Fashion isn’t harmful to society in and of itself because fashion is an art of expression, however the high fashion industry presents their manipulated images as the standard for beauty, causing some people to disregard their health to meet that standard.
Fashion itself becomes harmful to society when it causes mental or physical setbacks or impedes on the progress of society. However, fashion is merely an art of expression. It allows people to express themselves in their own way and create their own personal look.
Since fashion is a personal expression, it doesn’t affect anyone else’s ability to express themselves. Thus fashion itself is not impeding on society. The problems lies in the high fashion industry. It influences many people and their perception of beauty, so when a new standard is determined to be beautiful, the people who are influenced by these companies see a need to meet the new standard.
The problem is the standard that is advertised is altered with computers.
When the high fashion industry pushes an altered and unrealistic standard of beauty, it makes the possibility to look like the standard unrealistic. In order to meet an unrealistic standard, people must put themselves through pain, disregarding their health and going against the nature of their body. When people ultimately fail to meet the unrealistic standard, they become depressed and face health issues.
Because of this, these companies have now caused harm both mentally and physically to the people they very well know they have influence on. Since these companies cause harm, both mentally and physically, to the people they influence, they cause harm to society.
So, fashion itself is not harming society. Instead, it is the industry that presents unrealistic beauty in the name of fashion that is the culprit.
The fashion industry often portrays a narrow and idealized version of beauty, emphasizing specific body types, flawless skin, and a certain aesthetic. This can create a sense of insecurity and dissatisfaction within marriages as couples may feel pressured to conform to these unrealistic standards.
Body Image Concerns
The constant exposure to highly edited and airbrushed images in fashion media can lead to body image insecurities among both men and women. This can result in feelings of self-consciousness, low self-esteem, and a negative perception of one's own body, which can impact intimacy and overall satisfaction within the marriage.
The prevalence of images
Showcasing seemingly perfect bodies can trigger comparison and jealousy within marriages. Partners may feel inadequate or less attractive compared to the idealized representations, leading to feelings of resentment and strain on the relationship.
Emotional Toll
Constantly striving to achieve unrealistic beauty standards can take an emotional toll on individuals, including feelings of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. These emotional struggles can spill over into the marriage, affecting communication, intimacy, and overall marital happiness.
The fashion industry's emphasis on external beauty can overshadow the importance of embracing your inside beauty.
Couples may feel compelled to present a curated version of themselves, rather than being vulnerable and accepting each other's true selves. This can hinder genuine intimacy and hinder the development of a deep emotional connection.
Counteracting the negative impact of unrealistic beauty standards involves cultivating a culture of self-acceptance and promoting healthy body image within the marriage.
Time and Energy Drain
Keeping up with the latest fashion trends and beauty rituals can consume a significant amount of time and energy, taking away from the quality time couples could spend together. The pressure to maintain a certain appearance can lead to prioritizing external aesthetics over nurturing the emotional connection within the marriage.