfortunate but true, physical appearance can influence hiring decisions. Unattractive women are sadly a victim to this. The employment decisions are more favorable towards attractive women than those who are unattractive. It is true that some jobs requires you to be conventionally attractive to be hired, like modeling for example, but other jobs have nothing to do with looks an more with professionalism. Still, women are picked for their physical appearance rather than there professionalism in the career they are pursuing.

• Self-Esteem issues: With all of this unfair treatment unattractive women receive, unfortunately comes a lot of self-esteem issues and so much self hatred. It is the feeling of being unworthy of love, undesired, and hated for something you have no control over. It is the feeling of always thinking to yourself “Why couldn’t I just be born prettier”. it completely destroys someone’s mental health. All because of a society that favorites attractive individuals.

Despite the challenges mentioned, there are also several positive aspects worth exploring

As a good looking women, you will experience a lot of advantages and it will help you a lot in life. Let’s explore those advantages, shall we?

• Increased self-confidence: Of course, with good looks comes a lot of confidence. I mean who wouldn’t feel confident when they are being praised day and night for their looks? Or when they walk past a mirror they see a reflection of flawlessness and beauty. All of this highly contribute to their self-love and self-appreciation.

• Enhanced credibilit in certain roles: Of course, with good looks comes a lot of confidence. I mean who wouldn’t feel confident when they are being complimented day and night for their looks? Or when they walk past a mirror they see a reflection of flawlessness and beauty? All of this highly contribute to their self-love and self-appreciation.

• Positive first impressions: The human brain is designed to be gravitated towards those who are physically appealing to look at. People might assume that your personality is just as pretty as your face, therefore, you might find people approaching you often whether it is for a relationship, a friendship or something as simple as compliment. People’s brains naturally associate attractiveness with other positive traits.

• Day-to-day perks: From receiving fast service, to people allowing to skip ahead in line, good looking women seem to be getting a special treatment from society. People generally respect them more and treat them with gentleness. Whenever they talk, a whole room could go silent to hear what they have to say. In addition to the nice gestures they may receive from complete strangers like; holding the door open for them a gesture as simple as strangers smiling at them randomly.

Now that we discussed the advantages and positive effects attractive women receive, let us discuss the advantages that conventionally unattractive women receive:

• Positive traits: Since unattractive women or women who think of themselves as unattractive grew without the privilege attractive women acquire, they had to focus on other good qualities that could benefit them if anything more than their looks, and some examples to that is developing a great personality, exploring new hobbies, being more academically occupied and career focused. This is because they had to find a way to love themselves far from self-love being associated with looks only.

• Stronger resilience: When your less dependent about physical appearance, it can build inner confidence, independence, and emotional strength overall. When external validation is less frequent, women learn to find strength from within. They develop a solid sense of self-worth that is not tied to physical attributes.

• Avoiding stereotypes: As we’ve discussed before that attractive women may be seen as objects and may face stereotypes like being seen as less intelligent, Unattractive women get the benefit of the doubt and may bypass these judgments therefore be taken more seriously. This is because society is sure they have something to offer other than looks.

• Genuine relationships: Romantic relationships may be built more on genuine love and appreciation, therefore more trust is lingering in the relationship. When appearance is not the main focus, relationships are more likely to be based on shared values, personality or mutual respect. this provides a sense of authenticity and makes it easier to be able to trust the other person’s intentions.