The "Plastic" Look

[michyed]

Femininity IS often judged superficially; that is a simple fact. However, it's not that white women are viewed as more feminine in America, it's that the plastic look is associated with femininity, and its wearers are predominantly white. The association is based on correlation, not causation. We can delve into why a "white" style is considered typically attractive, but that would be going off on a tangent. The point is, this look IS associated with attractiveness and femininity, and it IS judged negatively sometimes for this reason alone.

It's not about what I consider feminine (I never even stated my opinion on the look), it's about what American culture does. American culture IS both racially and culturally biased, and this is reflected in its ideal female beauty type. I'm not debating whether it should be, I was only making the point that it is.

You're gonna lecture me about correlation not implying causation when your argument is statistically flawed in the first place? What you're trying to do is present some sort of correlation between two categorical variables. Unless there is some way you can measure the "extent" of plasticity and "degree" of femininity on a numerical scale (and I'm sure r would be -0.9999999), no such thing as a correlation exists between these two variables.

Trust me, nobody dislikes the plastic look because it is "attractive" or "feminine". I would like to find some truth in your theory about conventional femininity, but regretfully I can't. Do separate image searches on "feminine american", "femininity", "american p*rnstar" and "trashy look" and you will find that Google Images (USA version) disagrees with you too.

 

[PinkGoddess]

You're gonna lecture me about correlation not implying causation when your argument is statistically flawed in the first place? What you're trying to do is present some sort of correlation between two categorical variables. Unless there is some way you can measure the "extent" of plasticity and "degree" of femininity on a numerical scale (and I'm sure r would be -0.9999999), no such thing as a correlation exists between these two variables.

And no statistical correlation exists between "plasticity" and intelligence or negative depictions of sexuality either, yet YOU have stated in this thread that "those judgements exist for a reason". Of course stereotypes are not measured scientifically, I was only making the point that this certain beauty type being upheld as the ideal in Western culture is not directly due to racism (and perhaps more the fact that 74% of the American population is white).

Trust me, nobody dislikes the plastic look because it is "attractive" or "feminine". I would like to find some truth in your theory about conventional femininity, but regretfully I can't. Do separate image searches on "feminine american", "femininity", "american p*rnstar" and "trashy look" and you will find that Google Images (USA version) disagrees with you too.

The p*rnstar/trashy look descends mainly from the same type as the plastic look (the blue-eyed, tanned blonde) and that is why the association exists. Google searches won't prove the point you're trying to make because they rely on keywords that are not necessarily related in any way (the results on even the first page have nothing to do with the American beauty ideal).

Judging by your posts, you seem to be disputing what the ideal is on the basis that it's unfair. Of COURSE it is, but that's beside the point. Comments you have made like "To judge femininity on the basis of hair color, skin tone and such would be plain superficial" and "then what you consider feminine is still culturally biased. America has always been a mixing pot, for centuries attracting influxes of racially-diverse immigrants." only speak from a subjective standpoint. You're right that judging femininity on that basis is superficial and that its beauty ideal is not relatively common among the public, but American culture disregards these facts.

 

[michyed]

Never did I ever say that there exists a correlation between plasticity and intelligence. It wasn't even implied in my statement. I've stressed it enough, there is no such thing as correlation between two categorical variables. How are you somehow capable of twisting a statement like "those judgments exist for a reason" into some statistically significant matter?

http://images.google.com/images?q=doctor
http://images.google.com/images?q=beautiful+sunrise
http://images.google.com/images?q=barack+obama+smoking
http://images.google.com/images?q=israeli+palestinian+conflict
http://images.google.com/images?q=cute+turtle
Yep, not related in any way at all!

My posts, subjective? You are the one who keeps basing your assumption on subjective statements. You're speaking of "american culture" as if the term only includes WASPs with blond hair. That is such a false assumption- American culture includes elements from every group, race, ethnicity in the United States. You are being subjective when you think that America thinks Barack Obama, Jeremy Piven, Noam Chomsky, Jerry Yang and Stacy Ferguson don't hold a voice or part in the American culture. I'm sure many Americans would consider your subjectivity very darn offensive.

 

[*Bianca*]

When I google image 'trashy look' the results inlcude pictures of Iselin, Natasha Poly, and Karmen Pedaru

 

[michyed]

^Mine shows a bunch of p*rn stars (moderate safesearch, wouldn't even want to imagine what I'd get on "off"). Is your safesearch on strict?

