In a beauty-oriented society, lookism discrimination on physical appearance is the reality for many teenagers today. Teenagers are the most affected by the unusual effects of lookism.
Historical beauty standards have evolved into these misconceptions through modern-day media magazines and advertisements. The media is pumping viewers with unrealistic beauty-critical short photos that develop a narrow view of what is attractive.
Media Portrayal
It is very shallow that the media sets the standards of beauty. The constant sight of a flawless model or beauty pageant winner creates an unrealistic picture in the minds.
Social media has made it even worse! Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are all about sharing images and garnering “likes,” thus reinforcing appearance-based validation.
In addition to lookism in schools, social media might make one feel less beautiful. Filters and photo editing combined with an in-depth understanding of the perfect image online can lead to an existence compared with others. Comparison creates an atmosphere of low self-worth and generates doubt concerning one’s abilities.
Making a similar effort to the one for social media and lookism in schools to make oneself popular fuels the use of such visual criteria. One even goes to the extent of using filters or even menial techniques of getting up in the morning to look like someone who emulates the style of popular media.
Psychological Effects on Kids and Teens
Lookism can ruin the self-esteem of a teenager. They may feel unattractive, unworthy, or unimportant if they believe their physical appearance does not fulfil the standard of beauty.
The unrealistic beauty standards have been a reason for some serious suicidal problems such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
A teen may become socially phenomenological due to lookism, for instance, by bullying or exclusion based on one’s appearance. It is a common phenomenon in schools, where students who don’t meet beauty standards generally face mocking and abandoned activities. All these phenomena lead to even further emotional distress and social isolation.
Parental Software
In fact, in the digital age, a parenting application is one of the crucial aspects of life that could help parents continue to speak about the intervention against lookism with children. Apps such as mSpy or Eyezy or whatsapp tracking apps allow parents to track their teens’ social media footprints and discover extremely unhealthy interactions or even bullying incidents in their lives.
Screen time restrictions also help limit adolescents from the stress of curating their online appearances.
It also provides gadgets through which adolescent-parent interaction becomes open. Thus, keeping track of their online affairs to recognize loopholes where a parent can help on issues such as body image, bullying, or appearance-based discrimination.
Conclusion
The Lookism effects stretch wider than just self-esteem among teenagers; they affect both mental health and social relationships. From time to time, with the increase of social media and the expectations that come along with it, these teens will not face tenancy challenges again.