Mouse rant blog vent mouse.

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

One standard to rule them all

Thinking about beauty standards will always get the mind a-churning. In my earlier post on the subject, Kyria pointed out that men have a wealth standard that they both trade on and are oppressed by like women have a beauty standard. There's a lot of truth to that, but there was a missing piece that I kept mulling over and over in my mind but couldn't quite articulate to myself. Then I read this article in Alternet about a new history of beauty treatments. The article brought up two things that kicked my thinking into gear--Thorstein Veblen's theories of conspicious consumption and the constant changing of the beauty standard.

We always like to talk about The Beauty Standard as if it is one thing that is simple to pinpoint and articulate. Certainly anti-feminist evolutionary "psychologists" love the idea of a constant beauty standard, because it makes it easier for them to argue that their aesthetic and sexual preferences are a hardwired part of men's genetics and not worth examining for political and social reasons that might make them uncomfortable. But Veblen's theory that women function in our society as a way for a man to display his wealth is a useful one, and one that is supported by ever-changing beauty standards that tend to reflect social priorities as much as they do in any ingrained male idea of what Female should look like.

I think that Veblen's theory about conspicious consumption was good, but in relation to men and women, it didn't go far enough. Women display themselves to assert more than their men's wealth--they display themselves to assert all sorts of traits that their men and their culture at large takes pride in.

Different subcultures in America have different beauty standards. Kyria's comment really jogged my brain on this--the first thing I thought was that I know a number of women who are stunningly beautiful but they couldn't trade in their looks for a man with wealth if they wanted to because they don't subscribe to the grooming practices that are favored in your average gold-digger. (And god knows I know this standard all too well, having worked at banks in very wealthy neighborhoods.) The gold-digger standard is probably closest to the one that makes us flinch when watching "Extreme Makeover"--bleached hair, plastic surgery, breast implants, tan, lots of make-up and expensive jewelry.

In my little subculture of America, women adhere to a different beauty standard, but it's still a standard. Women either aspire to the natural look or play with these ideas of beauty, exaggerating them for dramatic effect. It's generally accepted as rejection of the "standard" of beauty, but there are standards in this subculture, too. All the various hairstyles I've gone through might serve as an example.

I've dyed my hair bright red, messed with colors like purple and pink, went for years with a severe bob of red hair with a streak of blonde in it, dyed my hair white-blonde and got it cut is a sloppy short cut, and then let it grow out in its natural color. Now I have my homegrown color and it's really long. Whatever I did with my hair, I never tried to do something artificial that I tried to pass off as natural. That is for women who try to use artifice for nature; I was more interested in drawing attention to my dramatic hair or just letting it be if I felt lazy. At all times I was fitting into my subculture's standard, which is that deception is unattractive. (Dyeing your hair funny colors is being dramatic, but isn't deceptive. No one thinks your hair naturally grows that way.)

This is the standard across the board. No push-up bras, heavy make-up, or dressing up allowed. (Unless of course you go overboard to mock it.) In one sense, it's freeing. But you also hear people laugh at women on the outside who do resort to artifice, pointing out that they can't pull off looking good without help. In that sense, it's a trap, because women are still judged by their looks and they don't even get to use outside help to get a leg up.

And while women I know don't trade on their looks for plain money, there is still a lot of trading on looks for social status. Men who have achieved some amount of fame as musicians in my social circles tend to have the girls who adhere to our subculture's beauty standard closely. There are things to trade in other than just money.

It occured to me that just as you could in the past, you can tell more about a man's station in life by the woman he has on his arm than by the way he himself dresses. Typical middle-aged man in okay shape by himself doesn't catch attention; slap a tan, plastic blonde on his arm and you know that he has money. Take average looking somewhat hip guy in his early 20's, late 30's who doesn't catch attention; slap a woman on his arm that has groovy clothes and hair and a curvy but thin figure and people will guess he's a musician. So on and so forth.

It troubles me. I don't dress or look the way I do to make my boyfriend look one way or another, and I don't think he would even notice if I did. I just want to look cool for my own sake. But you can't change the way people react to these things.

69 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

San Diego is having a Hot Rod Halloween on Sunday, October 30. If you love buying new car then you will want to be there! All kinds of buying new car will be in attendance. For more information go to buying new car
See Ya There!!

