Hey girls...

I want to start a topic we all know by heart, and what is not so horribly tense as homosexual marriage or war - don't take me as a simple mind, but hey don't we all freak over our looks from time to time?

What I think would be an interesting thing to think about are the following?


How is beauty defined?
Who decides?
Why do we want to be beautiful?
How far are we willing to go to achieve it?
How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?
Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?
etc.


have fun...

Laila

How is beauty defined?

I think everyone is beautiful inside, and also outside. You only appear ugly to yourself. It's all in your mind and it cripples conidence.

Who decides?

Who decides what? How beautiful we are? No one but ourselves.

Why do we want to be beautiful?

To feel accepted into society and to feel accepted with ourselves. Some people would do anything to be beautiful, but another person may look at that girl and think "I wish I looked like her" but she may be depressed by her looks.

How far are we willing to go to achieve it?

As far as plastic surgery I guess.

How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?

Peer presure is a big issue. When we see stick thin models in magazines with huge breasts. It gives girls the wrong idea in life. I've seen many girls who do not fit that image who I think could easily be models. Beauty is only skin deep.

Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?

I guess if they want to be famous because of the idiots who only want thin, exotic looking, big breasted girls, which is totally wrong. That is discrimination. In love, no. Beauty should not get in the waty of love. If a guy doesnt go for a girl because she isnt pretty then he is very shallow. She may not look like barbie, but he may have a beautiful personality. Same with luck, everyone is lucky in some way.


Another issue is plastic surgery, would you change your body that way? I have been thinking about a boob job recently...its probably because I look up to Katie Price (Jordan) and feel I need to fit her image, but I'm being stupid I guess. I wouldn't rule out botox when I hit my middle years either. How about you?

I have low self-esteem and this is an interesting topic to be looking at, but I can't really answer those questions except for the one point Kierra brought up.

Actually I'd love to age gracefully like some of the actresses who show their wrinkles to the world proudly.Having botex would only lead to more complications and horrible skin in the future too...

My very short repy. Will come back when I think of more :D

WOOT!

How is beauty defined? It's defined by our culture. For example, a woman once came to our school to speak and she was from Africa. She told us about how in her country it was considered beautiful for women to have armpit hair. Basically, it's just the way we're brought up that defines what we see as beautiful.

Who decides? People that hire models. When you see a girl on a make-up ad, you're supposed to want to be just like her so you buy the product. You're trained to see girls on tv and in magazines as beautiful. Again, it's our culture.

Why do we want to be beautiful? Like Kierra said, to be accepted into society. Also, most girls want to be the girl that all of the guys want to hook up with.

How far are we willing to go to achieve it? Again, like Kierra said, plastic surgery, which in my mind is pretty disgusting.

How important is beauty in your envoronment Well, I don't think my friends really care all that much. I've been fortunate enough to find people that are more concerned with people's personality than their looks. But at school there's still tons of pressure to be cute and perky and pretty and such.

Is life easier for the beautiful Absolutely. On one of those news shows like Dateline or 20/20 or whatever they had people who were models apply for jobs and ask for directions and drop things and they got a lot better help and people were nicer to them than they were to just the average people that they got to do the same things.

How is beauty defined?

I think in society beauty is defined quite simply - good shape, good face. And I gotta say in a way that is true - though for me the radience plays a big role too.


Why do we want to be beautiful?

Society accepts ppl better when they are beautiful, things are easier to achieve and stuff.


How far are we willing to go to achieve it?

That is a kinda difficult question. My mom used to say "Who wants to be beautiful must learn to suffer" (or something like that), back then it was about the knots in my hair and I was like who the fuck... not that I swore like that with 6 but what the fuck ;), anyway I was like who the fuck wan't to be beautiful anyway?!
Then I got to puperty and for a while I even tried to make myself bulimic - luckily (or unfortunately how I esteemed it back then) It just doesn't work for me.
But what maybe about eyebrow plugging, that shit bloody hurts but we do it to look the part, or heels - or like ppl said plastic surgery...


