Looks, intelligence hold significant value in cultures

By Alexis Austin

austina@mytjnow.com

Despite intelligence being more important in some cultures, looks still plays a large role in various cultures. Graphic by Courtney Niskala • niskalac@mytjnow.comA nice body, an IQ of 150, and a bank account with a balance of at least six zeroes behind the first number—according to the media this is having it all. From magazines to the internet to television there is always someone who is beautiful, smart and rich and portraying these things as the key to having a perfect life.

Across cultures, the importance of looks, intelligence, and status varies.

Julian Aguilar, junior integrated marketing communication major, believes that in American culture looks are most important.

“Body image is seen as more important because on television, in films and in music you see perfect people,” he said. “In magazines everything is photoshopped to look flawless and puts that ‘perfect’ mentality in our heads.”

Freshman early childhood education major Stanley Kennedy thinks the same is true for African Americans.

“Looks seem more important because it’s the first thing you come across when you meet someone,” Kennedy said.

Both Aguilar and Kennedy said the media has influenced their views on looks.

“I wish I could be like that,” Aguilar said. “But I’m not going to change who I am to fit that mold.”

Kennedy said the media has had both a positive and negative effect on not only himself but people he knows as well.

He recalled that while eating at McDonald’s recently, his friend left the table because someone coming near the table was not attractive.

“A friend of my mine got up and moved because he thought the person that was coming near the table wasn’t cute. When he got up to leave he said ‘I don’t associate with ugly people’ and left,” Kennedy said. 

“It not’s fair that we should judge who our friends are by how they look.”

Kennedy said he doesn’t pay much attention to the media because it makes you think you have to look a certain way.

Christina Wieselthaler, senior journalism major from Austria,  said in her country what you value depends on your age.

“In the younger generation, they value looks more,” she said. “As you get older that tends to change.”

Sophomore sports management major Corey Walker believes that in African American culture, intelligence is more important than looks or status.

“People who are more intelligent get more respect in African American culture,” he said.

Siera Lewis, sophomore integrated marketing communication major, agrees with Walker.

“Blacks, male and female, have to show what they know,” she said. “We have to be able to work effectively and stand out from the crowd.”

Walker and Lewis also agree that looks and the media still play a role in African American culture.

“Looks are a big deal but intelligence is more prominent,” Walker said.

“The media has influenced the way I dress, talk and present myself to people,” Lewis said. “There are positive things in the media; you just have to look for them.”

Intelligence is also important in French culture, said Valentine Thai, junior integrated marketing communication major.

“We care more about what you think and what’s on your mind,” she said. “In France, culture and knowledge are very important. We don’t just attend concerts and movies; we also go to museums and art performances.”

Thai said looks and appearances are important in French culture but not valued as much as it is in America.

“We have our own opinions and we’re not influenced by the media as much,” she said. Appearance is important but you have to be smart.”

Appearance seems to play a role in every culture, although it may not be as important as intelligence or status. Everyone may not have the beauty, high IQ, or large bank account like the people on television, but that doesn’t mean they cannot have everything life has to offer.