There's a huge difference in how aging is viewed on - and appreciated - in different cultures. To be more precise ; between those who have been subjected to the marketing of eternal youth and those who have "grown naturally".
In our culture (Finland probably being one of the most extremes of this polarisation) the signs of aging are shunned upon. People are trying to hide their wrinkles because they think others will look down on them if they let them show. They cut their hair to the uniform granny-look - or put on fake hair - in fear of showing the grayness and balding. They put more and more creams and layers of makeup to hide their age. It is this fearful and ashamed-of-oneself attitude only that makes them look just as pitiful as they think they are.
Should they keep their heads high, stand proud and let their age show - without any attempt to hide it - they'd certainly find the reaction of people completely different; full of awe! That's the way old people are viewed in most places in Africa (at least; I have never been to anywhere in Asia but i guess it's somewhat the same). And glory hallelujah, that's the way it should be! Age and experience have always been - and will always be - respected among the younger generations, if only they're respected by the old ones themselves too. Let children enjoy their childish beauty but do not give them the example of trying to maintain that rosyness all your life. That is totally twisted and sucks, big time.
And although the topic of this text seems to critisize just one trend of appearance, I have nothing against that precise one. In fact i personally do fancy that look a bit myself too - being an old school goth and all that... It just sounded fit for the topic, for after all I think way too many people in this fucked-up-by-advertising-world are seriously thinking of killing themselves just because of their looks; because they think they're not fit for their own girly/boyish choice of aesthetics anymore. I wish they'd wake up and realize that there is more to the concept of beauty than just that.
And I guess I'm just frustrated by hopelessly hoping that more people would dare to show that they actually put even nearly as much time and effort on the content of their minds - as they do on their outward appearance. If you're certain of your beauty (and mainly your honesty to yourself), you will shine. You don't need all that junk they're selling you to be noticed. Although I'm not a pretty creature myself, and though I've been close to the brink of turning completely bitter toward all the lucky ones in that sense, I've been blessed to meet some people who have proved the dichotomy between beauty and intellect wrong. There are people who actually manage to be both smart and pretty. Just let that latter one show too, all you babes! - If only to keep us ugly buggers happy?
I'm also declaring a hope for more people who'd really dare to question the "fascist beauty standards" ; not only by repeating such a cool phrase - not only by trying to deny them - but instead understanding their reality, their actual effect on all of us, and by bringing it to light helping us to dissolve them.
That being said, let it be known that I'm just kidding - like all adults should - don't take any of it too personal.
<3
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