How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?

Hmmm i like being around smart ppl, I just realized now that all my closer friends are really pretty... so no idea!


Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?

Definately. But that's ok, I like smashing down prejudices ;).
When ppl look at me they seem to think I am dumb, because they normally can't believe it that I have almost only a's.



guh, I am so tired...

Oh jeez. Today's standards of beauty are fucked up. Excuse my language.

As y'all know, I'm a guy. Yeah, I've got muscles, but I'm 5'1" and I'm not really the epitome of the masculine image. My entire life I've struggled with trying to look "right". I've been anorexic, bulemic, obsessed with working out, I've overdosed on the steroids I already take for medical reasons... I've been truly obsessed with trying to be "normal" looking.

Only recently have I begun to realize that my life should not center around the way I look. I am only just now being classified as a recovered anorexic, as opposed to a recovering anorexic or just plain anorexic. I don't struggle with what I eat, I don't spend hours in front of the mirror wishing I were someone else... I don't care whether or not I'm beautiful.

Unfortunately, most people aren't as lucky as I am when it comes to their self-image. The way most people feel about themselves is dictated by models, celebrities, trends... there are a million specific example I could come up with. Fad diets, fashion, music... it's all affecting how people feel about themselves and the respect people give to one another.

It's a crazy world.

Like Logan, I was anorexic from the age of 15 - 17, and it was partly because of "the beauty thing" and also because I rarely become hungry, and I did forget to eat. I recovered physically, but mentally I have yet to recover - will I? I don't know. I'm having big doubts, since at 22 I still have nightmares about it and feel like I'm slipping back in - a big fear of mine. I guess time will only tell.

This is a tricky topic for me that I normally NEVER ever talk to others about. I don't mind debating political or ethical issues until I'm blue in the face, because generally they are not about me!!

Beauty is most definately defined by culture...unfortunately "Western" culture is fucked up completely. One of my best friends is 5'11", blonde, blue eyed and very athletic. When we were little kids, I desperately wanted her straight blonde hair, as opposed to my curly red hair b/c everyone told me blonde hair was better. (I have since gotten over that and I love my hair). Coincidentally, recently she told me that she wanted my hair when we were growing up!!

I have had a weight problem most of my life. I still love clothes and still like to be dressed up nice and everything - I'm not what most people would probably call obese, but you know, I'm no size 6 or whatever. My mom is more overweight, and it TERRIFIES me to no end that one day I will end up like her. She wasn't that much overweight until she had kids, so as a child, I NEVER wanted children b/c they make you fat. In grade 4 this guy (Drew) came up to me in class and told me that he and some others had voted me the "4th fattest girl in our class". Ugh. I guess I have had that thought in my head since then. *sigh*

I never feel beautiful - ever. It's really hard for me to see any good points. Just the hair. ^_^ But I could make a HUGE list of the things that I hate. However, I have never been anorexic or bulimic luckily - my mom was always like...you need to eat, and would ask me if I was eating. Truthfully, I liked food too much to not eat!! Though I did have thoughts when I was younger, and still even now at the very rare occasion. But the problem (or blessing I guess) is that I know exactly what it would do to me, and I would rather be unattractive than sick. Because I have big plans for my future.

IMO, people who are 'attractive' have it easier. Feeling unattractive is a paralyzing thing for your confidence...I would never approach a guy and ask him out. I figure the only way a guy wants to date me is if he gets to know me first as a friend - so it's not all about looks at first. I avoid doing certain things where I would feel vulnerable. Saying that, though, I have become much much more outgoing in university and I have mostly adopted the idea of 'screw you' if you can't like me for me. Guess it's a bit of a charade though, cause I still want people to like me. So yeah, anyway, I think being attractive helps your confidence and therefore helps you out in love.

