《文化对比阅读》(上) Unit 9--Beauty Standards 6. Asian Men Under the American Beauty Standard.docVIP

Asian Men under the American Beauty Standard Unknown Some may find it counter-intuitive, but beauty may enhance a man’s sexual attractiveness even more dramatically than it does a woman’s. Why so much action for handsome men? It turns out that symmetry, a central element of beauty, is an excellent indicator of lifelong health. Men with less symmetrical features suffer more from problems like insomnia and nasal congestion and more emotional turbulence like anger, jealousy and withdrawl, according to a University of Michigan study. Features that make men attractive signal their fitness to sire healthy offspring. Consider big jaws, a masculine feature that universally makes women swoon. Turns out big jaws take abundant levels of extra androgens (male hormones) like testosterone. High androgen levels compromise the immune system. Therefore, a man with square jaws signal high resistence to disease, a valuable survival trait. Other masculine features found to be universally attractive — to both men and women — include a straight strong nose, strong chin, rugged brows, prominent cheekbones and full lips. Under the prevailing American view white men are the embodiments of the masculine ideal while Asian men are relegated to off-brand status. However, as shown in Part I, the proportions of beautiful faces of all races converge toward a universal ideal. Comparisons of caucasian and Asian facial features against these standards (see chart below) don’t support the view that caucasian men have a monopoly on the physical traits adding up to the masculine ideal. Emotionalism Toward Asian Men The skew in favor of caucasian male features is a product of a social overlay that incorporates economic, cultural and political factors. Until recently, all three factors have favored caucasian features. White men have been generally seen as wealthier, more cultured and more considerate while Asian men have been seen as impoverished, uncouth and self-centered. To an even greater degree th