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Physical Beauty

Intermediate Level

Unit 1: Video and Photograph

Unit 2: Reading And Comprehension

The Beauty Myth

Idioms About Age

People in our society spend thousands of dollars to keep themselves looking young and beautiful. Taking care of yourself and keeping a good image is very important, but some people can take it the wrong way. Some people really get caught up in the beauty myth. People seem to think that if you are beautiful or handsome, you must be very intelligent, successful or rich. This is a myth, a lie that was started in part by the beauty industry, and in part by our own vanity.

Beauty is a myth, its fleeting and like fashion it's seasonal. The beauty myth promotes an ideal image of the perfect man or woman that many people aspire to become. It is harmful especially to woman who often feels pressure to conform. In addition to making people feel inadquate, the beauty myth encourages people to go on diets or to even take up plastic surgery.

Today, many people base their ideas about beauty on advertisements, by imitating Hollywood movie stars or on the opinions of others. The need to be perceived as beautiful has led to the rise of the beauty industry - an industry estimated to be worth about $160 billion dollars. The reason why this is such a profitable industry is that advertisers play on our fears - the fears of been unsuccessful, of looking ugly or being unpopular. Most beauty products either make grand claims that are simply untrue, or their advertisements are misleading and at times deceiving. In the end, I guess the promise to look beautiful outweigh reality and clear thinking.

Vocabulary Practice

Complexion: skin color.
Advertisements: promoting a product or service to the public.
Vanity: self-love.

Questions

1. What is the beauty myth?
2. Who promotes the beauty myth?
3. What are the characteristics of a beautiful person in your own country?