“ Appearance should be a source of pleasure, not of shame. Individuals should be able to make decisions about whether to enhance their attractiveness without being judged either politically incorrect or professionally unacceptable. Our ideals of appearance should reflect diversity across race, ethnicity, age, and body size. In this ideal world, the importance of appearance would not be overstated. Nor would it spill over to employment and educational contexts in which judgments should be based on competence, not cosmetics. Women should not be held to higher standards than men. Neither would they be subject to sexualized grooming requirements unless sex is the commodity being sold. Women’s self-esteem would be tied to accomplishment, not appearance. In order for appearance to be a source of enjoyment rather than anxiety, it cannot dictate women’s self worth.
— Deborah L. Rhode, The Beauty Bias
