The culture of beauty

Gerdes, Louise I., 1953- (Added Author).

Summary: This volume examines how today's standards of attractiveness and plastic surgery techniques have changed in light of multicultural and global influences. It explores various related topics by presenting varied expert opinions that examine many of the different aspects that surround this issue. The viewpoints are selected from a wide range of highly respected and often hard-to-find sources and publications. Allows the reader to attain the higher-level critical thinking and reading skills that are essential in a culture of diverse and contradictory opinions.

Record details

ISBN: 9780737763102 (hardcover)
ISBN: 0737763108 (hardcover)
ISBN: 9780737763119 (pbk.)
ISBN: 0737763116 (pbk.)
Physical Description: print
191 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 24 cm.
Publisher: Detroit : Greenhaven Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, [2013]

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 178-180) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

How are standards of beauty established? Standards of beauty are determined by evolutionary biology / Glenn Wilson ; Facial beauty standards are universal while body beauty standards are cultural / Michal Brichacek and Robert Moreland ; Standards of beauty are increasingly influenced by the media / Deborah L. Rhode ; Market principles foster dangerous standards of beauty / Susie Orbach ; Western standards of beauty have spread via globalization / Yasmin Alibhai-Brown -- What impacts do ideals of beauty have on society? Women are judged on their appearance rather than on their competence / Natasha Walter ; Ideals of beauty need not hinder women / Raina Kelley ; Discrimination against unattractive people in the workplace is a problem / Deborah L. Rhode ; Attractiveness is necessary for some jobs / Mary Elizabeth Williams ; Media images of beauty hurt ethnic women / Lindsay Kite -- Should people strive for beauty? Striving for beauty is important / Amy Alkon ; The pursuit of beauty is harmful / Shari Graydon ; In a landmark paper just published in the prestigious "Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery," an innovative technique in African American rhinoplasty proves to preserve ethnicity, increase self-esteem / Biotech Week ; The risks of cosmetic surgery should not be ignored / Alexander Edmonds -- What are the societal effects of the beauty and fashion industries? Altered fashion magazine photographs contribute to unrealistic body images / Vivian Diller ; Altered fashion magazine photographs do not cause eating disorders / Carrie Arnold ; The fashion industry promotes eating disorders / Libby Rodenbough ; The media foster misplaced public concern about anorexia / Laurie Penny.