What is feminism's perspective on the power of female beauty?

Question

Do they have one? Should they? The power of beauty for a woman is far, far greater than for a man. Of course men have other powers, but that's not what I"m asking about. It's like having a card game where some of the players get handed much better cards than other players, but we're not supposed to notice, right?
I'm sure that historically, the power of female beauty manifested itself differently, more dangerous to the attractive woman. Not today,...... it's basically all benefits, except perhaps resentment from other women. Don't attractive women have more opportunities than the average man? What is feminism's perspective on this?

Whew, the 1st two answers indicate......

Object, you seem to be carrying the "dumbstick." I don't seem multi-faceted, complex, interesting? I'm not trying to brag. I'm too complex & too multi-faceted.

Answer 1

feminism is about achieved power of individuals and not about god given power. gender (god given) based denial of achived power of an individual and the struggle to attain equality in the power struggle is the story. your perspective is slightly distorted.

Answer 2

Well yes there is power in women's beauty and a lot of that is because many men let their weiner control their minds. The urge is always there but with maturity and smarts and a man having pride in himself and not being a pushover, (Putting women on such high pedestal is probably why so many guys easily get pussy whipped). he can not let his dick control his brain. But another thing. While attractiveness helps women with opportunities, attractive men do too. I notice how you said avereage man. Attractive women probably have more opportunities than average women, just as atttractive men havre more opportunitites than average men. But since society might take men more seriosly, an attractive man might have more opportunities than and average woman, but if she has looks than not so. But attractive people in general have advantages to some extent I believe. I have read and heard that statistically speaking, tall men or handsome men are paid more in the work force or have a high overal wage than short or average/or unattractive men. So a tall handsome man is probably more likely statistically overall to be paid decent amount more or better than a short/average or unattractive man.

Answer 3

i dont consider myself a feminist although its not hard to see that good looking people get places. I've been on both sides of the tracks on this one...i;ve been extremely fat and ugly and have gotten pretty much the opportunities Ive wanted as I have once I lost the weight and surprisingly went from from an ugly duck to what I am now. Nothing has changed,,,,people still want my brain, because I really dont know how my body and looks would benefit what i do. People still open the door for me as they did when I was fugly.
To the guy above...I dont think it's jealousy I feel about those pageants...I feel sorry they are beautiful stupid women with one in a million being a true act like Vanessa Williams.

Answer 4

Attractive women and men can be both helped and hurt by their physical appearance. Tall attractive men get paid better statistically than short men.

I once had a colleague tell me that a woman should always perform the "bend over in front of the mirror" test with her clothing to see if she is showing too much cleavage. Give me a break. Some men assume that all women are constantly dressing for them.

Although I am not ashamed of my physical attractiveness, I think some women use their beauty shamelessly....but then again so do some men.

Answer 5

Good question. I think feminism conveniently overlooked the fact that men will do anything for an attractive woman who knows how to behave in a certain way. Sort of blows the whole 'men have always controlled women' idea out of the water. Its a subtle power, and perhaps why TV shows about magic/vampires etc appeal much more to women.

Answer 6

Great question! Since I believe in my own version of feminism, I wouldn't be the right person to give you an answer. However, those who claim physical attractiveness is not important or should not be used, are simply not living in the real world. I'd use any tools and assets I have been given in combination with all the tools I have developed through hard work, to get ahead in the world. I don't see the shame in it. Those who put the "God given" advantages inferior to the individually developped advantages...umm...do you really think all people are created with identical talents and advantages? Those who become the world's greatest artists, scientists or athletes, do you think they simply relied on their hard work, or "God given" talent had something to do with it also? And does it matter if a woman gets ahead because she's beautiful or she gets ahead because she had the right connections or passed an exam? Really...if the goal is to get to the same destination, why does it matter to others to play the judge?

Physical appearance seems to be such a touchy subject with people. You have to remain politically correct at all times because we're attempting to give people the false impression that looks don't matter.

EDIT: Ms Sophi! I love what you said: "I won't apologize for using my looks in order to relax the opponent right before I destroy him with my intelligence, sharp wit and a west knowledge of the subject we are disputing ( very often people seem to expect a good looking woman to be an airhead." Can I steal it and claim it as my own? LOL

EDIT: Appreciating beauty doesn't always have to do with sex. I appreciate a woman's beauty but I don't want to have sex with her. Beautiful people are simply more pleasant to look at. This view is ageless, cross-gendered and universal.

Answer 7

Smile. I would say: it is a very personal question for every female to answer. I enjoy looking good. It is a large part of who I am. I won't apologize for using my looks in order to relax the opponent right before I destroy him with my intelligence, sharp wit and a west knowledge of the subject we are disputing ( very often people seem to expect a good looking woman to be an airhead ( surprise! surprise! )). I can't say though, that the only thing that gotten me where I am in my life was my appearance. My hard work, focus, dedication, inability to take ' no' for an answer did. So, I do not think that grass is really greener on the other side. In this life, you won't get much for doing nothing... And looking good would not make much difference, unless you wish to be in a business of selling yourself to the highest bidder ...

Answer 8

Physical beauty will spell success in life where that is a requirement and only if the woman has some other talents as well. Attractive people of both sexes get their foot in the door but they have to have a good sales pitch in order to be invited in.
C. :)!!

Answer 9

The way I see it, beauty currently exists as a possible means of female power, but that doesn't mean women should capitalize on it. We should be using our brains and our skills to go places.

Answer 10

If you need this to be scholarly, check out Naomi Wolfs the Beauty Myth, but havent read that for 10+ years. The one thing I remember though is her comments on the Janet and Chrissy effect (threes company) if you equate smarts with power.

Answer 11

You'll grow out of it. As men age they learn to think about things other than sex. Many blossom into multi-faceted, complex, interesting human beings. You wouldn't believe the difference!
Give it time, son. Just give it time.

My point is that if you choose to let your pecker control your brain... then your pecker will control your brain.

Hint:
The social science research tells us that physically attractive men and physically attractive women BOTH have an advantage in a host of situations. The research findings in psychology say it's true; it's just the way the ball bounces - sorry - but get over it.

edit:
You want to know what feminists have to say (while disregarding the fact that feminists don't constitute a single homogeneous group) but anyway...

"BEAUTY FADES. DUMB IS FOREVER"
Judge Judy, a feminist if I ever saw one.

Take heart (if you wish) in the fact that their skin will wrinkle and sag, gravity will pull the fatty bits (especially breasts) ever-closer to the floor. The middle area will thicken. Hair will lose it's texture and lustre. If these people haven't bothered with... investing in a proper education, for example - their (now faded) beauty will be of no use. The ageing process happens to everybody. No exceptions. The 'beauty ideal' is merely transitory.

Yet men, by contrast, have better luck and for longer. What is 'distinguished' (salt-and-pepper hair, for example) in an older man is considered ugly and undesirable in a woman of the exact same age. Crowsfeet add 'character' only in the male face - the opposite is true in a female face. How's that for a double-standard?