Abstract The paper discusses how we live in a society in which demands for equality abound. At some point, the rights and privileges associated with the white heterosexual man between the ages of 25 and 40 became associated with the perfect life. At the same time, it seemed that a trend began. The paper describes how hyphenated Americans began their quest for the apparently ideal lifestyle that had been withheld from them. Women, gays and lesbians began their own efforts to achieve this same equality outside of gender and sexual preference. The paper concludes that despite it all, the beautypageant still survives.
Abstract This paper discusses how beautypageants define gender, hierarchy, and power. The paper contends that, despite growing resentments to a male-imposed version of femininity, women in America are influenced by a wide range of powerful cultural messages that serve to define unrealistic expectations of what women should look like and how they should act. The paper explores the Miss America, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants.
From the Paper "Data for the winners of the Miss America competition from 1921 to 1986 (when the pageant stopped collecting the data) were analyzed by Freese and Meland; these researchers found that simple correlations between WHR and a linear measure of the time of pageant victory show that the WHRs of Miss American winners have changed over time. The correlation coefficients indicate that the WHR Miss America winners have decreased over time (r =.-55, p < .001) and those of Playboy centerfold models have increased over time (r =.46, p < .001) (Freese & Meland, 2002, p. 135). On the one hand, the authors say these results could reasonably be assumed to mean that this is evidence of an invariance in the underlying preference over time; the opposing trends, while important, could merely reflect idiosyncrasies of employing self-reported Playboy and Miss America measurements as measures of indicators of American male preferences for specific gender characteristics in the opposite sex at a given point in time. In other words, they say, because the trends are in opposite directions, they can be thought of as canceling each other out, allowing the conclusion that reflected WHR preferences have effectively been temporally invariant despite evidence of change in both samples (Freese & Meland, 2002, p. 136)."
Abstract The paper discusses the importance of the cultural practice of the beautypageant, in particular the Miss America beauty contest. The paper discusses how although there has been scholarly aversion to studying the phenomenon, it is clear that this apparently frivolous cultural practice is enormously significant in shaping how sexuality, gender and race are shaped within the broader fabric of power relationships in our society. The paper also demonstrates how this cultural practice has spread across the world during the twentieth century to become a global phenomenon.
From the Paper "The topic of "beauty" and, in particular, "beauty pageants" is a highly controversial one in contemporary academia. In the wake of late twentieth century feminism, scholars in the fields of sociology and anthropology "often see beauty contests as somehow trivial, frivolous, or vulgar" (Cohen 5). In large measure, this scholarly response reflects the widespread controversy over addressing the cultural construction of "beauty" in the modern context. While feminist critics have led the debate over the scholarly analysis of the construction of beauty, scholars in other fields have tended to avoid discussion of the issue and the cultural practice of beauty contests. As one critic observes of this scholarly aversion: "The failure to grant beauty pageants serious attention may reflect a reluctance to deal with beauty itself as a serious matter" (Cohen 6)."
Abstract This paper discusses why national beauty contests emerged in America and Australia, among other nations, in the 1920s and why they declined
in popularity by the 1980s.
From the Paper "The withdrawal of US network television from the Miss America pageant marks a new low in the steady decline of a once great institution: the national beauty contest. From being shared communal events that embodied the hopes and dreams of a sizeable section of their populations and played a role as flag-waving occasions of national pride, events such as Miss America have become just one part of the fragmented multimedia world that is entertainment today, and a distinctly tawdry and unfashionable one at that. The same story of marginalization revealed by ABC's withdrawal from Miss America is repeated across the world, with national contests no longer shared national events."
Abstract In this essay, the writer discusses aspects relating to the Miss America Pageant. The writer focuses on the controversies of the pageant. In this paper, the ideal of the Pageant is studied. The writer examines the Pageant's desire to visually communicate a specific image of the ideal young woman. The relevancy of the Pageant is also discussed. Further, the writer looks at the impact of the Women's Movement on the Pageant.
