I have never been a makeup connoisseur…. The idea of waking up even earlier than I have to in order to apply makeup exhausts me. But I just might have to start wearing makeup because according to a recent study posted in The Washington Post, women who are more attractive get paid more money. Twenty percent more, to be exact! The study was conducted by sociologists Jaclyn Wong and Andrew Penner, and together they explored the longtime question; what does it mean to be attractive?
It turns out that being “attractive” is different depending on the gender. Shocker! For women, being attractive has more to do with grooming. Meaning…is your hair styled nice, does your makeup look good, is your outfit on POINT? An attractive women is someone who is put together nicely! So I suppose I should stop relying on my natural beauty to shine through my every day work out clothes.
Wong and Penner concluded that “for men, only about half of the effect of attractiveness is due to grooming.” Once again, shocker! Men can roll into work with wrinkled clothes and untamed hair and no one would be the wiser. It’s sad that so much weighs on the way women present themselves.
And it’s more than just looks for us, women have to behave in a certain way that’s attractive to their employers. “Most research and most people tend to see attractiveness as a fixed, innate trait, but the researchers say it’s more accurate to think of it as a combination of biological traits, personality characteristics and beauty practice,” wrote Ana Swanson, writer for The Washington Post.
I would prefer to live in a world where my physical beauty doesn’t factor in to how much I make. It’s crazy to think that someone who is more “average” looking would make less than someone who puts more focus on how they look. I don’t think there is anything wrong with making sure you look your best. But, should you get paid more money because of that?
Dont hate me, just because I’m beautiful. I think this article is a little misleading. And it’s attached to a false social stigma that propetuates woman to inherently dislike other attractive woman. Many people will say, as this article also implies, that attractive woman get things handed to them, their life is easy and they dont have to work at it they’re simply handed it all. I hear this in conersations amoungst woman all the time. And i work with and am friends with very beautiful people.
Many people truly belive attractive people get things handed to them. And that is just not true at all. The article does not focus on, but should, what author Ann Swanson wrote inside it, stating (“but the researchers say it’s more accurate to think of it as a combination of biological traits, personality characteristics and beauty practice,”) this right here tells you that it’s not good looks alone. It takes looks mixed with class, a good sense of style, proper grooming and a charismatic personality. That’s a lot! And a person who stands out from the rest because they possess all of these traits, deserves to be noticed. Because chances are they are probably an extraordinary person. I know I would like a person with this description working for, or representing me.
So are we all jealous? I say yes we are, with good reason. However,the problem occures when we use it as an excuse thats attached to our own lack of effort. Because all of these attributes are equally obtainable and/or can be practiced. But it does indeed take work that some cant or don’t seem to want to invest.
So i believe, saying “it’s her looks” is unfair and untrue. I think we tell ourselves this to feel comfortable but in fact, It’s more likely that she does actually have it all. She worked at it, put it all together, wrapped it in a bow and carries it extraordinarily well.
But lets stop pretending its an elite club when it’s clearly an equal opportunity for most.
I couldn’t agree with you more Cyndi! Well said we love your feedback!!!
Thanks for the comments…I think Jordan did a good job of bringing up the issue without casting a strong opinion about it. I also think that many people, like yourself, are above this and can see past the surface of a person to their full value but there’s still a lot of truth to the article. -ed.