I think I like school because mostly it is my intelligence that is being judged. Of course, I was the kid with the glasses, so OF COURSE I was smart, right? Whatever. I kind of fit the stereotype, because I was a very good student in elementary and highschool. In university, everyone is smart. And in this environment, it's your ability to think, not your measurements, that count. I like that. But now I have to work extra hard to make people think I am smarter so that I'm not just the 'averagely smart' not very attractive girl. Because all the time I was growing up, being the smart kid was what I had, and that was it. I think I can be funny and loyal and everything, but only my closest friends know THAT. For everyone else, it seems they will judge me on either my looks or my mind. And since they won't think I'm pretty, I will have to be smart.
For other jobs, I guess being attractive would help. But for my field, where everyone is in a lab coat (and we all know that's sexy) or mucking around in shit...it doesn't really matter.

How far would I go?
Maybe plastic surgery...like liposuction. But again, I know the risks and the negative parts, so I'm hesitant. Plus...I don't have the money for that. Of course, I exercise and I don't eat horrible food...but that doesn't always work.

I don't pick friends because they are beautiful (but I do think they are beautiful people). As I always say, I go for quality not quantity. If they are good people and can make me laugh and help me when I'm hurt, then I am sold. I never was the kind of person who wanted to bicker about stupid small things, so I try not to hang around with people who are petty. And that includes pettiness about looks. I don't think attractiveness is important in my environment, because I have sculpted my environment to be accepting and friendly. On the other hand, my mom's weight has always been a thing at our house...I don't care how she LOOKS, but what I do care about is having a mom to give me away if I ever get married. :cry: And my dad makes comments to her, because he thinks it will help her lose weight, but it just makes her sad. :cry:

I guess I just wish that people would not judge others by how they fit into society's giant mold. *sigh* - because it's getting really old really fast. :unsure:

Amen to that.

Seriously, there is barely anything to add for me.
despite that I have to say I kinda get tired of being smart because it seems to be only another reasons for guys to stay away from me. Not that I would want to be with those, really I don't, but just a bit attention would do some good to my self-confidence ;)

But being the fat prodigy, not that I am, but ppl seem to see that in me, just sucks because I really never know is it friendship pl want from me or help in math...
But that really has nothing to do with beauty anymore...


The weird thing is when my friends finally convince me to go to a disco or something I do get male attention, really - but well never those I really want...
Because I am way to picky considering my looks ;)

Yup...a little attention goes a loooooooooooong way ^_^

ehhheee :) indeed

so you do call them discos! or disko or whatever. sorry. we learned that in german class last year and translated directly into english it sounds weird.


yeah, being smart does kind of suck in a way. i mean, we'll get better, or at least higher paying, jobs i hope (except for those models and actresses <_<) but when you're smart people always tend to think of you as the standard pocket-protector computer geek. especially when you're like me and not all that great looking either.

at 5' 6" i weigh 107 on average and there are even times when i feel huge. that's how much our society stresses on SKINNY SKINNY SKINNY! and when 107 feels big, that's just really really sick.

There's this line which I both agree with and hate.

"There are no such things as ugly women; just lazy ones."


Yup, no ugly women, but having to moan over your skin and weight all day long is kind of superficial isn't it?

Women have to compete with one another in this time and space, and I don't really like it. Just an hour ago, I logged onto the computer to find two messages sent to me by two guys in Friendster.com It's this program where you can look for and link your friends and so on, and I just changed my display picture on that site to a recent one of mine.

Actually I blame the opposite sex for the beauty-consciousness we have nowadays (no offence). Sure, the vanity is within us (everyone of us, including men) but for it to rear its ugly head... Well...


I'm actually trying to go on a diet, and it's not a healthy one. Been eating chocolates these few days instead of meals, so it's kind of a crazy cycle. I might actually end up fatter than before :( *sighs*

Hehe... then I am defionately one of the lazy ones :)
Seriously I am, in every blookdy aspect of life... not very disciplined... :lalala:

But the saying is so mean, I mean there are also lazy men! LOTS of them!

