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How does one define beauty?
Some of us women think we weren’t born beautiful
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ome of us women think we weren’t born beautiful. It’s not necessarily because someone has said it to our face — it’s because we’re the ones embracing this self-perception.
Of course, we don’t only have ourselves to blame. If you flip through the pages of any glossy fashion and beauty magazine, then you’ll know where you stand compared to commercially defined beauty ideals.
But just how do you define beauty? A curvy waist with a flat tummy? Fair skin and straight hair? Well, your list could be longer, but one thing is certain: Women will pursue their desire to be beautiful their entire life.
“The capitalist world has long defined what beauty is,” said women activist Masruchah. “Beauty is fair skin; beauty is straight hair — so those with curly hair will be tempted to get their hair straightened.”
And unfortunately for some women, not only are they are “bounded” by their beauty obsessions, they’re also restricted by certain religious beliefs.
“There has always been intervention — rules in society that dictate [what] women [should do or look like],” Masruchah said.
Masruchah went on to describe how beautifying oneself had always been associated with women.
“Not all women love to spend time making themselves more beautiful. Men also love to groom themselves,” she said. “So rules should not only be made for women, because sensuality doesn’t only belong to them.”
Muslim scholar Siti Musdah Mulia agreed, saying that these kinds of male-dominated perspectives have led to the issuance of gender-biased edicts.
“Women always get blamed for causing immoral acts,” she said.
In Islam, Musdah revealed, beauty and grooming belong both to men and women.
“The Koran tells both women and men to wear perfume and beautiful attires,” she said. Why?
“Because beauty is naturally embedded within humans. And Islam wants its followers to appreciate beauty.”
And when it comes to the concept of beauty, “Being beautiful is essentially about how we can contribute to others,” Musdah said. “It’s not about whether you can straighten your hair, and so on. Defining beauty is more complex than that.”
But of course, if you’re really keen on getting that chopstick-looking hairstyle, then it is your prerogative to do so, as “you have the right to beautify yourself for the sake of your own satisfaction,” said Masruchah.
