Female Beauty

The concept of female beauty is one that is in constant debate around the world. One person's idea of beauty may not be the same as the next person. Female beauty is also perceived differently in different parts of the world. Complicating matters is the fact that the ideals of female beauty are always changing.

Centuries ago in Western culture, the ideal woman figure was soft and round, with large hips and a full belly. The ideal woman portrayed fertility and prosperity. As time went on, the ideal of female beauty changed significantly. The ideal woman became much thinner, her hairstyles changed and her role in the world shifted. Female beauty is no longer so much about fertility, but more about strength.

One thing that hasn't changed much about the perception of female beauty is the composition of the face. Historically, symmetric faces are found to be the most attractive. Studies conducted on newborns indicate that they are more likely to be attracted to symmetric faces than asymmetric.

Another indication of female beauty seems to be the childlike qualities of a woman's face. Many people tend to be more drawn to female faces with large eyes, small chins, small noses and full lips. Women whose faces have prominent male features are generally seen as less attractive.

Female beauty has long been celebrated in many forms: sculpture, for example, is often all about the soft and curving lines of the female body. Even cars and furniture are sometimes based on the pleasing female shapes and outlines that we perceive as comforting and attractive.

Female beauty is often the first example of beauty that we experience. Mothers are nurturing, so we learn to appreciate female beauty because it is associated with comfort and happiness. No matter what the "ideal" media image of women becomes, we can count on the female form being consistently seen as the pinnacle of beauty and joy.