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The following is a magazine article found in print:

Alkon, Amy. “The Truth About Beauty.”//Psychology Today// Dec. 2010: 54-59. Print.

Amy Alkon is a sought-after syndicated advice columnist who bases her advice on psychology and science. She has also written articles for newspapers in Los Angeles and New York. She has also done several television and radio appearances on shows such as Good Morning America and NPR. The piece is advice for women- she explains the psychological background of “beauty” and states that, in order to succeed in love and life, women must try to accept this view. The piece’s intended audience is the lay person- the language is not technical and the piece is in a very easily available magazine; not a scholarly journal that is only a part of certain academic circles.

Alkon argues that women must try to accept some of the harder facts of beauty in order to be able to succeed. Her arguments are that the biological and psychological differences between the two genders influence what physical traits attract men to women, and how these traits biologically and psychologically influence men’s attraction. Certain preferences such as relative youth, clear skin, symmetry in face/body, feminine facial features, and the “hour-glass” figure seem to be relatively universal across cultures because they indicate good health and fertility. However, weight preferences depend on the culture. In cultures where food is plentiful, men prefer thin women. In cultures where food is scarce, men prefer heavier women. She then examines the feminist views that the Western standards of beauty are meant to oppress the female. Alkon disagrees with this view, that the beauty rituals of the West, such as highlighting one’s hair or plucking one’s eyebrows, are much less severe than those of other culture- such as foot binding. She then states bettering oneself intellectually is something applauded by society, as trying to better oneself physically should be- via makeup, etc. She then compares the pursuit of beauty in France and America. She states in America- there are two extremes those who do not try at all to improve their looks and those that will try everything to look extremely racy. In addition, there is always the attempt to “cure” aging, instead of accepting it. The French take the standards of beauty in stride and, while they somewhat try to fight aging; they do not do it to the extreme of American women. Alkon then wraps up the piece by stating what men like in terms of appearance and tips on how to reach it.

The evidence given in the piece appears to be biological and psychological facts on beauty and why and how it exists. In addition, there are some references to studies, especially in terms of discussing what men find attractive. The evidence that helps to support my arguments is in the biological and psychological views of feminine attractiveness. It allows me to see that media has based its views of beauty on something to make it so widely accepted.

The work is logically ordered and very clear and easy to follow. Alkon also makes sure her work is well researched- her assertions are supported by relevant studies. In addition, Alkon adequately addresses her topic- addressing why the standards of beauty are what they are, and how to work with these standards. Alkon is not objective in her article- it is an advice piece, her specialty, and she argues in favor of supporting her advice.

From this source, I learned about the underlying biological and psychological components that drive the standards of female beauty. These underlying components are a major part of what shape views of attractiveness towards females, and are therefore, useful in helping me support my argument. These views are based in fact, but are also clearly the base for the exaggerated media views of feminine beauty that make many women feel inadequate because they cannot reach this artificial, exaggerated, unattainable standard. This information helped me develop my argument by showing me the base for the media’s views on beauty ideals for women.