From the Paper "The Miss American Pageant has become an institution on the domestic entertainment scene. Countless young women have moved up the ranks of local and state pageants to compete on the boardwalk at Atlantic City hoping that they will be the one to hear the magic words associated with the pageant. 'Here she comes Miss America Our Ideal.' Unfortunately, the pageant has at times been marred by various controversies that speak increasingly to the social and political agenda embraced ... "
Abstract Notwithstanding the adage, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," to explain why some humans appear more attractive than others, this paper provides a review of the relevant literature to identify what scientific basis there is for making determinations of beauty and how this can be applied to fashion models today. A discussion of the criticisms being directed against beautypageants and their directors is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "We have all seen it: the New Miss America proudly walking down the runway, tears streaming down her humble face as she displays her crown and scepter -- showing the whole world exactly what it takes to be considered "beautiful." Some researchers, though, say the swimsuit-and-scholarship competition promotes an "ideal of female undernutrition" by crowning ever-skinnier contestants. A member of the staff at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health said, "Clearly there is a trend toward undernourished winners." In a recent analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists examined the decline in body mass index (BMI) scores among contest winners since first Miss America won the title in 1921. The winner of that contest had a BMI of 20.4. The "BMI reflects a person's weight divided by height to arrive at a number indicative of weight-related health" (Vergano, 2002, n. pag.)."
Looks at the film "Little Miss Sunshine" about a dysfunctional family on their way to Redondo Beach, California for the Little Miss Sunshine BeautyPageant.
950 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 0 sources, 2009, $ 33.95
Abstract This paper describes the film "Little Miss Sunshine" especially the character Frank, who begins the trip to the Little Miss Sunshine BeautyPageant as a self-loathing, depressed, suicidal genius. The paper analyzes Frank's attitude makeover from the beginning of the movie to the end. The paper relates that, through various interactions and conversations with another character Dwayne, who is a depressed Nietzsche-obsessed teenager with hatred towards everyone, Frank starts to discover that by helping Dwayne he is actually helping himself. The paper explains that, as the film concludes, Frank develops into a compassionate human being, determined to power through whatever sticky situation he and his family encounter.
From the Paper "After Dwayne discovers that he is colorblind and is unable to become a pilot, he breaks his vow of silence in a fit of rage. This breaks down the wall between Dwayne and the rest of the family, allowing Frank to get closer to Dwayne. Frank begins conversing with Dwayne outside the Little Miss Sunshine Beauty Pageant, helping him to realize that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. He goes on to tell Dwayne about Marcel Proust, a "total loser, never had a real job, unrequited love affairs, gay...spent 20 years writing a book that nobody reads.""
Abstract This paper is a cultural critique of the Pageant of the Masters, an annual summertime event in the Southern California city of Laguna Beach. It focuses on the tableaux vivants (living paintings) that accompany the two art festivals.
From the Paper "Most of us are familiar with an artistic technique called trompe-l'oiel. Taken from the French words for 'fool the eye', the term refers to paintings or other artworks that are so realistic that they fool the viewer's eye into thinking that they are the real ..."
Abstract People use the word beautiful for many different reasons such as a beautiful woman or a beautiful poem. It is important to take a look at different uses of the word to understand the full meaning of beautiful. Beauty is more than attraction. Beautiful is often used to describe people and objects, but inner beauty is important when it comes to friends and family members. This paper examines the different meanings that the word 'beautiful' can have. The paper explains that the term 'beautiful' can be applied to a number of different objects or ideas and that within each application different people interpret beautiful differently.
From the Paper "What does it mean when someone says a person or object is beautiful? The web describes beautiful as "delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration" (Definitions of Beautiful). People use the word beautiful for many different reasons such as a beautiful woman or a beautiful poem. It is important to take a look at different uses of the word to understand the full meaning of beautiful. Beautiful is often used to describe people and objects, but inner beauty is important when it comes to friends and family members. Beauty brings advantages that some people do not have. "In our society, beauty also gives us many advantages such as having a good social life, making friends, getting a job, and getting a promotion" (Eunsuk). Many people consider beauty important when it comes to hiring or advertising."
