Do Attractive People Have It Easy? Exploring Impact Of Pretty Privilege On Women

How often have we acquainted ourselves with the notion of Pretty Privilege? It is easy for us to believe that a man or a woman who is deemed to be attractive by the conventional beauty standards has it easier in comparison to the ones who are not regarded charming by the societal norms of attractiveness, while the truth is there is a disparity in the way one perceives and treats a pretty person, whether it is getting better grades, passing the job interview, having easier access to opportunities, or growing up with more self-esteem and confidence as they are often told appraised for their looks by the ones surrounding them. But there is more than the surface level of pretty privilege and its advantages than we know, more often than not it is the internal bias and perceptions that one holds which gives rise to pretty privilege.

In this article, we dive deeper into the nuances of pretty privilege and how it intersects with the ancient roots of sexism and patriarchy as it continues its outrage on social media in the current times. 

How does Pretty Privilege work? 

Pretty Privilege if explained refers to the social perks and advantages that a person earns by being attractive by the societal beauty standards. Whether getting better opportunities to succeed in life or getting away with things that people who don't fit within the idealistic standards of beauty do, research has shown a myriad of instances where pretty privilege has led individuals to gain a better edge than others.

While the concept of "pretty" varies among individuals and cultures, there are common traits that are often associated with it. Typically, being considered pretty aligns with being thin, white, able-bodied, and cisgender; those who fit these ideals are more likely to receive the label and its associated advantages. Many young girls aspire to be recognised not just as girls but as pretty girls. Teenagers frequently grapple with issues related to their appearance, and this struggle is intensified by societal norms surrounding gender and the unrealistic beauty standards imposed on females.

Do attractive individuals ever grow weary of the compliments they receive in the comments on their Instagram posts? Is being conventionally good-looking and physically beautiful always a positive experience?

Research on appearance-related comments has primarily concentrated on women, as they receive significantly more compliments about their looks compared to men, who usually receive praise for their skills and competencies. This focus stems from societal norms rooted in patriarchy and heterosexual standards that highly value women's physical attractiveness. Women are often rewarded for conforming to conventional beauty standards, receiving benefits such as greater popularity, better marriage prospects, and economic advantages.

Consequently, many women find compliments on their appearance satisfying and sometimes empowering due to the associated rewards of looking conventionally attractive. However, as we dive deeper, these compliments may subtly contribute to gender inequality by diminishing recognition of women's accomplishments.

Unveiling the patriarchy and sexism that intersect with Pretty Privilege 

Women often face scrutiny regarding their appearance, particularly through the lens of the male gaze, which stems from patriarchal structures that promote the objectification and sexualisation of women as a means for men to exert control. This focus on a woman's looks can lead to trait self-objectification, where women become overly concerned with their external attributes as viewed by others.

According to objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts), this self-objectification indicates that women have internalized the harmful cultural belief that their value is based on how attractive they are to men. Even in casual discussions, women who are perceived as "conventionally attractive" express that being called pretty can become distressing, as they feel reduced to mere appearances, believing their worth is solely tied to their looks and lamenting the sensation of being treated as objects.

Research indicates that positive feedback from a romantic partner significantly influences body satisfaction in women with low self-esteem (McLaren). Compliments about being pretty are particularly meaningful to women when they feel they are the most attractive to someone who is romantically interested in them; otherwise, such compliments hold little value. Many women share that they valued compliments on their appearance more during times when they were feeling insecure about their looks. Initially, they sought these compliments to experience the validation they provided.

However, as their body image improved, they became more confident and less reliant on external validation. In non-romantic or professional contexts, compliments about appearance can be seen as a form of "subtle social policing," reflecting men's perceived right to judge women's looks.

A study by Fea and Brannon found that positive comments about appearance can reduce feelings of distress and sadness in women, particularly those with high appearance anxiety. Nonetheless, while receiving such compliments can temporarily ease anxiety, they may also increase body surveillance and dissatisfaction.

This phenomenon drives women to invest time and resources into enhancing their appearance, both financially and mentally. An interesting comparison can be made: compliments about appearance, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram, can act like a drug. They can be addictive, offering a surge of validation that boosts self-esteem. However, as the audience grows, so does the social pressure to meet expectations and continuously earn such compliments. Similar to how substance users develop a tolerance, women may find themselves needing more compliments to feel validated. 

This situation can create a paradox; while the compliments may remain appealing, the pressure to maintain physical attractiveness can be exhausting. This idea remains a hypothesis that has yet to be scientifically explored. The psychology behind comments on appearance is intriguing, yet rarely discussed. One possible explanation is that conventionally attractive individuals recognize their looks as a privilege and are reluctant to jeopardize it. They may see complaints about such “first-world problems” as trivial, as they would likely never opt to be considered unattractive. Additionally, expressing dissatisfaction about receiving compliments could lead to a backlash.

While everyone appreciates recognition, praise based solely on appearance can feel shallow and even degrading, with fleeting impact. Although compliments about looks, particularly those from men to women, may appear innocuous and courteous, they often reflect deeper patriarchal issues from psychological and sociological perspectives, reducing Pretty Privilege only to a phenomenon that objectifies women and undermines their abilities to achieve their goals, only telling the world that the only route to get ahead is by being pretty.

Views expressed by the author are their own