[Popcorn&Candy]

I do believe attractive/beautiful women do get far more respect and attention than the lesser-pretty women. You're told that if you're pretty, you've got more value as a human being, than say an "ugly" woman. For instance, supermodels are worshipped and praised. But is that short, stocky woman? No. It feels deeply unfair that if you are attractive, you are also assumed to be more intelligent. We know this is not always true. And in the media, have you noticed how the music stars are mostly tall and slim? Apart from Adele - whom is a superstar herself.

Anyhow, the beautiful women get the roles in the films and the model contracts. And that is what regular women are told they should aspire to be. Because unattractive women - at least compared to the famous ones - are thought less valuable. Women have also been told throughout time that they are meant to be beautiful and are valued for their beauty.

I had a friend years ago and she was utterly gorgeous. But I felt so jealous. Yes: really. Because even back then I knew my looks were what attracted people to me and decided whether others liked me. People do judge on appearance. I think they always will.

I don't look perfect but I make the effort with my appearance. Still I feel I would be respected more if I had model looks.

[jns]

It feels deeply unfair that if you are attractive, you are also assumed to be more intelligent. We know this is not always true.

I went to a college where most of the students were science or engineering majors. At the time I went, about 10% of the students were women. The more intelligent women were often less attractive, in my opinion. Most of the women there were very intelligent.

[Ashlee T.]

You both bring up interesting points.

Even before this article, I had recently given thought to some things in the workplace related to this.

While "pretty" women do seem to be given more attention, it's important to note that it isn't always the attention they want. In my experience professionally, it seems like women who are less visually pleasing are taken more seriously. My theory is that this occurs because the men are less distracted by them and the women are less threatened by them. I also think that when a woman sees an attractive woman (and maybe men are even like this, too) they automatically think that woman doesn't deserve her position and therefore, don't want to see her continue to grow. There is an automatic resentment. A woman who may be perceived as attractive, but who does NOT ride on her looks, and works very hard in her professional growth does NOT want her looks to be a factor, for or against her.

Time and time again I've seen the quiet, meek, "homely" woman with her hair slicked back in a librarian bun, get the promotion even when she wasn't the most qualified. Is it because she portrays herself as "nerdy" and is therefore taken more seriously? Or is it because she blends in with the woodwork and no one feels distracted or threatened by her?

[atskitty2]

And to jns' observation, I've also wondered whether the "cuter" female children are not encouraged to be as studious as the "less cute" little girls. The pretty kids have a sort of "pass" given, based on their perceived potential popularity and success based on their appearance.

I had a friend when I was young that was exceptionally good looking. She had those model good looks-tall, big blue eyes, slender but shapely, long blonde hair, etc. She was the kind of girl that you saw a mile away, and couldn't take your eyes off. She was a great student up until we were in high school. Then, the distractions of boys' attention hit maybe? I don't know, but last I knew she was unemployed and really did nothing with her blessings, either in appearance or her mind. She was always pretty, and she was a better student even than I was, and then, something changed. Is there a change in people's drive or focus when they attract so much attention? Is it parental direction?

Ashlee, I do know of women that intentionally dress extra conservative and always kept hair back at work.Seeing them in the mall, you'd possibly not recognize them. I do think that was a conscious effort on their part to be respected and taken more seriously at work. They were in mid-leadership roles, and very ambitious.

Interesting topic.

[Alison H.]

I do believe attractive/beautiful women do get far more respect and attention than the lesser-pretty women. You're told that if you're pretty, you've got more value as a human being, than say an "ugly" woman. For instance, supermodels are worshipped and praised. But is that short, stocky woman? No. It feels deeply unfair that if you are attractive, you are also assumed to be more intelligent. We know this is not always true. And in the media, have you noticed how the music stars are mostly tall and slim? Apart from Adele - whom is a superstar herself.

I totally agree. I like to think that musicians like Adele and Lizzo, or actresses like Chrissy Metz (This is Us) are helping to break the mold regarding tall and thin being the “beautiful ideal” these days, but that takes time.

Over the centuries, beauty trends have changed significantly; there was a time when more voluptuous women had figures that were considered ideal – because extra heft equated to a person being more well-off and higher in society. (Particularly around times of famine.) The wealthy could eat well, so obesity in those days meant better health and greater desirability.

At least until the early 1900s came along, extra weight on a woman was considered a sign of fertility, health, and beauty, before the pendulum changed direction.

[Alison H.]

In my experience professionally, it seems like women who are less visually pleasing are taken more seriously. My theory is that this occurs because the men are less distracted by them and the women are less threatened by them.

I think you absolutely nailed it with this statement.

A woman who is providing little in the way of sexual distraction for men and who garners little in the way of resentment from her female competition, will be taken more seriously and may advance in her career with greater ease. “Pretty” women aren’t necessarily taken all that seriously because they are pretty, for so many reasons.

Like atskitty2 mentioned, too, some women will intentionally dress more conservatively at work because of that – muting their attractiveness and not “flaunting their sexuality” (for lack of a better phrase) may enable them to not be seen as a distraction to men or as sexual competition to the women she works with.

[jns]

I totally agree. I like to think that musicians like Adele and Lizzo, or actresses like Chrissy Metz (This is Us) are helping to break the mold regarding tall and thin being the “beautiful ideal” these days, but that takes time.

I would add Elle King to that list.

[MrMr]

This is infuriating that this is even an issue. It's articles like this that make me check myself because I just assume, or find it difficult to comprehend that other people didn't grow up in the same environment that I did. I come from a strong family of all women where I am the oldest male. But what everyone has said is the reality and I don't know how to change it

[MrMr]

In politics I regularly see people commenting on Nicola Sturgeons appearance like every other male MP and SNP is even remotely attractive

[Popcorn&Candy]

I agree 100% Alison H. You've nailed it on the head.

It is amazing - not always in a good way - that media influences people so much. People aren't necessarily easily led, but they are pressured in a lot of ways via the media.

I could go on forever, for it is a long and complex subject. But, basically, I think the media will always have a dramatic influence on the public.