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Facial beauty and physical attractiveness decrease after a specific time but inner qualities and beautiful soul will remain within the individual-illustrate & explain.
Introduction
The world has been created with various types of beautiful ideas and things. As a social individual people are biased to beauty. People in this universe are the worshippers of beauty. But beauty does not mean all about external facial beauty and appearance and physic. Beauty is all about inner qualifications and personality and character of an individual. An individual may be beautiful in facial expression and skin color but that does not mean that the individual will have all the inner qualities and a beautiful persona. At the end of the day these qualities are required for an individual. Facial beauty and physical attractiveness decrease after a specific time but inner qualities and beautiful soul will remain within the individual. In our society if there is a beautiful girl we get biased to that girl or in the job sector physically attractive people are recruited more in comparison to the less individual. All these concepts regarding beauty are hegemonic and pseudo concepts developed by our society. The practices of these concepts are not ethically right.
Methodology
This research paper has been prepared on the basis of primary sources. But some concepts have been taken from the secondary sources like books to relate with the related theories. To prepare this research paper a survey has been conducted and a questioner has been prepared consisting of 25 questions and the consent of the people has been taken as source of data. The sample size of this survey is 50. The participants are all NSU students. Interview of several individuals related to this topic have been taken to prepare the research paper interesting and valuable. On the basis of information provided by the participants the research paper has been prepared.
Limitations
To complete this primary research paper various difficulties were faced. The limitations of this primary research paper are:
Lack of Ethical Knowledge of the Participants:
The people of Bangladesh have lack of ethical knowledge and their degree of individual ethics is not high. As a result they are not very conscious about unethical activities in our society.
Lack of Information:
During the survey and the interview participants were not very keen to participate in the survey and the interviewees were not agreed to provide personal information.
Time Constraint:
To prepare a quality research paper enough time is needed. Though one month was given but due to pressure in other courses and vacations enough time was not available.
Literature Review
Good looks and physical pleasant appearance are highly compound concepts, which have been the topic of much research and debate within the field of psychology (Eagly, Ashmore, Makhijiani & Longo, 1991). Even though several precedent researches such as studies by Beck, Ward-Hull and McLear (1976) and Ford and Beach (1951) revealed that there are considerable individual differences in inclination for beauty standards, more modern studies have revealed that people share ordinary views of bodily charm apart from of race, age or nationality (Fink & Neave, 2005).<href=”#_ftn1″ name=”_ftnref1″ title=””>[1] A meta-analysis, conducted by Langlois et al (2000), established that the rating observers strongly agree concerning the question of beauty, both within and between cultures.
As well as this more contemporary view of a universal idea of beauty and attractiveness, there is also a renowned and almost universally agreed hypothesis among social psychologists that a person’s looks influence a range of magnitudes (Marcus & Miller, 2003).<href=”#_ftn2″ name=”_ftnref2″ title=””>[2]
Persons who are considered physically attractive and gorgeous are professed more positively than those considered bodily unappealing (Collins & Zebrowitz, 1995). For example, a “What is beautiful is good” halo effect (Dion, Berscheid & Walster, 1972) can be verified, whereby those who are judged to be physically attractive are perceived to have better personalities, be more sociable, governing, capable, confident, admired and be considered to be better employees than are those who are less attractive (Eagly et al., 1991).<href=”#_ftn3″ name=”_ftnref3″ title=””>[3] Furthermore, they are also considered to be warmer, stronger, more poised, flexible in their thoughts, psychologically healthy, smart, and communally skilled and more flourishing in their careers than those considered physically unappealing (Feingold, 1992; Hosoda, Stone-Romero & Coats, 2003; Miller, 1970).<href=”#_ftn4″ name=”_ftnref4″ title=””>[4]
