Australian and South African Beauty Standards Explained
Australia and South Africa have very different beauty standards for women and men. This can leave many wondering which measure they should strive for if they want to succeed in either country’s society.
However, both regions have some similarities regarding physical attractiveness and dating norms, but that does not mean that you should expect the same treatment across the board when dating in Australia or South Africa. We will discuss Australian and South African beauty standards to clarify any confusion about which standards apply.
What are beauty standards?
Beauty standards are what society dictates as beautiful or attractive. Beauty standards are vastly different worldwide, causing conflict regarding beauty ideals in intercultural relationships, particularly between Australia and South Africa. Australia is a country that has a long history of colonialism. Therefore they were exposed to a majority white population for many years, which affects their beauty ideals today.
Their idea of beauty is based on White European features such as blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, etcetera. In contrast, South Africa is a very diverse country with numerous cultures, including indigenous people and Europeans; these cultures have set up their ideas on what makes someone beautiful.
The History Behind Australian Beauty Standards?
Australians have always had a thing for blonde hair, golden skin, and tanned. You see it in our celebrities (Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie) and on social media (why are you trying to get that tan looking like Blake Lively?). But what’s behind our love for all things sun-kissed? Australia’s history has something to do with it. Our country was once under British rule. If you know anything about Britain, then you know that they’re pretty pale compared to most of us.
This meant we were more than used to pale people when we became an independent nation in 1901. Our currency was made up of images of white people until 1966! It’s no wonder many of us aspire to look more European – even if we don’t realize it! And suppose Europeans have anything going for them other than their flawless complexions.
In that case, they can sport summery styles year-round without getting heatstroke or breaking out into hives. This is thanks mainly to central heating and air conditioning systems – two luxuries not found anywhere near as often here Down Under!
The History Behind South African Beauty Standards?
The Dutch started colonizing in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. Dutch settlers brought a few enslaved people with them, but their harsh working conditions led to high mortality rates. Colonists began to bring in enslaved people from Indonesia, Madagascar, India, and Malaysia. The first large group of non-African enslaved people arrived in 1689 after a slave ship headed for Brazil went aground off St. Helena Bay.
Over time, intermarriage among different ethnic groups created a diverse population called Coloureds or Cape Malays (people of Malay descent). The next significant wave of immigration came in 1820 when British colonists settled in Port Elizabeth and established a settlement on Algoa Bay called Grahamstown.
Britain abolished slavery in 1833, but it took a very long time for enslaved people to be freed throughout South Africa. When slavery ended, about 75,000 people living in South Africa had been born into slavery; another 50,000 had been paid free to parents who were also enslaved, and about 1 million people living elsewhere on plantations throughout Southern Africa still belonged to white owners.
Why are they important?
The social standard of beauty in countries can significantly impact how people see themselves. Even if you don’t care what others think, it might be time to check your reactions when you see beautiful women and handsome men around you. Do your eyes linger on them?
Do you automatically assume they are wealthy or essential? Do those around them admire their appearances? If so, it is a good idea to look at what’s going on with your internal reaction to beauty. Recognizing how society impacts your thoughts about yourself is an essential first step toward working through issues like low self-esteem. Take it slow, though—it might not be easy for everyone!
How do beauty standards differ between cultures?
The ideal body types vary from culture to culture, with some places preferring fuller figures. Women in Australia are under immense pressure to have a specific body type. The ideals for what constitutes beauty differ between countries around the world.
In Japan, for example, women who possess narrow shoulders and wide hips are considered attractive. In contrast, more petite women with flat chests tend to be more favored in Europe. More prominent women are seen as beautiful in some cultures but not in others; there is also significant variation regarding what constitutes beauty within a country’s borders. This can be true regarding hair color, waist-to-hip ratio, and breast size.
What does this mean for you?
You may not realize it, but your looks are highly influenced by where you live. For example, in certain countries, a pale complexion is thought to be more attractive, while others value darker complexions. We’re examining two distinct nations: Australia and South Africa. Both cultures have unique beauty standards that you can quickly capitalize on to look your best wherever you go.
We’ve even included a comprehensive skincare regimen for each region! Now, who wouldn’t want that? Whether you’re from or where you’re going next, we’ll help you look your best with our all-inclusive travel beauty kit that will take some guesswork out of personal care while traveling abroad. Don’t worry; it’s easy!
Conclusion
As you can see, both of these countries are very similar in what they consider beautiful. Still, at the same time, each country has its unique beauty standards. In general, most of these countries have different tastes in what is considered attractive.
Australia and New Zealand prefer a more European look, while South Africa tends to like a more Afro-centric look. It also varies from one race to another because there are different stereotypes between blacks in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
