How Do Women Deal with Beauty Standards?

Author

Mandy Lashay Wilson, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Art

First Advisor

Gina Palacios

Second Advisor

Riccardo Pizzinato

Third Advisor

Tim Gonchoroff

Abstract

This thesis explores the profound impact of beauty standards on women’s lives, focusing on how unrealistic ideals influence their emotional and physical well-being. Through a series of figurative oil paintings, this work examines women’s actions to conform to and reject these standards. It also explores the consequences of striving to meet or falling short of these ideals, such as emotional turmoil, physical pain, potential social exclusion, as well as the comparison, and competitive beauty culture. This research analyzes the motivations behind striving for beauty standards, such as pursuing attention, success, and validation. Drawing from contemporary literature and visual analysis of figurative artwork and photography, this analysis sheds light on the lasting effects of beauty standards on women, instigating deeper consideration of these pressures surrounding and how women deal with them.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Mandy Lashay Wilson. https://proquest.com/docview/3240604236

Recommended Citation

Wilson, M. L. (2025). How Do Women Deal with Beauty Standards? [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1709