The profit of attractiveness has also been revealed in the occupational sphere. Many studies have been conducted concerning physical attractiveness and employment (Abramowitz & O’Grady, 1991; Bardack & McAndrew, 1985; Marlowe, Schneider, & Nelson, 1996).<href=”#_ftn5″ name=”_ftnref5″ title=””>[5] Evidence of an attractiveness bias in work settings has been reported in a number of non-meta-analytic, narrative reviews (e.g., Bull & Rumsey, 1988; Jackson, 1992; Morrow, 1990; Stone, Stone, & Dipboye, 1992). Overall, what these reviews suggest is that relative to less attractive individuals, attractive people tend to fare better in terms of such criteria as perceived job credentials (e.g., Dipboye, Fromkin, & Wiback, 1975; Quereshi & Kay, 1986), hiring approvals (e.g., Cann, Siegfried, & Pearce, 1981; Gilmore, Beehr, & Love, 1986), predicted job achievement (Morrow, McElroy, Stamper, & Wilson, 1990), and compensation levels (e.g., Frieze, Olson, & Russell, 1991; Roszell, Kennedy, & Grabb, 1989).<href=”#_ftn6″ name=”_ftnref6″ title=””>[6] Bardack and McAndrew (1985) presented a research to college students to determine what happens when the aptness or attractiveness of attire clashes with other aspects of substantial good looks. It was originated in this experimentation that both physical attractiveness and appropriateness of costume manipulated the hiring decision. A study by Hamermesh and Biddle (1994) uncovered that attractive people earn about 10% extra than less attractive people while all partakers grasp equivalent demographic and labor-market characteristics.<href=”#_ftn7″ name=”_ftnref7″ title=””>[7]
Weitz (2001, p.668) described attractiveness as “a realistic route to power”, for women specifically, his study revealed that women who are deemed to be attractive are “more likely to marry men of higher socio-economic status, more often hired, more often promoted, and paid higher salaries”.<href=”#_ftn8″ name=”_ftnref8″ title=””>[8] Finally, even criminals have shown physical attractiveness to be a positive resource, in that it appears to be associated with lower levels of punishment (Downs, & Lyons, 1991).<href=”#_ftn9″ name=”_ftnref9″ title=””>[9]
Meaning: Beauty Is Skin Deep
In the context of our social structure, the physical appearance of a person is regarded as the most observable and handy to others. The bodily appearance of a person is not the determiner about the inner qualities that a person should have. A person can have eye-catching looks but he/she might not have smart internal persona. Beauty is skin deep means that beauty is not all about looks rather beauty refers what a person has inside. The heart is the only thing that can differentiate the person from rest of the people in the world. In our society there is a trend to appraise everyone based on the physical splendor which most of the times lead towards dissatisfaction, unfairness and intolerance as well. A person who is drop dead attractive can have
a very bad persona. So, it does not matter how a person looks like rather the inner beauty works. The actual beauty is the personality and inside quality of an individual which works in the long run as well.
The Concept of Beauty
Beauty – Definition
Beauty is based on perception and idea. It is regarded as the combination of color, shape or forms that satisfies the aesthetic sense of human. But in the context of Bangladesh, beauty is most commonly related with femininity like – large eyes, fair complexion, black and long hair etc. But in recent times male are also conscious about beauty. Man with tall structure, broad shoulders, strong arms etc are regarded as beauty symptoms. But in the context of Bangladesh, people with fair skin texture are regarded as beautiful which is basically a hegemonic concept.
If one person is taken who is considered as beautiful and another person who is regarded as less beautiful and if the skin of their body is taken over then it will be realized that beauty does not depend on the skin rather it depends on the inner qualities and personality of an individual.
