I am ugly not defined by a social construct.
For people to love themselves and be happy with their own appearance, comparing individuals in terms of how “hot” or how “beautiful” they are needs to stop. Who is to say one human being is more beautiful than another. We all posses our own unique qualities, emphasising our individuality. It sounds cliche but I would argue that we are all in fact beautiful in our own way, this shouldn’t be determined by society. Perspective should instead depend on different people who are looking for different qualities, rather than being so heavily influenced by the environment we are in that has created this idea as a social construct. I think it is completely degrading and dehumanising to say that one human is more beautiful than another, because I know it doesn’t outright state someone is of more value however the implications of it can make people feel as though that is the case. I will not argue against one human being more attractive than another human for a specific person as this is a natural part of our biology and certain features are going to be more attractive than others simply because of science. I just do not believe we should decide on what qualities are “beautiful” because we cannot change what we are born with, all that this type of attitude creates is a malicious and judgemental environment that breeds insecurity amongst individuals who are questioning their self worth based on their physical appearance, constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling as though they are somehow inferior or inadequate.
This poem addresses beauty as a social construct and the negative impacts that modern day influencers, celebrities, television and the media can have on the younger generation as well as the vicious cycle of unhappiness that inspires insecurity and self hatred as these children grow, feeling uncomfortable in their own skin. This dangerous mindset can lead to people taking potentially harmful health risks out of desperation to look a certain way because of the stigma surrounding beauty and the qualities that are perceived as “beautiful”.
(Not my picture)
A strive for perfection
a need for protection,
characterised by unrealistic expectation
the selfish desires of a nation
so it’s approval you seek
without beauty you’re weak
a disease of insecurity
infecting the population
the product of an appearance driven society
media influence and magazines inciting
the sadistic nature of conformity
an unspoken rule to look a certain way
deeply disturbing superficial hearsay
with a devastating effect on intellect
a social construct driven into young minds
little girls using anything they can find
to change themselves, to tear themselves down
aged 15 waiting in line for a cosmetic procedure,
a growing self hatred taking control like a seizure
wearing degrading clothing and a nature defying frown
values upheld through social media, in every city, every town,
a vanity desk crowded with makeup and new faces
lotions and potions reinforcing the devotion
to removing identity, to becoming a clone
spending all day looking up diets, eyes glued to a phone
self absorbed celebrities posting modified bodies,
captions reading “be yourself” coupled with unnatural people
this is an outrage, shocking hypocrisy
steroids and protein shakes,
a requirement to be a certain weight
for your hair to sit a certain way
for your nose to be a certain shape
qualities we were born with
are judged and scrutinised
we are told to make a health compromise
to fit in with normality, in order to be loved
and those born “beautiful” don’t understand the fuss,
but that’s my issue,
your warped vision does not determine my worth,
my self value,
so who are you to tell me what beautiful is
to tell me it’s not desirable for my hair to have frizz
that my arse is great, but my legs are too big
because my purpose is not to please you,
10 year olds are starving themselves
and maybe you are too.
Social expectations and a company’s wealth
put before my mental health
and those 10 year olds become 40 year olds
hating themselves
because faces like theirs aren’t sold
aren’t publicised on television
aren’t featured in magazines
an infinite cycle that needs to be broken,
so forget what you know,
forget destructive taught values that you hold
corrupt ideas, social necessities you’re told
instead make individuality
your new sense of normality
to stop this nation wide health, happiness and identity
catastrophe