10/23/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello.. you have a very informative blog.

I shall visit again.

Warmest Regards.. :-)

Find wedding ring sets.

10/25/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post I found the same bad credit personal loan

10/27/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yo, This blog is pretty neat. You should check out mine sometime. It pretty much covers free opt in list related stuff.

10/31/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you! The information and Internet marketing product evaluations that you provide are great for beginner webmasters.

I have a online business intelligence site/blog. It pretty much covers online business intelligence related stuff.

Come and check it out if you get time :-)

11/02/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am certainly glad I found your blog. I will remember your link for future reference and reading. Thanks... hair cut style

11/02/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am certainly glad I found your blog. I would like to post your link on my "favorites" page for future reference and reading. **Sedu Hairstyles**

11/02/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Among these magnificent benefits is the chance to be able to promote your business, any business,

11/05/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And A Link Back To Your Web Site Excite You?

11/07/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!

I have a based email marketing permission vancouver site/blog. It pretty much covers based email marketing permission vancouver related stuff. Plus you can advertise to billions using our based email marketing permission vancouver tools.

Come and check it out if you get time :-)

11/07/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!

I have a credit report site/blog. It pretty much covers ##KEYWORD## related stuff.

Come and check it ou twhen youhave time :-)

11/07/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for writing a great blog about xango good for. I have been working with a business that is trying to help people who sell xango good for so you can be a walking billboard!!

11/08/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Post your Ad to everyday after that, you'll also be able to generate a Viral Traffic Streams absolutely FREE!

11/11/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Obviously I ended up a little off base, but I am certainly glad I found your blog. I would like to post your link on my "favorites" page for future reference and reading. 1940s hair style

11/13/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,

I've put up a site related to free video hosting its only been up a couple of days. and i'm still scouting around for information and articles that may be suitable for some of my free video hosting pages. Your free video hostingblog seems to be a good idea, I doubt if my free video hosting site will become as popular... but I suppose that depends on me finding those free video hosting articles.... A well, on with my journey - thanks for reading, hope to see you on my free video hosting site.

Take care
Steward.

11/19/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Increase your Search Engine Rank in Days noy Months!

11/20/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog you've got here Amanda, I was looking for laser hair removal related information and found your site. I have a laser hair removal site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Stop by and check it out when you can.

11/27/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda. I was looking for hair related information and came across your blog. Very good reading! I have a hair site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Check it out when you can :)

11/29/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda. I was looking for hair loss related information and came across your blog. Very good reading! I have a hair loss site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Check it out when you can :)

12/18/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda, very unique blog you have! I was looking for female hair loss related information and came across your site. Very good info, I'm definitely going to bookmark you! I have a female hair loss site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Please visit it.

12/22/2005

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog Amanda. Your posts were interesting reading. I was looking for hair loss solutions related information and found your site. I have a hair loss solutions site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Please try and visit it, see what you think and enjoy.

1/05/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Aprecio toda la ayuda que he recibido.Cheerio, Patrick south dakota auto accident attorney

1/06/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good information

1/07/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good information

1/07/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A volte mi domando se ci � male qualcosa con me.Adieu, Dusty payday loan no faxing required

1/07/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how can i start a blog

1/08/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ich suchte nach einem Platz, der Informationen �ber Dangers of Silicone Breast Implants, hatte und ich fand Ihren Aufstellungsort.Cheerio, Odette Dangers of Silicone Breast Implants

1/09/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cool site. I just launched a new site that features hydroponic gardening listings. If your looking for a night out... a night in.. a good time basically. Then come visit us at http://www.indoorgarden.ca for what you seek.

1/10/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Realmente goc� el leer de su blog.Earnestly, Shavon natural breast enhancement pills

1/10/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello, I'm just a retiree from Florida surfing around the net and looking for
interesting blogs. Came across your blog and thought I 'd say hi. Good job.

Regards,
Sam

florida laser hair removal

1/11/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Je suppose que chacun a une id�e de de ce que je parle.Byebye, Renay laser hair removal info

1/11/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was curious about mother's ring silver when I first heard about it.With Compliments, Katelyn mother's ring silver

1/13/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading some of your posts Amanda. I was looking for jennifer lopez sedu hairstyle related information and found your blog. I have a jennifer lopez sedu hairstyle site. You can find everything about hair styles as well as information on hair bows, color, extensions, and wigs. Come and check it out if you get time :-)
If you have a site similar to mine and would like to exchange links, please contact me through my website.