Size and Shape of Beauty in Different Cultures
The perception of beauty depends from person to person. It comes in different forms and shapes. The concept of beauty differs from culture to culture. In the context of Bangladesh the physical appearance is regarded as the only form of beauty by most of the people. But beauty does not have any exact standard in this world. The perception of beauty differs from country to country culture to culture. For example – Chinese women regard as pale skin as beautiful skin and it is the form of beauty to them and they use bleaching cream for make up to make their skin pale whereas the people of Chennai, India they prefer dark skin as a form of beauty and they are very happy with their skin color though the people living in other states of India like Delhi, Mumbai and who are related with Bollywood they prefer fair skin complexion.<href=”#_ftn10″ name=”_ftnref10″ title=””>[10]
What Is Beautiful Is Good
Because of human psychology, every individual has some baseness towards beauty. Men are the worshippers of beauty. Human mind always find the beautiful things in this world. They always themselves want to be beautiful and want to admire beautiful things. In professional life, there are some job positions where higher level of public exposure is required like – front desk officer, sales people, television news presenter, television anchor etc. As a result in these
positions the corporate houses always want to employ physically attractive and smart people. There is a positive co relation between attractive employee in these positions and company profitability. In our research we found that a beautiful person has the more probability to be a man of good mind.
Beauty Can Be Misleading
According to human psychology through beauty people only consider about the external beauty but beauty does not only mean about external appearance rather it means inner beauty of the soul and personality. In our society there exists a hegemonic idea about beauty and personality. General mass of our society consider that a human with attractive physical beauty
have a special position in the mind of them. They believe that a person with attractive physical appearance will have a beautiful mind in comparison to a less attractive person. The hegemonic concept also refers that attractive people will get better job with handsome mount of salary. But things are not always same. Less attractive people can also have better personality and beautiful mind as well. So, beauty sometimes leads us to a hegemonic concept.
Different Dimension of Skin Deep Beauty
Selection of Friend
A person is voluntarily evaluated, liked or disliked on first meeting on the basis of how the person looks, what the person wears, hoe the person walks and talks. All these impressions are created within a few seconds of a meeting. In the meantime we start to justify that person on
the basis of the above criteria. In the younger age, in terms of selection of a friend depend on the outward appearance of any person. A friend should not be selected just because the person is handsome and good looking. We should select our friend on the basis of inner beauty of the soul and inner qualities.
Selection of Bride/Bridegroom
In our society when guardian look for bride or groom for their son or daughter, they want to have a bride who has fair skin tone and this is the first criterion in the list of priority. If the bride has fair complexion, then they don’t even look for minimum educational qualifications and other internal qualities like honesty, loyalty etc. If a girl passes SSC or HSC, then she is regarded as a good candidate for marriage. In terms of the groom, if a man has a better figure or attractive look or has a better job, then nothing is considered regarding the qualification of that person.
In our society our guardians do not inquiry about the character or personality of that person whom they select for their daughter.
Job Recruitment and Selection
In the organization, while recruiting an employee resume plays an important role. Based on the qualification of the applicant, they are recruited. If the applicant has a below average resume but with an attractive picture, the Biasness to the applicant with attractive picture works here. If an applicant has above average resume but with a less attractive picture then the possibility of getting recruited decreases. In the selection process, it s assumed that applicant with attractive physic might have more qualities and more confidence and more capability as well in comparison to a less attractive applicant. Employees with attractive looks tend to have the
possibility of getting more salary than a less attractive employee. Through the primary research it has been found that, employees with higher degree of physical attractiveness tend to income 8% more whereas employees with lower physical attractiveness tend to income 9% less in comparison to employee with higher level of physical attractiveness. In most of the cases people has the perception that attractive people get job easily and earn more and they are also confident.
Physical Attractiveness and Career
In the workplace, people with attractive beauty, they are treated in a special manner than the other employees. Women who have attractive looks, they get less amount of workloads to perform and get more breaks and free time to enjoy. They are treated as doll in the organization.
They only attend the boss and have chitchat with the boss. Women who have less beautiful face, they get more workloads to do and they need to work more in the office. Facial beauty works as a bias item here. Male employees with attractive and beautiful physic do not need to work a lot. They only attend meetings and programs of the company.
