russia has launched a full-scale war in Ukraine! Donate to the charity fund to support Ukraine and protect the world’s peace.

Support Ukraine

logo

Headway App

(81,672)

FREE - on the App Store

INSTALL NOW
library / 
book

Summary of The Beauty Myth 

4.5 . 1081 reviews

Short summary

Being stuck in a constant battle to meet society’s expectations of physical beauty is exhausting. New hair colors, different makeup techniques, perky breasts, a flat stomach, the list goes on. Women around the world are caught in the beauty myth, an unwavering focus on what society deems to be physically perfect. The truth? The idea of perfection is different depending upon who you ask, and achieving something completely unnatural is simply going to lead to negative places. Is it any wonder that many women struggle with low self-esteem, low self-worth, and even eating disorders? Attempting to reach an impossible so-called beauty standard is a losing battle, but it’s one that countless women attempt every day. Dr. Naomi Wolf, best-selling author and University of Oxford graduate, attempts to break down this myth and understand what drives this obsession with reaching so-called perfection.

Table of content

  • Summary of The Beauty Myth
  • About the author
  • What is The Beauty Myth about?
  • Who should read The Beauty Myth
  • Topics in The Beauty Myth
first key point

The truth behind the beauty myth

Listen the first key point
00:00
00:00
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Most women will admit to being less than pleased with the reflection that appears in the mirror, but when you ask them why their answers are shocking.

It’s often not that they don’t think they’re beautiful; it’s that they’re trying to measure up to what society says is beautiful. The so-called ideal of physical beauty includes having long blonde hair, white skin, a skinny body but large enough breasts, and being just the right height to carry it all off. The sheer number of women who fit this actual picture naturally is small, yet that doesn’t stop huge numbers from attempting to reach an impossible ideal.
Society has an unspoken rule that a woman must look a certain way to be considered beautiful. Who made these rules?
Trying to fit into a category such as this can be extremely damaging for women. Not only can it put their physical health at risk through trying fad diets and cosmetic surgery, but it’s hugely dangerous for mental health too. Being made to feel that you’re not good enough just as you are can lead to depression, anxiety, and stress.

The problem is that women have become obsessed with this so-called ideal, and losing weight or looking “just so” is considered more desirable than anything else. The surprising thing is that all of this has peaked at a time when women have had more power than at any other time in the past. Despite that, we’re pushing ourselves back decades or even centuries by trying to chase nothing more than a myth.
Women are in a stronger position socially and professionally than ever before. The myth of having to look a certain way pushes back that progress.
Naomi Wolf argues that all of this has occurred now because it’s the only way to control women in a world where women have more opportunities than ever. If society can’t hold you down professionally, it will knock you back by making you lack confidence due to your appearance.

The other side of the beauty myth is that a woman’s appearance somehow reflects her fertility. A strong, attractive man will seek out a woman who is the epitome of beauty, not because he finds her fantastic to look at and speak to, but because he assumes, subconsciously, that she will be very successful reproductively. Of course, in reality, none of this is true, and all it does is keep men in charge and women held back.

Did you know? Studies by the National Organization for Women have shown that over half of American girls are unhappy with how their bodies look by the age of 13.
second key point

The “ideal beauty” varies from culture to culture

The definition of beauty isn’t just an American or western thing; it’s something that takes place across the world. However, what one culture considered beautiful may be different to another. For example, Naomi Wolf explains that while perky, rounded breasts are considered beautiful in the western world, the women of Padaung aspire to a less perky and more natural look.
book
Continue reading with Headway app
Continue reading
Full summary is waiting for you in the app
third key point

As women break through the glass ceiling, another challenge arrives

fourth key point

Society forces women to question who they are supposed to be

fifth key point

Even sex is used as a marketing ploy against women

sixth key point

The beauty myth is causing eating disorders to skyrocket

seventh key point

Being fed a false narrative of what is normal leads to worrying places

eighth key point

Conclusion

Buy full book on AmazonContinue the summary

What is The Beauty Myth about?

