I’ve never been a fan of the term “pretty privilege” and really think its use should be discouraged. What people mean by “pretty” is truly just shorthand for “you fit an amalgam of beauty standards relating to skin tone, race, size, hair texture, etc etc” — not denying that beautiful people exist but if people could recognize “I’m being favored because of my complexion” versus “because I’m pretty” they wouldn’t feel as compelled to bring up the “disadvantages”
I completely agree! there's also a lot of bragging in the 'pretty privilege' 'discourse' and I think if it was reframed as you say, there would probably be less of that
hard agree!! I wish this could be read by everyone who can read, because it is so important. you've articulated put together this topic so well !! misogyny is not a compliment, and repackaging it does not change the message it sends
everyone in human society suffers from oppressive systems, because we all live in it,, but the whole concept of privilege means that there are certain aspects of your self that give you a free pass from some of the oppressive tools
Thank you for writing this. You put words to something that just didn’t sit well with me and I could quite articulate why it was ruffling my feathers. This was helpful.
That’s why it’s called “privilege”. Everyone suffers from systems of oppression, but the privileged are exempt from specific things. It’s tough because beauty standards are always changing and someone who was pretty two years ago isn’t as pretty as they are today, being pretty isn’t a permanent state of being like race or disability. Everybody eventually stops being pretty.
exactly! I originally wrote a paragraph about how there can be no downsides to privilege due to the essence of what privilege is but I deleted it cause I thought it was a bit dictionary-definition-pedantic. but so glad you said that!
I think the adversity women face in general is misconstrued by attractive women as a product of their prettiness, not their womanhood. the bad men out there maintain their bad nature whether you’re attractive or not, I think. those who don’t view women as people will objectify women they find attractive, and likely insult the others. it’s all sucky. you’re an elusive creature, a woman, first - and pretty second.
being considered pretty definitely garners you opportunities that far outweigh the trivialities of it.
I’ve never been a fan of the term “pretty privilege” and really think its use should be discouraged. What people mean by “pretty” is truly just shorthand for “you fit an amalgam of beauty standards relating to skin tone, race, size, hair texture, etc etc” — not denying that beautiful people exist but if people could recognize “I’m being favored because of my complexion” versus “because I’m pretty” they wouldn’t feel as compelled to bring up the “disadvantages”
I’ve never been a fan of the term “pretty privilege” and really think its use should be discouraged. What people mean by “pretty” is truly just shorthand for “you fit an amalgam of beauty standards relating to skin tone, race, size, hair texture, etc etc” — not denying that beautiful people exist but if people could recognize “I’m being favored because of my complexion” versus “because I’m pretty” they wouldn’t feel as compelled to bring up the “disadvantages”
I completely agree! there's also a lot of bragging in the 'pretty privilege' 'discourse' and I think if it was reframed as you say, there would probably be less of that
hard agree!! I wish this could be read by everyone who can read, because it is so important. you've articulated put together this topic so well !! misogyny is not a compliment, and repackaging it does not change the message it sends
everyone in human society suffers from oppressive systems, because we all live in it,, but the whole concept of privilege means that there are certain aspects of your self that give you a free pass from some of the oppressive tools
yes exactly, thank you! heavy on that last paragraph!!
As I get older, pretty privilege gets more obvious. There are no downsides. You're spot on- these arguments are nothing more than upcycled misogyny.
Thank you!!
Thank you for writing this. You put words to something that just didn’t sit well with me and I could quite articulate why it was ruffling my feathers. This was helpful.
I appreciate that!
That’s why it’s called “privilege”. Everyone suffers from systems of oppression, but the privileged are exempt from specific things. It’s tough because beauty standards are always changing and someone who was pretty two years ago isn’t as pretty as they are today, being pretty isn’t a permanent state of being like race or disability. Everybody eventually stops being pretty.
exactly! I originally wrote a paragraph about how there can be no downsides to privilege due to the essence of what privilege is but I deleted it cause I thought it was a bit dictionary-definition-pedantic. but so glad you said that!
I think the adversity women face in general is misconstrued by attractive women as a product of their prettiness, not their womanhood. the bad men out there maintain their bad nature whether you’re attractive or not, I think. those who don’t view women as people will objectify women they find attractive, and likely insult the others. it’s all sucky. you’re an elusive creature, a woman, first - and pretty second.
being considered pretty definitely garners you opportunities that far outweigh the trivialities of it.
pretty privilege honestly has helped me more in life than its hindered me.
I’ve never been a fan of the term “pretty privilege” and really think its use should be discouraged. What people mean by “pretty” is truly just shorthand for “you fit an amalgam of beauty standards relating to skin tone, race, size, hair texture, etc etc” — not denying that beautiful people exist but if people could recognize “I’m being favored because of my complexion” versus “because I’m pretty” they wouldn’t feel as compelled to bring up the “disadvantages”
This is so extremely well put from the get go!!
That to experience pretty privilege is morally wrong is not my argument at all if that’s what you mean