1/17/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I have a fairly new website that has been online for about 8 months. I looked at alot of websites that are in my area diamond gold yellow . So my wife and I thought since we love horses we should build a website around that. I didn;t realize it would be so time consuming though. But we love it and hope to improve and offer some of the best recourses and products available. Hence the search for content new products and information about what we have. If you decide to come and visit maybe you can offer some advice That would be great. If not well you have A great new year. We hope to soon start a new site for horse adoption and rescue. Hopefully in the spring.

Thank you for your BLOG.

Regards,

diamond gold yellow

1/18/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mai realmente so risolver� alla fine.Respectfully, Yael breast enhancer bras

1/18/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ik heb absoluut sommige fouten in de uitwerking van dit, maar allen voor beter gemaakt.Cheerio, Markus gastric bypass surgery forum

1/21/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nothing is keep you from getting what you want.With Respect, Enoch non-surgical breast reduction

1/22/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Vous savez quoi encore j'aime ? Ovaltine !Respectfully, Herbert Hastings breast enlargement

1/26/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, you can stay home with our business opportunity uk and get paid from the automatic Internet sale of OVER ONE MILLION valuable items!

1/27/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good post

1/29/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

good post

1/29/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks for the info

1/31/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda,

As a result of reading your blog "One standard to rule them all", I think you will discover my site on hair straightener a great help.

2/03/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been following a site now for almost 2 years and I have found it to be both reliable and profitable. They post daily and their stock trades have been beating
the indexes easily.

Take a look at Wallstreetwinnersonline.com

RickJ

2/05/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Alright! I had it. If I have to put up another day in the house with a teenager, why I will. Okay. Take a chill pill. I know, even though she is going through her toughest years of trying to figure out who she is, I have to take a level head about this. I mean, she sure cannot be this way forever. She will just flip out on me for no reason whatsoever. Just for asking a question. Might as well just go out and look for something else. It can just take my mind off the bummer of dealing with a teenager. Canada business web page host

2/06/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Although I don't think you can use fasting as a diet or weight loss program, I do feel that it can be a great start to a proper weight loss diet and exercise program. I think it is definitely something that everyone should do at least once a year.
Link to this site. teen weight loss forum

2/06/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Earn residual income for a lifetime.

2/08/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello ##NAME##, with all the information on work from home I became very overwhelmed. Anyway, I was online doing a specific search for the most current information on work from home and somehow I ended up on your site. ##NAME## to be frank, ##TITLE## wasn't not the exact match to what I was looking for, but boy am I glad I'm here. You've certainly managed to grab me attention and peak my interest. I must say this is a great blog and I'm most certainly happy that I stopped by eventhough it wasn't the work from home related information I was looking for. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

2/11/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello Amanda,

After reading your blog "One standard to rule them all", I believe you will find my site on sedu to be very helpful.

2/24/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice Blog.
Thanks for letting us post comments, - very cool of you.
I work online with my own home based business website.
I have a website. It pretty much covers free movies download related stuff.
http://earthdwelr.moviecity.hop.clickbank.net
Find any movie or song fast
Cheers for now:)

2/25/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice Blog.
Thanks for letting us post comments, - very cool of you.
I work online with my own home based business website.
I have a website. It pretty much covers video download related stuff.
http://earthdwelr.moviecity.hop.clickbank.net
Check it out if you get the chance.
Over 14 Million titles to Download

Thanks again!

2/25/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello :)

U have accomplished something that I found very useful... Ur site provides and teaches us the informationrmation I really required......... It is better than the informationrmation I found on websites from google...

Regards,
online fast make money

3/01/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi blogger:)

It is a pleasure to re-read throught Ur web blog threads.. Since it is up to date and interesting We shall also place some notes about it on my note.. My visitors will be able to follow through Urs......

Regards,
make fast online money

3/02/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi,

Well I wish to start a similar web blog
I was out blogging and bookmarked your web blog

Keep posting so I can keep navigating. I wish to learn more how to create a similar web blog.

