We’ve all been in the “adolescence” period and
it very likely that some of us might stay in that process forever. It is said
that it last from 13 to 20 or 25, it will depend on the theorist; however there
are certain characteristics that allows us to recognize a teenager or a “spirit of teenager” person, such the search for identity, the necessity to
find a friend who supports your point of view, the idea that we are almost
always right and we do not care about
other’s opinions, but inside they really do as well as a feeling of
uncertainty.
In Ghost World by Daniel Clowes, I would say that Enid and Rebecca, at the beginning of the comic, are still seeking for their identities
as individuals. An example of this is when Enid changes her hair to green,
provoking negative responses from people around her. Also, they play a mean
joke on Seymour, a middle-aged vinyl record collector who also has some issues
getting well with people.
Part of the growing-up process is to leave
friends from the past, being independent and autonomous when making decisions,
but are our decision really based on values and our real convictions or prejudices?
Media has helped to introduce in our minds even more prejudices every day. The
idea that appearance determines who we are has been imposed unconsciously through
media.
After watching the video, let me ask
you, would you treat this man in the same way if you see him as homeless and if
you see as a “businessman” as a result of his transformation? Do we judge as
television does?
Is it a coincidence that teenagers spend hours editing
their pictures for facebook and watching makeup tutorials on the internet? Guess what? No!!!! Appearance is
so important in our society that Photoshop programs and makeup have become the BFF of most
women. Are you woman that cannot leave home your makeup? And you guys, do you
prefer a woman with or without makeup?
Here are some
examples of the miracles of Photoshop and makeup.
As a final thought, I would say that almost nobody
is either as beautiful as his/her propile picture on
Facebook nor as ugly as he/she looks in his/her ID.
This society has a certain fixation with appearances. Almost everybody is embarrassed about his/her picture in the ID card or the infamous TNE photo. But I do not think that this has anything to do with being superficial. We, as human beings, are quite visual. For example, if the food that it is served in our plate is not well presented, probably we would not be eager to eat it. The way in which things or people look, provokes a reaction in others. So it is important to take care of ourselves and our surroundings. The problem is when this becomes the central and most important part of our lifes. Our identity should not be defined by how do we look. And even though appearances are relevant when looking for a job, when serving a dish or whatever, we must be careful on how do we deliver this message to teenagers who tend to turn the way they look, into the central aspect of their existence.
ResponderEliminarNowadays everything revolves around physical appearance. I believe not only teenagers are the ones "obsessed" with their looks, but also grown ups. It has become more and more common to see adults extremely worried about their physique, for example, men buying make up such as foundation, mascara or anti-ageing creams. Although some people say that "smart is the new sexy", it is hardly ever true, even for the ones who say it. Moreover, as Michelle said, physical appearance is important when it comes to looking for a job, mainly because it is true what they say, that first impressions are the most lasting, but the thing is that proverb has only become recurrent due to the change of mentality of the last decades, where appearance is thought to be of paramount importance.
ResponderEliminarI would like to reply to one of the questions you left on your post, regarding men's preferences for women when it comes to their appearance.
ResponderEliminarI concur with your ideas, in a broad sense, but I do not believe that make up is something to rely on. Make up appeared as a way to hide body imperfections, especially in the face, and has evolved -in my opinion- to become the simplest and most unnoticed mask of all times, which helps women and men to adopt a second identity, hiding not only physical flaws, but also the person’s problems, self-doubts, and even the good part of his/her personality; in order to look more attractive for those who would not pay attention to them without this so-called mask.
By the same token, the sense of identity and self-acceptance is completely lost, transforming the body of the one who uses make up into a fake and meaningless copy of what the person truly is, which could bring terrible consequences for anyone involved in a relationship with him/her, due to the unreal representation of the individual, and the non-existent knowledge of the person with whom I am sharing part of my life.
Taking all this into account, my answer to your question will be simple: I rather natural flaws than artificial perfection.