That's right, it's not just an element of American high school films; it happens in real life, too. And it completely baffles me.
What possesses people to think that it will be a good idea to imply to someone "Hey, you've got shit dress sense and look like a dog, so we're going to try and counter-act those factors"? That's right, it's a shit idea, and it always seems to be targeted towards those that are unsure of themselves in the first place. Let me tell you people some home truths: some basic cosmetic modification is not going to offset years of low self-esteem. Actually, your authoritarian approach to the superficial matter will most likely suck whatever's left of it completely dry.
I hate women.
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4 comments:
Actually, you're wrong :P
Ofcourse it's targeted at people unsure of themselves in the first place- you don't get self-confident women needing these shows. And "basic cosmetic modification" DOES offset years of low self-confidence, women do it everyday by just wearing a touch of mascara or their favourite outfit.
At the end of the day it doesn't matter what makes you feel happy and confident about yourself so long as you do and don't poison people around you by being a miserable self-wallowing complainer.
:D
It's not so much about the shows (women are actively seeking out help with their insecurities in this case), it's more about a group of girls targeting a weaker one, in doing so highlighting their insecurities when they may very well not care how they look, or actually be very happy with their image. Low self-esteem sinks deeper than what's on the outside; said individuals have trouble identifying their strengths from their weaknesses and have insecurities about who they are in general, not what they look like. I suppose I was wrong in using "confidence" and "esteem" interchangeably there, because they are two different terms.
And no, your last point is perfectly reasonable - people CAN do what they want to make themselves feel good and yes, I'm sure some basic cosmetic modification can do that. I'm just not sure that being ambushed and being told to wear this and apply that makeup is really the best method of encouragement.
Forgive me if I'm wrong here (I haven't watched a Trinny and Susannah show or Fashion Fix show in a long time) but don't people get to volunteer themselves to go on the show? I'm pretty sure like in shows like Supernanny and Wife Swap - if you go on the show you'll get paid a couple of thousand pounds too. So there is a lot of incentive.
I used to be really really shy and one of the main things about suddenly deciding not to be shy was that people would notice me- and it was that sudden switch between being shy and not being shy and people saying "she's changed" and being the centre of attention even just for a day that made it terrifying to change. However, after realising that it's OK to be nervous about people now and then but not make myself suffer by it by holding back, I just went ahead and did it.
It's a similar story for women who want to go on these shows I think. It's all over very quickly and you get the respect from people who know you for being courageous.
I don't have the best fashion sense in the world but even if I did, I wouldn't put myself on a show like that regardless of how high my self-confidence and self-esteem was. It is the initial judging that would get to me, as you said. If I were self-confident that I looked good, and was told I didn't - what a blow that would be. So I guess it works both ways.
But essentially this type of downward or upward classification of superiority/inferiority/class/strong people/weak people etc. happens everywhere everyday so this post is pretty much a moot point.
Again, not about the TV shows, or I'd mention a little more about how I'd like to punch Gok Wan.
You're right about this type of power struggle being very common, I just wanted to highlight to the "superordinates" that they might do well to think more deeply about the matter before targeting the shy girl.
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