Reason for Thinking As Beauty Is Skin Deep
Media Impression
In the age of globalization, media has immense impression in our social and everyday life. Through movie, drama, magazine etc, media is informing us hegemonic perception towards beautywhich is only external beauty. Through various types of advertisements they provide unrealistic information regarding body shaping and external physical beauty. Media motivates towards the hegemonic concept of beautification and this attractive appearance has entered into
male and they are also trying to be physically attractive to their friends, family and colleagues rather than gaining inner qualities maintaining personality.
Beauty Parlor Business
Real beauty of a person is what inner qualities do he/she has. If anyone has a beautiful mind that will automatically come out in his/her attitude. If a person all humanitarian qualities along with proper education and a good soul, then he/she does not need to show off rather inner
beauty will automatically reflect on the outside. In today’s world of globalization beauty parlor is a hegemonic and brainwashing concept. They are making profit through external beatification of individuals by using chemical therapies and various kinds of spa. People get used to it and as a result they make repeated visit and spend a lot of money. Beauty parlors are robbing customers. As a result customers are getting concept that this is real beauty which is totally a hegemonic concept. Because of parlor people get more confused and buy chemical product.
Biological Reason
The skin complexion of human body is determined by the God and everything is controlled by some specific genes. God has given us natural beauty. But we want show others that an individual is more beautiful than others. Biologically, we, the human are worshipers of beauty and we prefer beautiful things to have. Because of some bodily genes we want to observe beautiful things. The complexion of our body is controlled by some specific genes and some chemical nutrients.<href=”#_ftn11″ name=”_ftnref11″ title=””>[11]
Real Life Examples of Skin Deep Beauty
Arif’s mother Mrs. Selina Akter is looking for a bride for her son. The one and only criterion for the bride of her son is the fair complexion of that girl. If the giel has fair skin only she will omit all other qualities required for the qualification of her daughter-in-law. She will not inquiry about the educational qualities, inner qualities and personality. The reason she is looking for fair skin color is that she wants to have beautiful grandchildren for the future generation.<href=”#_ftn12″ name=”_ftnref12″ title=””>[12]
Heera Ahmed, a chartered Accountant who got married 5 years ago and earns a handsome salary. Her mother-in-law calls her ‘Kali’ which means being dirt. Her mother-in-law says that she would never accept their relationship is she would know that Meera has dark skin color.<href=”#_ftn13″ name=”_ftnref13″ title=””>[13]
Afrin Khan, a housewife who has a dark skin color. Her husband never complains about that but she realizes that her husband does not behave with her normally and love her. Her husband always searches for white skin heroines in the television and also in the internet. Whenever they go outside her husband notices ladies with fair complexion.<href=”#_ftn14″ name=”_ftnref14″ title=””>[14]
Farhad Ahmed, a student of North South University who applied for the front desk information officer position in Grameenphone Ltd. Though he had a brilliant academic result and he passed all the steps in the recruitment and selection process quite nicely.
Because of having a dark skin color the position that he desired was not given only because of skin color of dark.<href=”#_ftn15″ name=”_ftnref15″ title=””>[15]
Tarannum Kabir, a student of Dhaka University who is studying in the Media and Journalism department, she was not given the position of news reader in a renowned television channel in our country just because of having a skin one dark. Though she had all the required qualities of news reader but she was not offered the job only because of her skin complexion dark.<href=”#_ftn16″ name=”_ftnref16″ title=””>[16]
Ethical Theories Related To Beauty Is Skin Deep
Evaluating a person on the basis of facial beauty is not moral. But it is a general perception in our society to justify a person on the basis of facial beauty and physical attractiveness.
Ethical Absolutism
Ethical absolutism is the traditional normative ethical theory that refers that claims are eternal and universally applicable ethical theories.<href=”#_ftn17″ name=”_ftnref17″ title=””>[17] For example – judging a person based on external beauty or appearance, selecting employees who are smart and have good physic etc are example of ethical absolutism which is completely immoral.