@ Chapstick - I know what you mean.

I'm 5'7"/170 cm and 110-120lb, 49-51kg and this one day, my mom goes "Hmm. Look at the tummy." I looked. So I had gotten a little fatter. But honestly, I was at that stage where I was about to blow up at my mom because parents aren't supposed to call their children fat. Unfortunately, that put some thoughts about whether or not I really am fat in my head. Fortunately, I love food too much. But that's not the point. The point is, even people like are parents are starting to criticize, and when I think about it, that really isn't fat. This world...*sigh*

Like you eve my family and friends say stuff llike that to me. I don't wanna name who said what though.
"You talk to people on the internet, but if they could really see you..." *they raise eyebrows* <That really upset me.
Get your fat ass out the way!" *pushes me to the side me out the way*<Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
"You can't be bothered to lean down and get your own flippin pen out your bag. Get off your fat ass and get your own pen!"<Didn't even have one in bag.

I'm very self consious. People are always comenting on me. I try not to wrorry but sometimes, it's too hard. Like this boy tapped me on the shoulder in one of my lessons and said "Did you fall out the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down." I raised my eyebrows and gave him the finger. Two minutes later he asked my friend the same question. (Who is really pretty by the way) She started crying and i was trying my best not to cry. I managed not to. But my friend just ran out the room crying.

I self harmed recently to try and escape the pain that ran through my brain. My friend helped me and a few friends online. When I know that I have nowhere to turn there is always self harm or the internet. I talk to my friends online about it. They help. Even if I loose all my friends where I live I'll still have online friends. Online friends don't judge or yell. They help and comfort you.

My looks are constantly getting me down. But I guess that's a part of life. Nothing changes. There's always going to be at east one person who gives you a hard time over your looks. Usually the one you fear most is yourself.

How is beauty defined?

Beauty should be defined by the individual, and the individual alone. Unfortunately, our society has developed into one that sells our image, it sells beauty. Why should ewe buy something that is for free? It seems that beauty is more focused on the woman. You know, its sad, because at one time, a more overweight woman was preferred. This symbolised health, and fertility. So, it makes me wonder, have we really come so far from our oppression? Or are we as women still oppressed. Way back when, we were stereotyped to only be housewives, to be lesser than men, and here we are, still worrying if we are good enough, worrying if we still fit the bill. We are oppressing ourselves, bringing ourselves back down, and regressing ourselves because we are still striving to be something more when we are perfect the way we are.

Who decides?

Like I said, the general masses decide what being beautiful is. Yes, there is the rare case in our westernized world where beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, and not through a television screen or rather camera lense. Women who strive for this beauty are also the ones who decide what is beautiful, because we are the ones who are basically agreeing that this manufactured, impossible, above average appearance is what is beautiful. We as people are continuously raising the bar for what beauty is. We need a revolution here ladies and gents.


Why do we want to be beautiful?

Well, who wants to be known as the ugly, fat one? Those words are harsh, and whether we choose to recognise it or not, words leave scars across our very souls, and guess what?? Scars are considered ugly anyways, so why not avoid them? Basically, we want to fit the standard. We want to be considered beautiful, because in my opinion, nothing feels better than looking in the mirror, and knowing that people think you are gorgeous. Let me tell you, I have very few days like that, being moderately overweight myself. Why wouldn't we want to be beautiful?


How far are we willing to go to achieve it?

I personally have considered lyposuction, but of course will never get it. I don't need to put myself through the torture. BUt I think everyone at one time or another has wondered if they are an appropriate candidate for that tv show called Extreme Makeover. For me, I am only willing to do a few crunches a night, no live off of heavy heavy junkfood(which I ADORE), and I buy some pretty expensive makeup. But at the end of the day, I feel good about myself..or my face and hair at least lol.


How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?