Abstract This paper discusses the message in Naomi Wolf's book, "The Beauty Myth", explaining that Wolf puts forward the provocative argument that the ideal of beauty in modern culture is nothing but the latest method of keeping women in a subservient role within the patriarchy. She sees the ubiquitous images of female beauty that pervade our culture as being part of a vicious backlash against the successes of feminism, arguing that this beauty myth functions to keep women convinced that they are worth less than men, and thus maintains the current economic system.
Examines the advertising industry's use of beautiful women to sell products and the way in which ads are designed to sell, not only products, but values to society.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper discusses advertising and beauty. Without doubt, advertising in our society today is very much connected to the social construction of beauty. This is clear when we observe how women are exploited for the sake of selling products. There are certain stereotypical portrayals of women in advertisements that make the sexism and social construction of beauty in our society transparently clear. These ads are designed to sell products -- as well as to send certain values to the culture.
Abstract The paper is about how the perception of beauty has changed and how people from different cultures define beauty. It offers a look at how this has changed through philosophy, culture, and society.
From the Paper "One of the greatest beauties is the beauty of people. It can be expressed both in inner and outer qualities. Outer beauty has been admired in all cultures whether it is the pure natural human form or the use of attractive costumes and paints. Whereas people's inner beauty expresses itself through their character. The standards of what is beautiful might vary from culture to culture and from time to time, but there is something that does not change - all human beings crave for beauty. No matter how different is the vision of beauty in the different cultures, everybody wants to be beautiful and attractive, because to be beautiful is to be desired. Since people existed, they were exposed to the subjective standards of beauty and that most of the people strive to live up the beauty ideals of their society."
Abstract This paper discusses how Lord Byron's poem, "She Walks in Beauty" is written in the tradition of Romanticism. It also describes elements of English Romanticism and how they apply to the poem.
From the Paper "There are several elements which offer proof that Lord Byron's poem "She Walks In Beauty" is indeed English Romanticism a term which Wood describes as loosely applicable to a literary and artistic movement of ..."
Abstract The paper uses Hamermesh and Biddle's analysis "Beauty and the Labor Market" in this discussion of discrimination in the labor market. The paper looks at whether there is a relationship between beauty and levels of earnings as determined by Hamermesh and Biddle. The paper comments on the findings of this 1994 analysis and also examines why it is incomplete.
From the Paper "Hamermesh and Biddle's 1994 analysis of the relationship between beauty and economics, entitled "Beauty and the Labor Market," hypothesized that there were indeed correlations between levels of attractiveness and wage-earnings. Through their analysis of three surveys (one Canadian [1981], two American [1977, 1971]), the authors determined that wage premiums (higher wages) were associated with advanced levels of attractiveness, and that wage penalties (lower wages) were linked to reduced ranks of beauty. One noteworthy finding of the study was that "men's looks may have slightly larger effects on their earnings than do women's" (Hamermesh and Biddle 1187)."
Abstract This paper examines Jane Eyre's personal sacrifices of neglecting her appearance and outlook in exchange for investing time in her intellect. The writer shows that Jane lived in five houses during her life, each one reflecting a different period in her life and personal struggle. The paper takes the reader from house to house and examines the significance of these beautiful houses and how they overshadow Jane's image.
From the Paper "The notion of beauty, what it is and whether it is an inner or outward quality, has been long debated. For centuries people, and particularly women, have struggled with the concept of their own inner beauty as something as important, if not more important than their outward, physical beauty. This is no less true in literature. The idea of female inner beauty has not always been valued. In Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, the protagonist, Jane, her intellect, her humility and those other inner qualities that she herself views as beautiful. She respects her wisdom and philosophy before any of her physical attributes, partly because of her need as a child to read, partly from the lessons she is taught. The ideas she embraces as a child regarding outer beauty are reinforced as they reappear in her adulthood. For the duration of novel, Jane lives in five homes. In each, the suggestion of inner beauty overshadowing exterior appearance becomes a lesson, built upon over time, and in her last home she gains her reward, a man who loves her solely for her mind."
