Throughout history the idea of the picture perfect woman has changed more times than anyone can actually remember. Today’s culture has established norms that are view differently all over the world and as Americans believe our modern culture is the best way to proceed, many other cultures disagree. Our women are believed to be tall, skinny, tan, and perfect. Resorting to any means possible to achieve the robust look and younger image that many women obsess over in the US.
In old times cultures believed that beauty was beheld in the pale, heavy set, women because it conveyed an image of social class because they skinny and tan women were the ones doing all the labor. The book brings up an example of stature changing to fit in when they speak of ancient Rome and how their culture was dark haired and the prostitutes wore blonde so they could be spotted.“ Messalina,” a wife of the king at the time started wearing blonde wigs and it changed the culture as other women followed suit, leaving it impossible to pick prostitutes out of the crowd (309).
American culture and style is ever changing and each season comes out with a different look that society approves of and attempts to match, much like ancient Rome blonde hair is everywhere and being able to spot the nature hair colors has become near impossible. As America changes at the turning of the seasons many cultures retain the same look they have had for centuries. My roommate visited Egypt for spring break and when I jokingly asked about the belly dancers and their beauty as portrayed in movies. He told me they actually have bellies and are proud of them because in their culture it means they are prosperous and well off.