Why Are Girls’ Appearances and Bodies Constantly Watched and Judged?

Why Are Girls’ Appearances and Bodies Constantly Watched and Judged?

I often feel like my appearance and body are constantly being watched and judged. Whether at school, on social media, or just walking down the street, I can always feel people’s stares and hear their comments. Sometimes, I wonder: why are girls’ looks and bodies so important? Why do we have to be judged like this?

At school, friends sometimes make jokes about body-related topics. They might comment on someone being too short, not thin enough, or not having the right curves. If you have a pretty face, they’ll say you don’t have a chest; if you’re curvy, they’ll joke that you should cover yourself up. Sometimes, girls’ criticisms are even harsher. Every time I hear these comments, I start scrutinizing my own body, wondering if I’m just as bad as the person being criticized. I begin to doubt myself, feeling like my appearance isn’t attractive enough, that I don’t fit society’s standards.

On social media, the situation is even worse. I see so many photos of people with perfect bodies, and I feel so ordinary and inadequate in comparison. I start to compare myself to others and become dissatisfied with my own appearance. Every time I post a photo, I worry about not getting enough likes or positive comments. I feel like I’m not pretty enough, not charming enough, and this creates an invisible pressure that constantly weighs me down.

I start asking myself, why are girls’ appearances and bodies so important? Why are we judged this way? Even though I know that everyone has different looks and bodies, and that these traits shouldn’t define our worth or self-esteem, it’s not easy to resist the pressure from society as a whole.

Accepting ourselves is a process. Along the way, we may question ourselves, doubt others, dislike and try to change who we are, and then gradually learn to discover and appreciate our bodies and appearance, as well as our inner qualities and personality. This process isn’t like magic, where you wake up one day feeling beautiful and free from societal judgment. It takes time and experience to build a version of yourself that you love and find attractive. For example, when I give a presentation at school, I realize I’m not afraid of public speaking, and people admire me for it. This kind of praise makes me happier because skills and talents last forever, while a “perfect” body or appearance might come at the cost of sacrificing much of your happiness.

So, I remind myself and other girls not to be swayed by external judgments. Everyone has their own unique beauty, not just in appearance but also in personality and inner value. What’s important is that we accept ourselves, believe in ourselves, and cultivate our self-love and confidence. In a world full of criticism and judgment, we need to learn to stick to our values and strengths, building a strong sense of self.

So, if one day you feel like you’re not good enough, that you’re being judged and watched, remember that you are unique, and your worth is so much more than just your appearance or body.