I grew up always being picked on for my weight. I can't physically eat vegetables or drink milk because they are so rank to the taste that I wouldn't even be able to swallow them. So, my eating habits have never been superb. ANyways, my family was always throwing hints at me that I should lose weight, that I was fat, etc. My friends however, never said anything about my weight and were always complimenting me for my hair and makeup and stuff, and the weight issue was never...an issue. But for me personally, I know I could be smaller, but I'm too damn lazy. But, for my family, they're all in pretty good health I guess, but...meh.


Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?


For love, most definitely. I think that a person has to have some physically attractive qualities in order to attract a member of the opposite, or same sex. I personally, could not fall in love with someone that I wasn't attracted to in one way or another, and I know that sounds shallow, but I simply lack the proper phrasing for it to sound "politically correct." But then again, I always look around and all I see are beautiful couples. I look at the media, and all I see are movie stars with models, and singers with actors, and all that. You don't see many famous people dating just the average Jill or Joe, and so that makes us think that we have to look a certain way for our knight in shining armour. I don't know..

Luck in my opinion is a state of mind. Like Kierra said, everyone is lucky in one way or another, whether on a large or small scale.

As for a job, I think that looks for a good portion of the time have a lot to do with getting the job. But then again, it depends on what kind of job you are going for, and what kind of idiot prick is doing the hiring lol.

Beauty.... God.. I don't know. lol.

How is beauty defined?

For me beauty has no definition since it is based in perosnal beliefs and concepts if you know what I mean. it all is part of the subjective part of the human being, it is the capacity of feeling touched by everything that's around you, is how sensible you are to the essence (the real essence) of things. Can't help but think of beauty as a poetical thing. I may think something is beautiful cuz it touched me in some feeling or some memory but someone would think it is ugly, it'a all about perception and sensibility besides it all is in the personal experiences and your point of view, we all are different so everything is beautiful in a way.

Who decides?
Is not a matter of choice really... You can't choose what you like by a rational thought, you just like it without tinking 'I'm gonna like this' You just notice you like something, then you can't deny...

Why do we want to be beautiful?

If we talk about being beautiful physically I think it goes in the stereotypes (esp in women, so go to sandra's thread, it is cool). We cannot be perfect, we cannot be beautiful (it is my fatalist conception) but we are not ugly. I don't know why does that word exists, are thing that are not 'nice' to the human eyes but it doesn't mean they are ugly... Something ugly is something deplorable and without a purpose for me. We all have something beautiful, maybe our eyes, our hair... What do i know, we have something beautiful in our bodies, we do beautiful things with our bodies: we paint, we play instruments, we create, we breed, we caress, we touch, we feel. The perfection of the human body is so great that I do not see why you look for beauty in other statements. If you look for the look of the stereotype man or woman you're wrong, that's not a real model. You should look for beauty in the things you create and do the rest is fatuous...


How far are we willing to go to achieve it?

If we continue with the stereotype topic maybe when we feel like we look like the models or actresses made up by entertainment, personally my ideal ob beauty is being happy with the things I have, if I can improve myself I'll be beautiful, but in my own way.


How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?

Sadly in journalism the stereotype is settled and I have to tace care of my image, look artificial and do artificial stuff. Perosnally I think that's something we have to change. I ask; why people thinks that people who's fat or has an impediment doesn't have the right to be in the media, and if they are they just make a fool of themselves and after a while they turn in to the slim and well-shaped models (example? Anna Nicole Smith the stupid bitch). Personally I do not see they are ugly, they are like that because they are like that or wanna be like that! The problem is that they are taken by the mud ad think they do not look fine in the way they look, stupid conception in my opinion. it kis one of the sins of jouralism and media, thing that I hate...

In my family and friends we do not care about it, I mean... Will you stop being my friend just because you do not look like Liv Tyler? I do not look for beauty in a person, i look for intelligence (mind beauty) and inner beauty, your soul, that is what makes you beautiful, but saldy in this material world we all are forgetting it's real meaning. (notice I put the word WE)

Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?
Well it is, sadly it is, it opens doors (of bedrooms first, then job doors) and gives you money, the only interest of human being by now, power and control, instead of the humanist ideals (I'm an idealistic person, not on the rational wave)...

