Go to any supermarket and compare the number of shops and number of items relating to women's garments, accessories and makeup to those of men. I won't be surprised if the proportion turns out to be 4:1 or more. Some would immediately say it is the doing of the marketing wizards of the industry who have created the demand for all sorts of beauty and fashion products. However, it is equally true that in women they have found a “soft target”. This is not happening with men folk with that much of aggression. Recently this thought struck me, or rather, the thought was always in my mind, but recently it refused to go away that why is this so?
Is it the way it is and has been since time immemorial - remember Biblical Delilah, legendary Cleopatra and the Moghul empress Noor Jahan who were supposed to be Divas in their days - suggesting that the female of the species are instinctively (Gene structure and all those things) more "feminine" hence like to be delicate and dandy? Or is it another of the male domination thing - making the female an ornamental object?
I tried to test both of these hypotheses by asking some women of substance who I come across. The replies lead me to believe that the second premise is more near the truth than the first. Reasons -
• A man with a pot belly, balding head and blackheads all over his face is good enough to get a job, seek a girl for marriage or get invited to parties. He can be a jolly fellow, be the life of a party or even attain a high position in career and society. A woman with similar attributes is generally advised a complete cosmetic make over – remember “Ugly Betty” or its Indian avatar – “Jassi”
• Most of the women who are successful are either already good looking or try to look good. Some brave ones who do not toe the line, are ridiculed as uninteresting old fashioned hags or whatever. I am not aware of any research in this matter but my belief is that it is not relevant if you are a man.
