The Real Truth About Beauty Study
by Amy Strachman | December 1st, 2008Dove (yes, the soap company) extended their advertising messages about “real beauty” by commissioning a study in collaboration with researchers at Harvard University and the London School of Economics. The Real Truth About Beauty study surveyed women around the globe aged 18 to 64. Approximately 3,200 women were interviewed in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Italy, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan. The report in its entirety can be found here, and listed below are some of its findings:
—When asked to describe their own looks, women in Brazil were the most likely to use the word “beautiful,” however this was only 6%. The most frequent descriptor used across countries was “natural” at 31%.
—Women in Japan are significantly more likely to rate their beauty and their physical attractiveness poorly compared to other women. Across countries, 13% see themselves as somewhat less or much less beautiful or physically attractive than others.
—Almost half of all women (47%) rate their body weight as “too high” and this trend increases with age. This is particularly the case in the U.S. (60%), Great Britain (57%) and Canada (54%). Italian and Argentinean women are most likely to say their weight is “just right.”
—Almost half of all women (48%) strongly agree with the statement that: “When I feel less beautiful, I feel worse about myself in general.”
—Across countries, only 13% say they are very satisfied with their beauty, 12% with their physical attractiveness, 17% with their facial attractiveness, and 13% with their body weight/shape.
This report illustrates important aspects of women’s self-esteem across the globe. Women associate their well-being with their beauty, and unfortunately, many women do not feel satisfied with their beauty. A recent article in the Arizona Republic alludes to this study in a discussion of how 20-something women are not fully enjoying life. This is the next phase for Dove’s campaign for Real Beauty in understanding women’s “inner critic” to help them stop and enjoy life as it is happening.
Further Reading:
(May 13, 2008). Women in their 20s stressed about life. The Arizona Republic.
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January 11th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
You can point the finger of blame at the media for the global female “low self esteem” problem or you can look at the fact that first off, there are more likely more average looking people than anything else or people of average weight who choose to consider themselves less attractive than they are because of modesty. The real issue is that anybody can be “attractive” to that right person because, as we all know, there are all kinds of tastes out there. Not every man wants skinny models (don’t laugh, it’s true) and not every woman wants Dr. Mc Dreamy (at least I’m guessing) but no matter who you are, you can always count on one thing, there will always be someone looking for someone like you… and it’s up to you to find that person or the best possible way to put yourself in a place or position to have that person find you.
April 27th, 2009 at 9:08 am
What about how men perceive themselves?? Why aren’t there more standards for MALE attractiveness. I joined e-harmony for 3 months—-& I won’t be joining again. NEVER SAW SO MANY UGLY MEN, UGLY & SHORT MEN, OR JUST UGLY, JOWLY & OLD MEN IN MY LIFE. If these are my matches — YUK!!! I don’t care HOW compatible they are to me—-I’M NOT ATTRACTED TO ANY OF THEM!!! And how can you be expected to rate the level of your interest in a match without any pictures? If I don’t like what I see in their pictures—-you can bet I don’t want to see any of them across the table from me!!! I’d rather be single for 900 years than to be with any of them. BARF!!!
May 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I agree with Maria 100%!!! I have been trying to find a match on eHarmony off and on for 2-3 years and only last week was I ‘introduced’ to the first man that I was attracted to. And I’m very attracted, but he has not attempted to communicate with me! Only one opportunity in 3 years! Such bad luck! Practically all of the pics of men sent to me as a “match” were VERY unattractive, overweight, hiding behind a hat or fuzzy face, were snapped so far away as to not be discernible, or worse yet, had no photo! eHarmony should REQUIRE that EVERYONE provide at least one or more photos. If these men are truly searching for a romantic partner, they should take a really good hard look in the mirror at themselves. Anyone can make a call based on appearance, and they always do. If they have a rotten photo, please, eHarmony tell them so! Reject their profile until they learn some grammar and spelling. Most are so drab that it’s clear WHY they don’t have a partner. And guys, if you’re reading this, NEVER mention ANYTHING about any former relationship woman. I’m hanging in there, but the experience has been very disappointing. Maria is right on – how do men perceive themselves, and what are the standards of attractiveness for men?
June 8th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I agree with Maria and Roxy 100%. I want to meet some one who I can feel attracted to. Why should we have to pay more for that? I am very sorry I joined up.
The experience has been very disappointing.
June 15th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Interesting article. Those were some very sad statistics to read. I think what I will walk away with is that beauty truly is an inside job. Society does send us a message and a measurement to live up to, but that doesn’t have to be the one we live by. As human beings we have the choice to lead or to follow. And to the girls who haven’t met cute boys on EHarmony. You girls make me laugh
It will happen when you least expect it!
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Maria, Roxy, and Valarie –
Whatever you think of guys, there are probably guys thinking the same thing about the photo of women they receive. For example, frequent photo complaints from women are men who pose in front of their car or boat. Pose with a fish they caught. Pose with their rifle and the deer they bagged. Bathroom mirror pics, etc. Yet women have been guilty of every one of these photo faux pas. Check out POF and see for yourself………. According to the article above, “Women associate their well-being with their beauty.” If this is true, what does it currently say about you?
October 26th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I was planning on signing up for Eharmony, but whats BS is that they don’t have pictures of matches before you pay money. So I am supposed to pay them a ridiculous amount of money per month before I even know if its going to be worth my while? I don’t like it, and I have a feeling there aren’t that many attractive women on there either. I am 26 and attractive, and no I am not arrogant, its just the truth. The problem I have with talking to attractive women is that somehow they have become so full of themselves these days. They think they are better than men who actually more attractive than they are. I have yet to meet an attractive, fit woman in her mid 20’s who has actually accomlished something rather than just lucked into good genes. Even so, that’s still no excuse for the way the majority of young women act these days.
October 26th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
ugh, typos. “men who are” and “accomplished”