Women and Beauty Industry | Tebuireng Online

In the eyes of many people, the success of a woman seems to be measured only from the same standard: beautiful face, ideal body, married at a young age, immediately have children, then live in the abundance of material. Beyond all that, the struggle, achievement, and journey of life of a woman is often underestimated and even often blasphemed if it is not in accordance with community standards.

Just look at how the entertainment world shows the real face of this mindset. In the past, when some artists had not yet performed with faces that were “beautiful industrial version”, they were ignored or became ridicule. But as physical changes that incidentally are assisted by money and medical access to praise and applause begins to come. Not because of the talent, not because of his hard work, but because “finally beautiful too”.

Then, there are also beautiful artists who choose to wear hijab, live independently, success in career, but not married. What did you get? Not appreciation for achievement, but painful comments: “Poor, beautiful but not sold.” “Honey, it’s already that age is still alone.” It is as if love and soul mate can be purchased like discounts. In fact, sustenance, matchmaking, and death are the absolute business of God. But still, women are considered failed just because they do not have a partner.

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And when finally married, the pressure did not stop. If it has not been blessed with children, again the woman is blamed. The “barren” label was thrown without mercy. People never ask what is felt by women who continue to be fed the question “When to have children?” As if his life is incomplete if it does not contain. Even though they also struggle, wait, hope, and pray. But the pain is never a part of social empathy.

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Even more sad, now an amazing social facts emerge. In various wild chatting, the notion arises that getting pregnant out of wedlock is more “good” than getting married but never pregnant. How ironic. The norms that were once guarded are now confused by strange logic that corners women from two sides: if they get married but do not have children, are considered to fail. But if you get pregnant first, even defended on the pretext “the important thing is to have children.”

Of all this, we must ask: Why do women always have to be justified only if it is in accordance with people’s expectations? Why do women’s success must be measured by the affairs of uterus, makeup, and rings on the fingers?

Women should not need to prove their existence in ways compiled by narrow social standards. Beauty is not the only value. Marriage is not the only way of life. Pregnancy is not the only measure of success.

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However, in our society, women who stepped in principle, choose their own way, and live wisely if they are not in accordance with their general “maps” are considered wrong, lost, even failed. Though it could be that they are much happier, stronger, and more full of meaning than those who only live life for social validation.

It’s time we stop demanding women to continue to fulfill the checklist compiled by others. Stop making marriage a symbol of success, and stops considering the uterus as a benchmark for women’s values. Women are not created only to get married, give birth, and decorated. Women are created to live, to grow, to work, and to be appreciated whatever their life choices.

Writer: trough
Editor: Rara Zaryry