Why This Woman Thinks Campaigns Featuring ‘Real Women’ Are Dangerous
[Photo: Pexels]
‘Real beauty’ campaigns such as Dove’s have been around for years now, encouraging women to see beauty in their bodies whether they fit social ideals or not.
But are such adverts really empowering us, or are they just another voice telling us that we are only defined by our appearances?
This is what Kristin Salaky, a writer based in New York, has argued in a recent article.
One of Dove’s beauty campaign adverts [Photo: YouTube/Dove]
She wrote on The Washington Post: “These campaigns are meant to make me (and all women) feel good in their own skin.
“But while I love a good compliment, it doesn’t work on me.”
She explains that she is treated differently by society due to her appearance:
“I’m ugly, and I know it… I’m not an idiot, my vision is fine.”
“I’m treated by men like an obstacle to get around. Sometimes, guys walk away from me mid-conversation to talk to a better-looking girl.
[Photo: Pexels]
“When I write pieces on this subject or even allude to having an opinion online, anonymous Twitter trolls tell me I wouldn’t be so unattractive if I didn’t dye my hair.
”I’m not the only one to experience this. Attractive waiters earn more tips. Beautiful people get more job interviews, get promoted more quickly and make more money than their unattractive counterparts.
“This is why the ad campaigns that tell everyone they’re beautiful are so dangerous. They link beauty with worthiness and kindness, doing nothing for the people thrust into the world knowing that simply isn’t true.
One of Dove’s beauty campaign adverts [Photo: YouTube/Dove]
“Instead, we should teach people, especially women, that their beauty doesn’t define them. We need to teach them that their worth comes from much more than their appearance.”
“We need to lift women up to be competitive workers, voracious learners and empathetic people. No matter what they look like.”
What do you think about Salaky’s article? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.
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