Generation Diva: Perfecting Beauty

The article “Are We Turning Our Tweens Into ‘Generation Diva’?” written by Jessica Bennett focuses on the impression of the ideal beauty on young girls—including those impressionable toddlers that are just beginning to read—and also their personal use of beauty products. These products are used to enhance their level of beauty even though they have barely commenced to grow. Furthermore, this group of young girls is exposed to billions of advertisements and retouched photographs in magazines and television.

Check out this video for information about Toddlers and Tiaras, a program about young girls in pageants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAkjXdtzOSw

I’m not surprised this is occurring in Generation Y and Z. It almost seems inevitable with the constant advertising. However, I find this occurrence depressing because mothers are allowing and at times encouraging this path to perfected beauty. For young girls, mothers are the most significant role models both in and out of the home. Instead of encouraging these beauty products at a young age, mothers should encourage HEALTHY LIFESTYLES and guide their daughters; mothers should demonstrate that these products can be used but at an appropriate age, with an appropriate quantity, and possibly only for certain events or occasions. “There is a time for everything.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am definitely part of Generation Y because as a toddler my parents always told me I was beautiful no matter what—something they continue to do even though it bothers me now. However, I think this gave me the confidence to reject beauty products. Now, at the age of 19, I continue to stay away from beauty products the majority of the time—including makeup, hair serums and technological devices like straighteners, rejuvenating-type skin creams, manicures and pedicures, among others of course.

I do use these products but not the extent that my friends do. I have often heard them saying they can’t walk out of the room to go to class without at least eyeliner or mascara, if not both. I don’t find the need to “perfect” myself before going to class. Despite I find this influx of Generation Diva inevitable and normal, personally it is an extremely difficult concept to grasp.

The worst part is the amount of money these girls spend on beauty products. Call me frugal but I wouldn’t be caught dead spending almost 500 thousand dollars throughout my life for these products. I’ll pass, thank you very much.