Does "Pretty Privilege" Exist?

Time seems to be the great equalizer, in a lot of cases.

I've often thought of how in our culture, it's better to die young and be remembered as forever beautiful (Marilyn Monroe and James Dean), because look at the mockery and scorn people get if they dare to grow old.

I agree that there is a lot of subjectivity to beauty, but I believe people (in particular one sex) tends to ignore the objective markers of beauty. I don't know if this is conscious or subconscious for people to deny objective markers, it's just difficult to believe anyone could think it's entirely subjective.

Perhaps if we look at groups of people intersectionally, we would have a wider variety of objective markers. But even then, we would see common denominators. The markers get more concise the narrower your scope is though.

I love how your first thought is utility when it comes to some of the objective markers of beauty. I think it speaks to your character (positively of course). Thanks for your input.

Not offended at all sister. I appreciate your feedback. I actually roll my eyes when people bring up "privilege", but this is one privilege I think actually exists. I wanted to hear Christian thoughts on this as I, unfortunately, live in a secular world and hear their thoughts on topics more than I care to. I also think we can believe it exists but some may have different sentiments about it... Some could say it's advantageous and some could argue that it's disadvantageous (Lynx's point about pretty people being more depressed or not knowing if someone wants you for you or just you physically).

You're absolutely right. Great point. If we look through a political lens, I think it has played a factor in how people vote/support. I'm not saying it's entirely why people vote for a certain candidate, but I think it's certainly a boost. Think of people like Gavin Newsom for example, all I hear about from liberal women is how handsome he is (okay, not all I hear, but you get what I mean). It sort of overshadows some of his deficiencies. I could give female politician examples, but I don't want to risk enflaming the discussion. lol

Yes, harsh truth....this world is like that...
Being attractive can be an advantage in a world where superficiality often reigns, and many people sadly prioritize looks, fame, and fortune over good qualities and character.

Because if not...why do celebrities often choose to partner with fellow beautiful celebrities rather than people with average looks?... not just a celebrity issue many ordinary people also find themselves drawn to those who are physically attractive....however being attractive can lead to feelings of insecurity as you may become the object of envy,harassment and unwanted attention...🤔

Oof, I'm sorry for the experiences you shared but appreciative your input. While I may not feel the exact same way as you do about redheads, I sort of understand. The difference is that I find that they are either really attractive or really not. Rarely have I see a "mid" redhead. I remember asking myself why they only come in extremes when I was a teen.

I'll have to watch this movie. Sounds interesting! Your post sort of reminded me of Norma Jean Baker's story (Marilyn Monroe). Classic beauty with a short and tragic life.

Makes me think of Val Kilmer who died yesterday.

If I had to take a position, I would say it's more beneficial than it is disadvantageous. However, from a male perspective, I can give anecdotal evidence of people assuming you are a d-bag for simply presenting yourself in an otherwise professional manner (polo and dress pants). I've asked several girls I've dated what their first thought of me was and I got some negative responses based on how I look and dressed. They would try to put me at ease that after they got to know me they didn't think I was a d-bag or whatever negative thought they initially had. It's funny now but I remember being a bit confused how someone they know nothing about could think I would be a d-bag for looking/dressing a certain way. But then I realized I've done this myself to other people...

Do we have any people willing to raise their hand that they have negatively judged or assumed an attractive person would be a particular way (unfavorable)?

Most definitely -- I think it's just a very human thing to do.

I was definitely NOT part of the in crowd at school. I was an adopted Asian in an all-white place in which whiteness was the only thing that was accepted at the time. Men old enough to be my father and grandfather hit on me starting in my teens, thinking I was some sort of exotic prey.

I got used to the pretty popular kids looking down on me at school. I'm not complaining -- others have gone through far worse -- but it's carried on over throughout my life. Almost every time I encounter someone who has that caliber of looks, I expect them to look down on me. Sometimes that's true and sometimes it isn't, as every case is different.

What I never expected was to some day be on the other side of the coin, in an odd way. I know it's an Asian stereotype, but I've always looked younger than my biological age. I know someday that might not be the case -- I joke with my friends that I'm going to wake up looking 101 any day now.

But guys who ask me out typically tend to be about 15 years younger, and they're shocked to learn my actual age. The thing is, when women find out how old I am, they're sometimes not very happy with the answer.

One of the things I ran into on the Christian dating sites (I'm no longer on them,) is that even though I posted recent photos (I was in my mid-30's at the time,) other women would critically say I must be posting pictures from high school and purposely trying to catfish men.

