Are people taught to view themselves as ugly?

Question

[I actually asked this in the right section (Society and Culture), but there's a bunch of trolls and ignorant people there and less here, so I'm asking again]
I'm half black, but can admit that I look in a magazine or something and see the light skinned model as prettier than a more dark skinned one or something. I know I'm not alone in this, and it isn't just about race. But are we as Americans taught (and somewhat brainwashed) into believing that we're ugly and can never live up to the people in the media? Because even if we KNOW they're not perfect and nobody can really truly be that amazing looking or smart or whatever it is all the time, we still compare oursleves to them like we can. It's really sad...

Answer 1

This is why girls these days are so self conscious. You see the faces and bodies of beautiful women plastered all over magazines, tv, and even billboards. We cannot escape the fact that this is what society considers beautiful. When in all reality, beauty comes from within. I have met so many pretty girls in my life, that I consider to be uglier than most teenaged boys with acne!!! And that is because of their self centered attitude. I think we just need to realize that we are who we are and we cannot change that, and if someone has problem than f**k off. You have to love yourself, or nobody else will !!!

Answer 2

I think so. It's a part of the brainwashing to get us to buy EVERYTHING that big business tries to sell us. Whatever we are, we're told it's not good ENOUGH but if we buy THIS we'll suddenly be perfect.

Some of the most beautiful women I've known thought that they were trolls. It's enough to make me want to be a Communist, or at least an anti-Capitalist.

And don't get me started on the "lighter is better" nonsense that we're fed in this country. There is no "right" complexion or skin tone, and even though I'm a honky-cracker-blue eyed devil myself, when I hear people say that lighter is better I get as pissed as Huey Freeman would.

Answer 3

I think that is a major problem in america that we are taught that the more fair colored you are you are considered more attrcative. Just look at the major magazines, and on television. Anything dark is made to be evil and unattractive in this country. Everyone doesnt feel that way just a large majority and thats why it is a big problem. All you can do is love your self for who you are and live your life the best way possible because people wont change what is taught to them no matter what you do!

Answer 4

Hi

I've seen a lot of dark skinned people who are beautiful, and a lot of light-skinned people who are not. I guess the lighter you are, the more acceptable you'll be in society. A lot of people have low self-esteem because they compare themselves to what they see on TV, the Internet, and magazines. They have to realize all that stuff is fake. Anyone can put on makeup and can have their picture photo shopped, and will look beautiful. No one is perfect, and a lot of people do not realize that the majority of normal people look a lot better than celebrities. Some celebrities are not recognizable without their makeup. People need to stop paying attention to what others think of them, but I know that's going to be impossible. Anyone can be beautiful regardless of their skin complexion/color.

Answer 5

I don't think we are taught to view are selves as ugly but to try and look perfect and since we're not we always think we're ugly. We always think we are ugly or at least not *** pretty as someone else, so we are constantly looking for everyones else's approval. Before are able to accept are selves we need other people to accecpt us. We also tryy to make our selves look better in comparison to eveerybody else by trying to make them look or feel ugly. That's just my personal opinion and the way it seems to me. Oh one more thing some of us are or will be able to feel pretty without everyone telling us that we are, but sadly not very many people are able to do that. Like I said this is just the way I see things, but what do I know I'm only 15.

Answer 6

I think the media does have a negative impact on most teenagers (and some adults). But as we grow older, we realize the value of being beautiful on the inside, being comfortable with ourselves, and not giving a damn what others think about us. I think that comes with age, but unfortunatley, some people NEVER learn this and constantly compare themselves to an unrealistic portrayal of "beauty".

We just all need to learn that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, what we think of ourselves matters WAY more that what others think, and that we will never compare to the airbrushed, overly made up figures in the media.

Answer 7

i know what you mean.its like in all the media the pretty girls are always the blue-eyed blondes or the really light-skinned black girls.not to take away from the beauty of these girls(they are really pretty) but i dont feel there is enough exposure of the other beautiful girls.latina girls,asian girls,native american girls,dark-skinned black girls arent really seen that much and i think that its a shame because they might feel less worthy than the girls in the magazines when in actual fact they are just as beautiful.i dont know thats just my opinion.

Answer 8

lol you're right about cultures and groups. I go there all the time but just to diss and report all the racist people there. lol

Yes sometimes we are tought that we are ugly. With all the magazines saying that someone who is actually really fit is "fat" or calling amazingly pretty people "ugly", of course some people are gonna have really low self esteeem and think themselves are ugly or fat too, and they wanna be like the "perfect" body.

Answer 9

OMG UR SOOOO RIGHT

like for an example in movies the white girl or light skinned girl is glamrous the slightly darker one is ghetto
or all black beauties as in beyonce alicia keys ashanti
are all light and every black girl wants to be light soo
bad
today i mixed lemon and sugar together and put on my face so i can be lighter

Answer 10

Everyone is beautiful in their own way. It doesn't have to be looks or anything. It can be your personality. I know that it's sad. Some people at my school are so skinny and they are abusing their bodies to fit in to the latest fashion and having their heads in the cloud and spending money instead of studying for the future. It's sad, but no one can change it.