Regards,
start business online

3/03/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

a great opportunity, no selling, no phoning, no recruiting PERIOD!

3/05/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice site. Interesting but not what i was looking for on http://laserhairremoval.thedatabase.ca/. So I will bookmark it for another day and return when the time is right. For now. I am off to find some good information on Maryland laser hair removal back. So caio.. and have a great day!

5/01/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cool blog you got. I was just out searching all the web for hydroponics pot and your site popped up in the listings. Not 100% what I was searching for but interesting enough to read through and leave you a comment I guess.
Keep it up. Cheers

5/01/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you tired of getting nice compliments on your blog, when really you're not makeng the kind of money that you deserve? Now you can join a completely FREE program. No buying and No selling. FREE to join. All you do is refer customers. To get started fast, click here: making money online site. It pretty much covers making money online related stuff and it's FREE to join.

5/08/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cool blog you got. I was just out searching all the web for chamber grow hydroponics and your site popped up in the listings. Not 100% what I was searching for but interesting enough to read through and leave you a comment I guess.
Keep it up. Cheers

5/14/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good info. Thanks.

Regards,

Trader Bob
FX trading

5/29/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good info. Thanks.

Regards,

Stock Trader
stock trading system

6/11/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog. I love all the free amateur adult movie. I will definately be back again... and again and again.

7/08/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog. I love all the free adult movie gallery. I will definately be back again... and again and again.

7/17/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog. Loved all the free adult movie site. Keep up the good work and I shall return.

8/23/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog. I love all the free adult movie preview. I will definately be back again... and again and again.

8/25/2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Get yours FREE Today!

2/07/2007

 
Blogger oakleyses said...

michael kors outlet, oakley vault, ray ban outlet, kate spade handbags, ray ban sunglasses, christian louboutin shoes, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet online, prada handbags, longchamp handbags, tiffany jewelry, louis vuitton outlet online, coach outlet, christian louboutin, polo ralph lauren outlet, nike air max, burberry outlet online, jordan shoes, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton handbags, tiffany and co jewelry, red bottom shoes, gucci handbags, michael kors outlet online, true religion outlet, michael kors outlet online, nike shoes, kate spade outlet online, longchamp outlet online, prada outlet, coach outlet, louis vuitton outlet, coach purses, longchamp outlet, true religion, louis vuitton, cheap oakley sunglasses, tory burch outlet, chanel handbags, coach outlet store online, polo ralph lauren, burberry outlet online, nike free, christian louboutin outlet, oakley sunglasses, nike air max, michael kors outlet store

11/16/2014

 
Blogger oakleyses said...

uggs outlet, uggs on sale, beats headphones, lululemon outlet, vans outlet, nfl jerseys, soccer jerseys, nike trainers, wedding dresses, jimmy choo shoes, ferragamo shoes, mac cosmetics, chi flat iron, rolex watches, longchamp, new balance outlet, abercrombie and fitch, p90x workout, bottega veneta, reebok shoes, canada goose outlet, ghd, roshe run, mcm handbags, soccer shoes, instyler ionic styler, valentino shoes, canada goose outlet, ugg outlet, north face outlet, celine handbags, north face jackets, ugg soldes, herve leger, giuseppe zanotti, mont blanc pens, nike huarache, ugg, asics shoes, insanity workout, canada goose outlet, hollister, canada goose, marc jacobs outlet, ugg boots, birkin bag, babyliss pro

11/16/2014

 
Blogger oakleyses said...

swarovski jewelry, converse shoes, ugg, canada goose pas cher, hollister, oakley, canada goose, juicy couture outlet, pandora uk, hollister canada, converse, moncler, louboutin, replica watches, timberland shoes, pandora charms, pandora jewelry, iphone 6 case, ray ban, swarovski uk, uggs canada, moncler, gucci, moncler, vans, montre femme, juicy couture outlet, moncler, ralph lauren, coach outlet, moncler, moncler, moncler outlet, links of london uk, thomas sabo uk, louis vuitton canada, supra shoes, baseball bats, wedding dress, hollister clothing, karen millen, canada goose uk, toms outlet, parajumpers outlet, air max, lancel, canada goose, nike air max

11/16/2014

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home