Is there a universal ideal of beauty?

Question

A large nose in the western world is not attractive but, in Asian countries, it is highly desirable. Big bums in England aren't beautiful but many Africans find them irresistible. The eighteenth century favoured large voluptuous women and the 21st century favours miserable stick-insects ..... so is it a cultural difference only, or is there some universal idea of beauty that all ages and cultures could agree on?

Answer 1

Bamma say he never seen an attractive miserable stick insect. Bamma say he wonder if this some sort of insight. Bamma say no be jealous of stick women. Bamma say stick women too boney. Bamma say leave bruise on Bamma. Bamma say beauty in the eye of the looker. Bamma say he like voluptous stick insect. Bamma think woman eyes always pretty. Bamma say even stick women have pretty eyes. Bamma say common denominator. Bamma otta know.

Answer 2

There are cultural ideals of beauty, not a universal ideal. Most of them, at least in regards to women, are related to the physical symbols of the ability to become a mother. In several African cultures, a woman with a large posterior is considered attractive because the fat reserves show she has the capacity to go through a pregnancy. Large breasts also serve as the same kind of symbol in other parts of the world. We have almost all seen the pictures of women with multiple rings around their necks, raising the head to a degree that the women would die if the rings are removed. There are dozens of such examples available.

Answer 3

I think media and the press decide what is pretty for us... for a while, cos once we get used to that, they'll change it, only to make more money and get people into diets, creams, surgery...

Ridiculous, women all over the world are gorgeous, you just have to look at the differences and appreciate them, rather than criticise them.

There is a proverb in Spanish, "para gustos, colores", which means, for every taste, there is a colour, meaning, we need

Answer 4

I understand that the idea of beauty from any person is usually defined by the age of 10-12 years of age and is defined by the local culture that one is brought up in.

So if one where brought up in a culture of two headed one armed bi pods at a young age then you would think them beautiful for the rest of your live and 'ordinary' humans quite ugly :-)

Answer 5

Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder, I have noticed on the pages of local papers with the pictures of couples who have just got married, that there often are some similarity, have a look and see what I mean!!!

Answer 6

most of what we believe beauty to be I think (as do others) is based on who we (subconciously) think would bear us the healthiest, best children. So the area of picking a healthy mate becomes very important. The actual inconsistencies that you mention are just variations on minor differences...they just about all in some way indicate health.

Answer 7

i truly think universally usally refers to America's standards. the idea of beauty is normally the tall, thin, blonde hair, blue eyed, tanned up girl with fake hooters that most Americans go crazy over.
i do not agree with this typical idealistic look however it is what makes money.
i am dark skinned and never wear any make-up, but i always get compliments on how pretty i am. and actually just as many whites tell me i am pretty as does the blacks and anyone else.

Answer 8

You answered your own question. It's a cultural difference, and it doesn't always stay the same within a culture forever, either.

Answer 9

The greeks thinks that the real beauty was the simetry

Answer 10

Perfection is my bum--not too large, not too small, but nice round and pinchable.
It must be--I have certainly been pinched enough!
Charles "That Cheeky Lad"
"It ain't only my face that has rosey cheeks!"
:))) & ;)
Happy Christmas everyone!!!!!