Ethical Relativism
Ethical relativism states that morality is dependent on context and there is no universal right and wrong. Ethics are based on the personal decision and the culture in which they are located. <href=”#_ftn18″ name=”_ftnref18″ title=””>[18]Like – In Chennai, India people prefer dark skin color but in another state like Delhi fair complexion skin is preferred. So Ethics are based on context and culture.
Egoism
An action is morally right if the decision maker freely decides in order to pursue either their short term desires or long term interests. <href=”#_ftn19″ name=”_ftnref19″ title=””>[19]If a person selects a white skin wife for him but he has a sister who is dark skin. His sister will not be liked by others. So he should not discriminate between dark skin and fair skin and it is not morally correct.
Utilitarianism
According to utilitarianism an action is morally correct if it results in the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people affected by that action.<href=”#_ftn20″ name=”_ftnref20″ title=””>[20] If an employee does not recruit physically less attractive applicants in the job then people who are not so much good looking, will be disappointed and frustrated. So it is not moral.
Fair Procedures
Fairness is determined whether everyone had equal opportunity to achieve a just reward for his/her efforts which is known as procedural justice.<href=”#_ftn21″ name=”_ftnref21″ title=””>[21] If job selection or recruitment is done on the basis of facial beauty and physical attractiveness then everyone will not get fair or equal opportunity which is legally immoral.
Fair Outcomes
Fairness is determined whether the consequences are distributed in a just manner.<href=”#_ftn22″ name=”_ftnref22″ title=””>[22] If a physically attractive employee get comparatively more salary then the distribution system has no fair outcomes which in not moral.
Conclusion
The concept of beauty is a hegemonic concept in our society. As a human being we always evaluate individuals on the basis of skin beauty which is not ethically moral. It is a regular practice in our society. But beauty is not all about the external facial beauty it is also related to personality, inner soul and character of an individual. In our society a man with less attractive physic is regarded as that the person has less confidence and will earn less and he will not be regarded as a perfect employee because of skin beauty. Whereas person with attractive physical attire and looks will be admired by all and that person will be regarded as a perfect match for any job, as a groom and will be smartly evaluated by the society which is not moral But all these are hegemonic concepts developed by our social structure and the practice of these activities are not ethically and morally correct. A person skin color and physic should not be considered, whatever should be considered is the inner qualities and persona of that individual.
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<href=”#_ftnref10″ name=”_ftn10″ title=””>[10]Haq, E. U. (2012) Personal Interview, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 10 October
<href=”#_ftnref11″ name=”_ftn11″ title=””>[11] Majumder, S. A. (2012) Personal Interview, Comilla, Bangladesh, 28 October
<href=”#_ftnref12″ name=”_ftn12″ title=””>[12] Akter, S. (2012) Personal Interview, Comilla, Bangladesh, 25 October
<href=”#_ftnref13″ name=”_ftn13″ title=””>[13] Ahmed, H. (2012) Personal Interview, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 18 October
<href=”#_ftnref14″ name=”_ftn14″ title=””>[14] Khan, A. (2012) Personal Interview, Comilla, Bangladesh, 28 October
<href=”#_ftnref15″ name=”_ftn15″ title=””>[15] Ahmed, F. (2012) Personal Interview, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 29 October
<href=”#_ftnref16″ name=”_ftn16″ title=””>[16] kabir, T. (2012) Personal Interview, Chittagong, Bangladesh, 18 October
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<href=”#_ftnref20″ name=”_ftn20″ title=””>[20] Crane, A. & Matyen, D. (2004), Business Ethics A European Perspective, Oxford University Press. New York, pg. 84
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<href=”#_ftnref22″ name=”_ftn22″ title=””>[22] Crane, A. & Matyen, D. (2004), Business Ethics A European Perspective, Oxford University Press. New York, pg. 94