I've been in a few situations like that where women are upset that I guess I don't fit the mold of what I'm "supposed" to look like at this age.

I just try my best to be encouraging to them and not let it get to me.

Tests have been done with newborns that show they prefer attractive faces to the alternative. Search results:

Researchers have found that even newborns, just a few days old, can discriminate
between faces and show a preference for those deemed attractive by adults.

• Visual Preference Paradigm:
  Studies often use a visual preference paradigm, where infants are shown paired images of faces, one attractive and one unattractive, and researchers measure how long they look at each face.
• Attractiveness Judged by Adults:
  The "attractive" and "unattractive" faces used in these studies are typically rated by adults beforehand.
• Generalization Across Facial Types:
  Research has shown that infant preferences for attractive faces generalize across different types of faces, including male and female, and different races.
• Not a Blank Slate:
  These findings suggest that babies are not mere blank slates, but instead come into the world with a fairly well-developed perception system.

Very interesting study. I'll have to try to find it so I can dive deeper.

The "Not a Blank Slate" part, would this indicate that there is more objectivity than subjectivity as to what is beautiful? It would dispel cultural bias and perceptions to what beauty is. Very intriguing.

CHuckle!!!! Do we drive on parkways, and park on driveways?? Is the Pope a Catholic?? (oops - that doesn't work any more)!! Does a Bear defecate in the woods???

OF COURSE IT EXISTS!!!!

When I was in junior school , between the ages of 7 and 11 , we all had boyfriends/ girlfriends , we did nothing more than MAYBE hold hands . These boyfriends/ girlfriends only ever lasted a few weeks at the most and then we would basically swap around . One day I went home from school and said to my mum ' I have a new boyfriend ' my mum said ' is he ginger ? ' . I was stunned ! How did she know ? So u asked her, ' how did u know ? ' She looked at me and said ' they've all been ginger ' . I thought about it for a few seconds and realised , she was right ! Ginger , or red haired men found me irresistible and they still do . All my life , when I used to go to pubs and clubs with my girlfriends , if there was a ginger man there he would chat me up , my girlfriends found this hysterical . They did and still do , chat me up in the street ! I have no idea why ! I'm a ginger magnet ! As an adult I haven't had a ginger boyfriend , my husband has very dark hair . I'm a mousey brunette . There's no accounting for taste and no logicality to attraction 🤪 .

I think I have!

A classic example of the danger of pretty privilege was Sarah, the wife of Abraham.

Even the Bible said she was beautiful, so much so that she attracted the attention of one of the most powerful men of God of all time.

But she also attracted the attention of other powerful men, and to the point where Abraham was willing to hand her over to them, in two separate instances, to save his own skin.

A generation later, Isaac repeated the same action with his own beautiful wife, Rebekah.

I've often wondered what these women felt at the time -- to be so beautiful that they attracted the richest, most Godly men available.

But yet, their own Godly, powerful husbands refused to protect them, and in fact willingly handed them over, knowing they would be abused, but were more concerned about their own survival.

Imagine how Sarah must have felt when God alone rescued her and brought her back to Abraham.

I know I for one could not play the role of a happy wife, that's for sure.

But I realize those were different times, and women were seen as political objects back then.

if that's the new official term, or whatever the term is, yes, by course, privileges exist because of the outward appearance. yes, man & woman. now, i'll first say that there are probably some CC members who think i brag about my life & provisions. i'm not sure, but there may be some. I DO NOT BRAG where i've been or our stature in life ( my wife & i ). sometimes, i'll mention an event in our lives to encourage others on CC to be motivated because i have detected some laziness here & there & that's why i do that. often, when we go someplace, we are recognized & we'll receive immediate service & get a favorable seat. for one, I used to have brunch at Prime in Saratoga nearly every Sunday, year after year & the best seat in the house was saved for me. & there's 1 particular establishment which i won't name, but there, all the "beautiful" people hang out. all the girls are very thin & pretty, the guys are thin, everyone is rich & the atmosphere is always joyous. many places like that exist in Saratoga. & you should know, no one mocks anyone, they are professional people. now this next statement is delicate & there certainly isn't any derision intended but people who feel that that place isn't for them, don't social there. hence, Saratoga just got named happiest city in New York again! long ago, in my teens, from playing in bands, i saw early on in life that the "beautiful" are always favored.