In the past, women were subjugated by patriarchal societies. As humans evolved, the role of gender was not clearly defined. However, over time, it was believed that one gender was more dominant as they were able to hunt and fight animals, leading to the segregation of labor based on gender. This was acceptable to a certain extent, but it eventually became a norm where women were confined to domestic duties and men were the breadwinners. Women were seen as under the protection of men.
Historically, poets and authors have perpetuated societal norms by depicting women as soft and delicate, and by objectifying them through the use of imagery of ornaments and cosmetics. They have focused on the superficial aspects of beauty, such as kajal (eyeliner) and earrings, rather than embracing true inner beauty. Unfortunately, this trend continues in the present-day entertainment industry too.
You may have a question, ornaments and cosmetics were found in the Indus Valley Civilization too, what does that mean? Does it mean women were not as independent as they should be or they were more or less dependent on men for their needs? Yes
Let's take an example, suppose you want something from someone, then you may have to give him/her something.
Here women used their nature and their minds to lure men (men are lusty and they can't control it that's why we hear of cases of honey traps) and how? the answer was simple, women had only one thing to offer in return for protection and preservation, and that was their bodies. They lighted their body (means glamorized) and lured men, this was easily possible by women who were naturally very beautiful ( physical beauty) but what about average and below average looking women, they took the support of cosmetics, that was how they got attraction and other things from their husbands and society. So women in IVC too used this method.
The example of Muslim women wearing a burqa highlights how cultural and geographical factors influence traditional clothing and customs. The scorching heat and intense sunlight in the Arab region may have led to the use of burqas as a means of protecting oneself from tanning and sand. Similarly, in Hinduism, the emphasis on ornaments may be rooted in cultural norms surrounding physical attraction. In Hinduism there is a high emphasis on ornaments, it is only due to the norm of physical attraction.
All this was fine until women were dependent but now women are independent, why do they need makeup and all to look beautiful? If you can't accept your real skin then how can you say you are confident or independent?
The use of cosmetics among modern women is influenced by various factors, including societal expectations and cultural norms. Post-feminists argue that looking attractive to men is an important aspect of being a woman. At the same time, capitalists see the cosmetics industry as a way to make a profit, sometimes at the expense of ethics and morality.
In India, the prevalence of cosmetics increased after Rita Faria became the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe title in 1966. This event highlighted the importance of physical appearance and beauty in Indian society and may have contributed to the growth of the cosmetics industry in India. Today, the cosmetics industry in India continues to grow and has a significant impact on the economy and societal expectations of beauty.
Beauty pageants and contests, such as Miss Universe, should be criticized for promoting societal expectations of beauty and perpetuating the objectification of women. The use of makeup and strict adherence to specific beauty standards in these contests have been seen as a form of "cheating" as it does not accurately reflect the individual's natural beauty. Additionally, the contestants are not always able to choose the clothes and styles they wear but rather have to conform to the preferences and expectations of the judges.
Furthermore, these contests should be criticized for their impact on the entertainment industry, as many pageant winners are used by companies and brands to advertise their products and are often encouraged to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. This leads to the objectification of women and the prioritization of profit over ethical and moral considerations. Additionally, many songs and movies have been criticized for including unnecessary and explicit content for the sake of profit, rather than for artistic or creative expression.
The entertainment industry encompasses various mediums, including film, television, music, and live performances. These companies invest large sums of money into producing and promoting their content, with the expectation of earning a return on that investment through ticket sales, merchandise, and streaming revenue.
To attract a larger audience, the industry may include explicit or controversial content in their productions. These elements can generate buzz and attract attention, which can lead to increased viewership or ticket sales. However, this strategy also leads to criticism and backlash from certain groups.
One important aspect to consider is the target audience of the entertainment industry. Research suggests that a significant portion of the audience is male. This demographic tends to have higher earning potential and is more willing to spend money on leisure activities such as movies, concerts, and gaming. As a result, the industry often caters to the desires of this demographic by including more action, adventure, unnecessary vulgar scenes, and fantasy-oriented content in their productions.
Why does the audience watch these movies?
Because hormones are in every person's body less or more, the audience is not such intelligent that it will watch good movies only, had it been so, no celebrity would have such a large fan following. So, the onus is on the industry to inculcate ethics and morality in society but they won't do it because they won't get that much money then.
The entertainment industry, particularly the movie industry, is a powerful force that shapes the perceptions and attitudes of society. The movies that are produced and distributed can shape the way people view the world and the people around them. The industry has a responsibility to promote positive messages and values, such as ethics and morality, but often fails to do so.
One of the ways the industry fails to promote positive values is through the use of item songs and revealing clothing in the name of women's empowerment. These tactics perpetuate harmful stereotypes and objectify women, sending the message that a woman's worth is based on her physical appearance. This is particularly harmful in a society where women already face discrimination and objectification daily.
Furthermore, the industry often portrays women in war movies in unrealistic and illogical ways, such as wearing short skirts while men wear full-body suits. This perpetuates the stereotype that women are weak and not capable of participating in physical activities and reinforces the idea that men are the only ones capable of fighting wars.
The industry should be held accountable for its role in perpetuating negative stereotypes and objectifying women and should take steps to promote true women empowerment. This can be done by creating strong female characters that challenge societal norms and break stereotypes, depicting women in a positive light, and promoting messages of equality and respect.
Women should be celebrated for their real beauty and not be objectified for profit. They don't need cosmetics to look beautiful and they need to accept their real beauty, what they are. Society needs to recognize the value and worth of women beyond their physical appearance and the entertainment industry has a responsibility to promote this message.
