Final Exam GLA218
Question one: Beauty standards in Asia
Beauty standards are attractive standards which promote healthy and attainable ideals of the body. The chasing of unrealistic beauty in Asia has impacted the feeling of beauty. The act of inability to attain beauty standards weakens the self-esteem and the feeling of dissatisfaction among Indians. Skin color of women in this case plays a larger part in people’s identity. Skin color depicts the social class and places in India which marginalizes some particular groups. Beauty standards are also evident in social media and filter cultures as people try to edit their appearance (Dippner, & Lee, 2018). Generally, beauty standards in Asia have aroused an aspect of social classes marginalizing some groups.
The impossible standards of beauty have made some women make attempts to edit their beauty. The editing is apparent on social media filters as women attempt to change their color. This desire to change emanates from discrimination of some groups of people in Asia. Some skin colors signify wealth as others. They also make consideration on the bodyweight considerations as some feel that their body is shaming (Dippner, & Lee, 2018). The people practicing beauty standards usually work to achieve self-satisfaction and attract people of the opposite gender. Further, social pressure is a primary cause of the desire to edit their bodies. However, this group of people needs to accept on their state of worthwhile.
Most beauty standards in Asia follow the culture of full lips and super strong brows. Poreless skin and heavily contoured cheekbones are the goals of beauty standards. The group has also turned to glam, shiny curls, and glossy locks which are straight. The beauty standard avoids the hair which is kinked as it may lower the self-esteem. The doll-like appearance has also taken a deep impact on the Asians who edit it for social media (Lee, Moon, & Tu, 2019). These standards of beauty are possible to avoid but they play a great role to people in Asia. The competition in between western and eastern Asia makes it difficult to avoid these cultures.
Question two: The Asian Stereotypes in the west
The west literature portrays Asians as outlandish, stupid, and only objects of curiosity. The stereotype has hampered interaction in the west as Asians are considered inferior. In the 19th century, various magazines and books were apparent to signify their backwardness. The writings were also in the discrimination in terms of appearance (Phan, 2016). The nose and eyes of Asians attract negative claims in the west. Various legal attempts are apparent to regulate the prejudices by eliminating racial discrimination. The legal developments are evident in court rulings and banning of diverse written materials important to end the prejudice.
The discrimination in backwardness and body appearance has an impact on the self-image as it results into low self-esteem among the Chinese. It thus reduces Asian residence in the west as they endure improper welcome from the host countries. The perception on the exotic nature of Middle East has transfigured a replica image in Asia (Rappleye, & Komatsu, 2018). The exotic nature is evident in nations such as China and North Korea. The exotic nature has led to the US banning its citizens from visiting North Korea. The travel bans create the aspect of Arabian dessert of the Asian countries as a result of insecurity.
The stereotypes of the appearance and backwardness of Asians has a major impact in globalization. The lack of proper international relations may therefore cripple networking of the Asian countries. This segregation will endanger the involved countries in trade and thus affecting the economy. The stereotypes to the western countries are applicable in addressing the integration and networking of Asian and western countries. Generally, the stereotypes of western countries on the Asians are a setback in the international trade.
Question five: The concept of diversity
The American continent does not endure territorial conflicts which are the primary causes of Asian solidarity. The South-east Asia’s primer faced destruction due to divergence in territorial interests. Various statement from the ministry in Asia fail as each territory is in the support of individual interests. The difference in territorial goals as opposed to America which is under a common leader. The Asian meetings have seen some leaders fail to attend as they lack interests for the agenda of the discussions (Boughton, & Durnan, 2017). Other managerial problems are also deter to the solidarity of Asia. For example, regardless of Singapore being the coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, contrary statements are released by Asian member led by Malaysian controversy.
The lack of solidarity implies increased humanitarian crisis in the region and lack of corporations. The lack of solidarity in this region is evident in lack of joint support in Nepal earthquakes that happened in April, 2004. The crisis saw a huge number of deaths and the sinking of the Nepalese GDP (Manela, 2019). The lack of solidarity in individual countries is due to lack of proper mitigation bodies. Before the Nepalese earthquake, SAARC had a proper management framework but the search and rescue programs were incompetent. Therefore, the individual countries lack well planned mitigation bodies to crises.
Multiculturalism is another cause of disunity in Asia is another cause to lack of solidarity. In this case, majority cultures practice protectionism which results to undermining the minority. The richness in traditional practices pluralizes the cities in terms of cultural ethics (Manela, 2019). The result of the combination is undermining of the weaker cultures and exposition. The undermining of the minority affects solidarity of the majority and minority cities. For instance, the Hong Kong ethnic group isolates other ethnic groups in Southern Asia. The isolation of some ethical groups results from lack of harmony and policies to encourage respect to cultures.
References
Boughton, B., & Durnan, D. (2017). Popular Education Pedagogy and South-South Solidarity:
An Asia Pacific Perspective. In Forging solidarity (pp. 39-48). Brill Sense.
Dippner, A., & Lee, E. J. (2018). Beauty in East Asia: Introduction. ASIEN, 147, 5-10.
Lee, S. H., Moon, C. H., & Tu, T. L. N. (Eds.). (2019). Fashion and Beauty in the Time of Asia.
NYU Press.
Manela, E. (2019). Asia in the Global 1919: Reimagining Territory, Identity, and Solidarity. The
Journal of Asian Studies, 78(2), 409-416.
Phan, L. H. (2016). Transnational Education Crossing’Asia’and’the West’: Adjusted desire,
transformative mediocrity and neo-colonial disguise. Taylor & Francis.
Rappleye, J., & Komatsu, H. (2018). Stereotypes as Anglo-American exam ritual? Comparisons
of students’ exam anxiety in East Asia, America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Oxford Review of Education, 44(6), 730-754.