A New Ad By Dove Is Changing The Way Beauty Needs To Be Perceived
"The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but is reflected in her soul." - Audrey Hepburn
Going by this quote, it is clear that beauty doesn't conform to just the outside appearance but depends also on how you conduct yourself. However, reflect for a minute and go back to the nursery rhyme-
"Chubby Cheeks, Dimple Chin,
Rosy Lips, Teeth Within
Curly Hair, Very Fair,
Eyes Are Blue
Lovely Too,
Teacher's Pet
Is That You?"
Isn't it strange that since childhood, we have been told and retold how beauty is limited to being 'fair', having 'rosy lips' and 'curly hair.' The idea has been sowed so deep within us that we cannot imagine beauty beyond the colour, looks, and apperance of a person. A new ad by Dove questions this very revered rhyme in the most poignant way. The ad - with the rhyme playing in the background- shows strong women working hard to achieve their dreams, marching forward after a fall, and championing each goal a day. The stark contrast being presented through the ad is a reminder to every women out there on how we have had enough of body shaming and standing on the false benchmark of beauty standards. With one 'No' in the end, the ad nails it.
"It is essential that the popular idea of beauty is a healthy one. When my daughter was in her toddler years, and going through her 'nursery-rhyme-phase', I felt terrible about her having to grow up placing such artificial ideals on beauty. I think it is very important for these falsified ideas to change and for young children, boys and girls to see beauty as something more than a skin colour, or a waist size, or a body shape," says Hyderabad-based Malini Gopalakrishnan, parent to six-year-old Aadya. She adds that "as caregivers and parents, we owe it to our children to teach them that any standard-of beauty or happiness or success is defined by the 'self'. They should celebrate in themselves and their children, individuality as opposed to any pre-set media-endorsed standard." Pavithra Charan, another parent and entrepreneur from Chennai says, "One must learn to see beauty in everyone. It depends on how you cultivate your thoughts and by learning that your act of kindness is the real beauty."
As kids, we have often come across discrimination from the very community or society that we belong to. Be it on the basis of our colour, hair, or body, we are made aware of the fact that we are 'different' from others. "It doesn't matter to which part of India you belong, that beauty is dependent on 'looks' and 'appearances' is so engraved in the minds of every being that we forget to acknowledge beauty is ageless and cannot be demarcated," says Priyanka Wali, an NGO worker from Delhi. "Being a Kashmiri, there were certain looks that I had to adhere to. However, since I never fit 'those ideal' Kashmiri looks, I was always looked upon as if there was something wrong with me," she adds.
Since beauty is a parameter taken to judge everything nowadays, the word is losing its meaning. What is beautiful to one may not be beautiful to another. Yet, time and again, we have been forced to think about our appearances rather than focusing on excelling in the work we do. "Being on the darker side, I have been constantly taunted by people, chided by family to stay indoors, counselled by few to use 'lightening'creams, all in order to get fair. At first, it made me self-conscious. But it wasn't long before it dawned on me that it isn't the skin colour or appearance that delineates beauty, it is what shines through the superficial and onto this judgmental society," says Srithi Sivakumar, a first year college student from Chennai.
We talked to a couple of Times NIE students on what beauty meant to them and if they have encountered any discrimination based on their appearance...
I strongly belive that beauty is defined by what the person is on the inside. Earlier, I would be called Pinnochio as I have a long nose. But over the years, I did not let that affect me and retort - "so what? Atleast I'm different." When those who teased me realised it didn't bother me anymore, they stopped. We must start learning to love ourselves first and speak up if we are being judged or teased on our appearance.
Hitanshi Thakkar, class IX, New Horizon Public School, Navi Mumbai
Beauty is a complex play of both personality and looks; with personality playing a very major role. Why do one need a strong jawline or sharp cheekbones when s/he can easily cut with his/her words (?) In our world, teasing students because they aren't 'normal' is very prominent. What we need to realize is that nothing actually fits the criteria of 'normal.'
Hansfred Vaiphei, class XII, Army Public School, Delhi
For me, beauty lies in the simplest of things. Though I have myself gone onto judge people on the basis of how they look despite trying to control myself. I think it stems from the fact that everyone has in some point of life been discriminated and judged. I have been made fun of by my classmates in childhood for my height and weight. Unless we do not stop from judging people on how they look, we will never be able to see the real beauty in the person.
Sana Tanveer, class IX, Sherwood Hall, Chennai
Beauty varies from place to place. I think it is better if 20 years down the line we are remembered for the work we have done that how we appeared on the outside. I have been a victim of ugly vs beautiful many times. I think what matters is your conduct and not how you appear to be. Beauty should be a reflection of who you are on the inside. The prettier you are on the inside, the more it shows on your face.
Samiksha Manoj, class X, AMM Matriculation, Chennai
Beauty lies in the internal strength and determination, working hard to achieve and excel. It is like gold, whose purity increases as much as its heated. Being a dark complexioned girl, I have often been given 'advice' by people around that I wouldn't find a suitable 'groom' if I don't work on my appearances. Strange, how they have never asked me to excel in my work. I think every girl needs to be told that ' a girl with pretty face and perfect groom is a myth.'
Purthi Jain, class XII, DPS Dwarka, Delhi
It is not just the looks that make a person beautiful. A person needs to be honest and helpful from within. Though I have never gone through any discrimination on the basis of my looks, my best friend has been teased a number of times for her short height. So much so that it has led her to depression. I have been trying to get her out of this cocoon.
Ishika Gupta, class X, SD Public School, Delhi
Who is to be blamed for setting such superficial standards of beauty? The onus lies on everyone in the society to ensure that the youngsters are taught about the real meaning of beauty and not just what has been passed on to them over the years.
Here is what the counsellors have to say to the teachers as well as the students:
Body image is a huge issue among children nowadays. From colour to height, children are getting introduced to body image issues since an early age. What they need to understand is that true image is your inner beauty and not what you see on face. A person is attracted towards someone by the way they speak or conduct themselves and not just by how they look or appear. Students should keep in mind that:
- There is no one standard of beauty
- Look at the personality and not just the appearance
- Have attraction towards the passion of a person and work towards achieving or improving it
Meanwhile, teachers too have a role to play in ensuring youngsters are not introduced to false sense of beauty.
- Don't be partial to a child who is 'fair'
- Encourage and bring inclusiveness
- Identify the strength of every individual and appreciate their efforts, be it those who are at the forefrunt or those who are in the background
- Discourage competition at every level
Magdalene Jeyarathnam, counsellor, Chennai
Make the children and students beautiful by helping them strengthening the believes in their existing beauty. Help them acknowledge their strenghts, the love they carry, the care, the resilience so that they can be more beautiful. This is how they will define themselves in life. Real beauty is your vibes, kindness, thankfulness.
Jaya Bhateja, counsellor, Delhi
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