 

[*Bianca*]

I'll have to check.

Maybe it just knows I'm model-obsessed

ETA: I do get Britney, Pam Anderson and some other celebs, but then I also get Givenchy SS09.

 

[michyed]

^That, or I know too many p*rn stars This is quite worrying

 

[michyed]

The "Plastic" looks of Japan, from least extreme to most extreme Enjoy!

Himegyaru (princess girl)

facebook gyaru group

B-Gyaru (a more hip-hop inspired style)

Gyaru (more popular. the term Gyaru is just katakana for "girl")

facebook gyaru group

Ganguro (meaning black faced girls)

bougies.wordpress.com, facebook gyaru group

Yamanba/manba (meaning mountain witch or something along the lines of that in japanese

freewebs.com/galinternational, facebook gyaru group

Because this look is worn by so many non-Asians girls, the japanese actually have a name for non-Asians wearing the look. Forgot what it was though!

Gal fashion facebook group

 

[saann]

LMAO

well they certainly stand out from the crowd

imagine being too lazy to wash your makeup before going to bed
the stains

 

[michyed]

^Most of them rarely bother... In fact the ones that sport the more extreme looks (and aren't famous) are mainly runaways who can't afford much- and they spend all the cash they have in tanning salons. You see that white stuff on their faces? It's usually liquid white out...

 

[PinkGoddess]

Never did I ever say that there exists a correlation between plasticity and intelligence. It wasn't even implied in my statement.

So what exactly did you mean when you said "those judgements exist for a reason" in response to criticisms regarding sexuality and intelligence?

I've stressed it enough, there is no such thing as correlation between two categorical variables. How are you somehow capable of twisting a statement like "those judgments exist for a reason" into some statistically significant matter?

I'm not the one who twisted anything into statistics, you brought them up in the first place. I merely pointed out that racism doesn't cause people to uphold a certain look as an ideal, though there is obviously some connection.

http://images.google.com/images?q=doctor
http://images.google.com/images?q=beautiful+sunrise
http://images.google.com/images?q=barack+obama+smoking
http://images.google.com/images?q=israeli+palestinian+conflict
http://images.google.com/images?q=cute+turtle
Yep, not related in any way at all!

Those searches all involve simple requests. On the first page alone when "American femininity" is typed in, not ONE result has anything to do with what the ideal in American femininity is, and most don't even combine the meaning of both words.

My posts, subjective? You are the one who keeps basing your assumption on subjective statements. You're speaking of "american culture" as if the term only includes WASPs with blond hair. That is such a false assumption- American culture includes elements from every group, race, ethnicity in the United States. You are being subjective when you think that America thinks Barack Obama, Jeremy Piven, Noam Chomsky, Jerry Yang and Stacy Ferguson don't hold a voice or part in the American culture. I'm sure many Americans would consider your subjectivity very darn offensive.

Again, you're speaking subjectively. You're talking about what the ideal should be based on the fact that American culture is wide-ranging and inclusive of many different racial/cultural groups. I never said it wasn't. I'm talking of what America does uphold as its ideal for female beauty.

 

[Munz]

The Japanese "Princess Girls" are disturbing!

 

[dumbfairy]

I actually admire those girls for looking like that!

 

[michyed]

^Yeah there are mixed opinions about those girls... The japanese themselves really frown upon them (because of the social "controversies" that come with that style...) but the international community tends to praise them for being bold/expressive... etc.

The gyaru look is actually quite nice when it's toned down though!

avexnet

livedoor.jp

 

[Ryan Riverz]

^ I like that look.

When I think of the "plastic look" my mind automatically goes to those creepy children's pageants, like this -

(homepages.vvm.com)

(breskiblogs.files.wordpress.com)

(t0.gstatic.com)

I mean, wow. Seriously.

 

[*Bianca*]

1 and 3 are so crazily airbrushed... it's beyond ridiculous. as if anyone would actually look at that and think the child looks like that in real life what are they thinking?

sick, sick parents

 

[luisa]

those child pageants are disturbing

 

[michyed]

^Those children remind me of the ones in the newest South Park episode...

 

[Ryan Riverz]

^Those children remind me of the ones in the newest South Park episode...

I lol'd.

 

[Empress Merel]

Man, I can't tell them apart from real girls or dolls. I mean, just wow. And not in a positive way.