Pressure to be ‘Beautiful’ Higher than Ever

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“The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report” was one of the largest studies of its kind in efforts to understand women and girls across the globe. The survey interviewed 10,500 females in 13 different countries and found that majority of women and girl’s confidence in their bodies is on a steady decline in each country.

Despite the decline, 71% of women and 67% of girls answered that it was time to change beauty norms and request better portraying of the diversity women in the media. The study also showed that 85% of women and 79% of girls will avoid important life activities, such as joining a club or team, or engaging with family members, when they don’t feel good about the way they look.

“With this new research, we hope to inspire women and girls everywhere to develop a positive relationship with the way they look." —Victoria Sjardin

Survey Results

  • 7 in 10 girls with low body-esteem say they won’t be assertive in their opinion or stick to their decision if they aren’t happy with the way they look.
  • 9 out of 10 women will stop themselves from eating or put their health at risk if they aren’t happy with their appearance.
  • 69% of women and 65% of girls responded that advertising and media show unrealistic standards of beauty and increase appearance anxiety.
  • 56% of women recognize that our “always on” social media culture strives for constant perfection.
  • Nearly 8 in 10 women (78%) of both women and girls feel pressure to never make mistakes or show weakness.

Some Positive Numbers

  • 60% of women believe they need to meet certain beauty standards, but at the same time, 77% of women agree that it is important to be their own person and not copy others.
  • 83% of women and 77% of girls say they want to look their “personal best” rather than follow someone else’s definition of  “beautiful.”
  • Majority of all women and girls, 83% and 82% respectively, agree that every woman has something about them that is beautiful.

"For over 50 years, Dove has been committed to creating a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety,” said Victoria Sjardin, senior global director, of Dove Masterbrand. “With this new research, we hope to inspire women and girls everywhere to develop a positive relationship with the way they look."

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