Here's an unusual perspective.

Not everyone is beautiful, inside OR out. People who are physiclly attractive do have it a little bit easier, socially. That doesn't mean that looks mean anything, much less everything.

I'm a gorgeous woman. More petite than is fashionable (5'2'', and an A cup), but with long, soft hair that starts out nearly black and sun-bleaches to a deep bronze; a slender, graceful figure; striking, finely drawn face; and eyes that change from silver to deep jewel tones of blue, green, and violet to match my mood (or occasionally my clothes). All that is as obvious and important to me as 2+2=4. I know it and I don't give a damn.

I was abused by my mother and her boyfriend/husband for 4 years, starting when I was 10. I don't want to go into detail here, suffice to say that each of the few times I've told someone the heavier stuff, it gave them nightmares. My mother was the worse of the two by far, not least because she was my mother. Up until she left my father for her "perfect man" I absolutely worshipped her, and all of a sudden she was a monster. She was EVIL.

I look just like the bitch. Only my eyes are my own - hers are brown. No matter how far I've come, no matter how much I heal or grow or learn, every day I wake up and look in the mirror and wish I could just rip that lovely face right off my skull.

At the same time, I love to look good. I'll spend hours shopping for one outfit because everything has to be just right - the fit, the cut, the weight and texture of the fabric, the precise color all have to be perfect, or I "won't waste my money". andthat's just for a sweater. I don't often get all dolled up, but I do get a kick out of turning heads just walking to the corner store in my slippers (unless my son is with me, but that's a different topic). If I actually put in some effort it's even better. When I'm in a relationship I really get off on how my lover reacts to my beauty, though that's the only time it actually matters to me. The rest of the time it's mostly a source of amusement, watching men fall over themselves to impress me (when you take public transit EVERYWHERE that gets freakin' hilarious. Or scary). It's almost like high fashion, worthless except for its effect on others.

It's surreal, knowing how beautiful I am in that detatched, critical way even while totally loathing the monster I see in my own reflection, wonderinng how much of her lingers where I can't see. You can't imagine the nightmares I've had about her terrorizing the people I care about only to realize it was me all along.

So, anyway, my point is that I don't think that whether or not you're physically beautiful, average, or flat-out ugly is what self esteem is based on. A person can be rich, beautiful, with the perfect life and a genius and STILL miserable. "We all have our crosses to bear" is a cliche because it's true. We all hit the highs and the lows and collect baggage and try to make it better. Extremity may vary, but even if the most miserable you've ever been was hearing there's no Santa, it still felt like the end of the world at the time.

Oh, blueeyedangel? Self- mutilation is as addictive as any drug and a hell of a lot harder to quit (because you can't ever get away from it. I know; I've been there. I won't lecture you any more than that, but if you ever want to talk, I'll be here.

How is beauty defined?
Everybody has a different spin on what they think is beautiful. It's not defined. It can't be because it is a too board of a subject
Who decides?
Ourselves. We believe different things are beautiful
Why do we want to be beautiful?
To be admired and to feel good about ourselves
How far are we willing to go to achieve it?
In today's society we have gone as far as plastic surgery
How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?
it's important, but not important. If that makes sence. Everything is beautiful, but not everyone sees it.
Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?
not really, it may help in the short term. If you get hired for a job on your looks and are terrible at it you will get fired not too long after.

Everyone is beautiful!

True beauty comes from inside!!


How is beauty defined?

I think they are 2 ways in which beauty is defined. You have a generall opinion about what is beautiful. This is defined by the society in which we live. A society that says that everyone has to be beautiful and if you are not you are a loser. To prevent from being called a loser you have to buy and do all kind of things to increase your beauty. It is a society that says: be young, be beautiful, be succesfull...and so buy everything you can to have this or be a loser. Not being beautiful equals being a loser cause by a society that only wants to make you consumate as much as possible.