Who should read The Beauty Myth

book
book

Enjoy summarized nonfiction bestsellers

Grasp the book’s key ideas in less than 15 minutes

Get started

Get new knowledge easily

Let’s check how many titles you can finish in a month with Headway! Tell us how much time you’d like to spend on reading:

2 min/day
5 min/day
10 min/day
15 min/day
20 min/day
30 min/day
45 min/day
4 titles/month
10 titles/month
20 titles/month
30 titles/month
40 titles/month
60 titles/month
90 titles/month
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
4 titles/month
10 titles/month
20 titles/month
30 titles/month
40 titles/month
60 titles/month
90 titles/month
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image
image

Join 30+ million learners around the world

60K5 reviews on App Store and Google Play
icon

Everything you need to be motivate, to learn & to self improves is all here. I actually do appreciate the reminders because otherwise this wouldn’t work for me. Thank you

icon

sandypantalones

icon

Headway is the answer! No longer accumulating books I never read. With Headway, I initially chose the areas important to me such as productivity, time management, etc., and each day I'm provided several book summaries from which I devote 20 minutes or more each day reading. All of this on my phone! My life has improved with Headway. Truly my most useful app.

icon

Carol Slinker

icon

An excellent concept, executed well. Headway can help you retain what you've read while introducing you to the essential core of new information. It's an easier way to stay inspired, and to be reminded of the mental tools you've learned

icon

Fuse Henry

icon

In today’s world, we rarely have time. Between our jobs, our families are social obligations, when do we have time to grow and develop ourselves? Headway is an excellent app that gives you that time it gives you those little snippets of information that you need to direct your focus in on your life. Headway gives you a chance to find out the meat of a book that you might want to purchase and read or listen to in-depth without wasting a lot of time trying to figure out is this book for me? I highly recommend the app.

icon

sleepy sprite

icon

The selections are on point and the summaries are excellent! I listen while I walk my pup 🐶 and have in turn, ordered a few selections! REALLY loving the app, it’s layout, daily selections and features!

icon

JuicyBaby328

icon

I've gotten multiple books out of the library with the intent to read them, but always have a hard time finding the time. This app has helped me finally be able to get to them. Summarized, yes, and thank goodness too! Just short enough I can finish one on my way picking kids up from school/practice, or while I'm cooking dinner. I can't wait to listen to them over the summer when we visit the beach!

icon

Jillian Emmert

icon

It amazed me! There is the possibility to highlight the most important points of each book and instantly translate unfamiliar vocabulary. With the ability to review the searched words. It's a great way to learn more about English as well. The price is great.

icon

Fiamma

icon

I’m enjoying what I’m learning on headway.each summary comes with quotes at the end which you can save to help you remember key points. You can listen or read, I’ve found that reading puts me to sleep before I can finish but the listening feature keeps me engaged and I can finish in a brief amount of time if not one session.

icon

Epic waters

icon

The app it’s so easy to use. I use it while driving or cooking and is great. I love the fact that the chapters are short, so you can finish them quickly. Very knowledgeable.

icon

kathytaveras

icon

The best app for self development.It helps to keep pace with your reading and also suggests the kind of reading material you might like.It is fun as you can switch from reading to listening and vice-versa as per your convenience .Just get started and partake of the treasure of knowledge at your fingertips .I feel lucky to have spotted the app.It has helped me become self-disciplined and much better informed.The audio track is excellent.

icon

anita yadav

icon

Exactly what I need! I always have booklist to read, but can't committed enough to finish/start bc of too much pages. Headway is really helpful and concise with their summary. What I love the most is that the essence of the book is well crafted, so I don't only read the key points, but also there's the story and how personality of the author still well shown through the summary. Well done!

icon

Feninda Amalia

icon

This is outstanding best app ever and honestly whoever came up with is my app is an absolute genius kudos my gratitude definitely goes out and I’m only on my first week free trial and I’m certainly going to purchase this app annually. Now that I have it, I can’t even imagine living without it.

icon

Darlin NIKKIDOLL0923