Discrimination Against Ugly People
April 7, 2005 · By Tom Cerber
A recent study tries to demonstrate a correlation between beauty (or what North Americans take as beauty) plays a role in how much money you make:
Research analyst Kristie Engemann and economist Michael Owyang looked at the possible link between appearance and wages by evaluating previous surveys and research. Their conclusion: It helps to be tall, slender and attractive.
Less clear was whether the less attractive are victims of bias, or if good-looking people tend to develop self-confidence and social skills that simply enhance their marketability.
“It doesn’t’ seem like anti-discrimination laws, even if you enforce them strictly, would be a magic bullet,” Owyang said.
The researchers cited one study that found a “plainness penalty” of 9 percent in wages â€??? meaning a person with below-average looks tended to earn 9 percent less than those with average looks â€??? and a “beauty premium” of 5 percent.
I’m reminded of Aristophanes’ play, The Assemblywomen, where the women take over Athens and legislate that all must be equal. True equality must go beyond redistributing wealth - Marx is too conservative. Rather, equality begins by ensuring biological equality. They legislated that ugly people would have to mate with beautiful people. You know, give everyone a chance. So ugly old men would mate with beautiful young women (if they still could) and old hags could find themselves a gorgeous pool boy.
All for equality.
I don’t make enough money. From now on, I will advocate that ugly people like me deserve Charter Canadian status. C’mon give me some money. I’m waiting.
[...] we need to do is redefine “normal.” However, if you’ve kept up with my Aristophanic criticism of egalitarianism, being considered “normal” [...]
ur gay and u touch urself at night!!!!!
As a unattractive woman of below average looks, I have seen the disparity attributed to those who do not meet the physical aesthetics of todays looks based society. I make below the acceptable wage for a person with three years of advanced educational merits. I feel ostracized by those around me in social situations and have little to no contact with others in forging positive relationships. Even family members have treated me poorly do to my homely appearance and take no initiative in my personal aspirations and goals leaving me feeling isolated and useless. Is their any positive advance for a self acclaimed wall flower alone in an unacceptable world? Would love some feedback!
Ms. Fagen,
Go nerd. Seriously. I’m not saying this out of cruelty, such as “lower your standards”, but “nerds”, “geeks” and other social outcase will be more liekly to apprecaite your intelligence and talents. Being on the outside of the whole social thing themselves, they are also more likely to understand what you are going through. And best of all, in a while when looks fade, you’ll still have your smarts and personality, with the added bonus of a caring companion who sees more to you that your outward appearance.
Sorry for the mispelled words; I’m a lousy typist.
Ugly discrimination is real. Check out http://www.looksaware.com, the world’s first ugly rights, research and discrimination site.
Dear Anonymous
Though I appreciate your keen insight into finding a rational solution to my personal dilemma, what you are plainly advocating is an “ugly people alliance club.” The “nerds”, “geeks” and other so-called socially unacceptable “misfits” banding together to unite as one pathetic one. This ideology is not only perpetrating a negative stereotype but it emboldens the stigma that face those who are discriminated against based solely on physicality and image. What we need to espouse is a slogan that treats every individual fairly and equal. Why should the beautiful receive all the aplomb!
Dear Anonymous
Though I appreciate your keen insight into finding a rational solution to my dilemma, the sentiment I interpreted by your response was that the “geeks, “nerds” and “misfits” should all band together since no one else will accept them! We as a society can do better than rewarding the so called beautiful and stigmatizing the less than comely.