And there is beauty that everyone defines for him/herself. What I find beautiful does not mean everyone finds beautiful. For example: I think Elijah's big eyes are beautiful but not everyone thinks so...there is thus difference. Your personal option about what you think is beautiful is not only based on the outside but also on the inside...on how you perceive people, if you like them or not.

Who decides?

Based on what I said before there isn't an easy answer to that. Our general image of what we perceive as beautiful is created by the media and advertising. They tell us what we must find beautiful...describe as it where a kind of format about what confinds itself to the term beautiful. Most people will hartily agree with that...but not everyone. In the end it is up to you what you think as beautiful.

Why do we want to be beautiful?

Because we don't want to be called losers. Beauty is not only something most people want it is something you must have. It is a creed that is dictated. It is made to be a new god. Beauty is everything...if you listen to the media....cause beauty stands not only for beauty but also for being young, succesfull, populair, smart and all that.

How far are we willing to go to achieve it?

Well judging by programs as Extreme make over people are willing to go very far for being beautiful. What always strikes me is this sentence that almost everyone of the participants say: I will be a complete new person. What they really are saying is that making them beautiful will change dramatically...and why do they think that? Because they see the image the media gives them. They think that once they are beautiful they also will be: populair, succesful, attractive for everyone, more self assured. It pains me to say it but they will find out that it is not true. Beauty doesn't make you happy or any of those things...maybe it will make you feel a bit better about yourself. But in the end...real self esteem comes from the inside...believe in yourself comes from the inside...not from your perfectly corrected nose. And as long as you realise that feel free to change whatever you want about yourself. Just know why you do it.

How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?

Well I am not a beautiful girl...never was, never will be. I have been bullied about that for a big part of my life. It made me miserabel...it was my whole world. The fact that I was not pretty was something that kept me occupied 24 hours per day, seven days per week. It's very hard if you hear from the age 7 till 17 that you are ugly and not worth anything. That nobody would ever find you attractive. It was a long road before I could see that or I could be miserable my whole life over that or I could accept myself for what I was and am. I have decided for the last and I feel a whole lot happier now. My friends and family accept and love me....for who I am. Of course I would be lying if I said I don't want to be prettier but I am not and I accept it.

Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?

According to some tests they have done all over the world those who are prettier find a job easier and get treated nicer...it just shows that the majority of the people are just plain stupid.

How is beauty defined?
I think the world an I have opposing views. I can think of a thousand was someone or something is beautiful. Society may measure it in bra sizes and yearly income.

Who decides?
We would all be happier if we decided for ourselves but saddly, many of us tend to let others be the judge.

Why do we want to be beautiful?
To attract a mate, be noticed, envied, worshipped.

How far are we willing to go to achieve it?
Depends on ther person. I would never get plastic surgery unless it was simply reconstruction (such as after an accident or having a breast lift after breast feeding). Other than that, I will age as I age and just be happy with myself.

How important is beauty in your envoronment (family, friends)?
It varies. My boyfriend tells me that he loves the way I look, my cousin is superficial and wants to change me but we still get along, and not many others seem to care what I do with my body/hair/makeup etc. I think that anyone who judges me on just physical beauty isn't worth my time.

Is life easier for the beautiful (job, love, luck etc.)?
I'm sure it depends. Beauty can make it hard for people, such as Elijah Wood, to have private lives. Another problem with being attractive is that you may never be sure if you're liked because of who you are or how you look.

The way I see it...don't give a sh*t about what other people think because as long as you respect yourself, no one can touch you.
God knows I ain't the prettiest thing on this Earth, but I respect myself...I try to be a nice person and be a good friend, daughter, sister, aunt, girlfriend, so...as long as you're a good person, it doesn't matter how you look and people who think it does aren't worth your time...

-Andie