Ugly Betty now in South Africa is an Ugly Role Model
Driving around Johannesburg, I’ve noticed several huge billboards advertising the new show on M-NET, Ugly Betty. The reviews are all positive in the South African media, like this one by Tashi Tagg. And this is to be expected because we live in a politically correct country, or some would say world. Now I have not watched this television show and have no intention of doing so based on my opinion of this show. And what may this opinion be, you ask?
Ugly Betty is meant to make women feel like there is more to life than being a physically attractive woman. And most men would likely agree, to avoid being labelled a sexist or a misogynist, that this is true. Now let’s look at the reality of the situation. There are many brilliant books on evolutionary psychology and sexual behaviour that prove, scientifically, that men are attracted to attractive females because they are more likely to produce healthy offspring and that in turn ensures the long-term survival of the species. Just two books you can reference for this effect are as follows:
There have been many studies to show that more attractive people get more opportunities in the workplace, in social circles, etc. So this negative role model does not, in my opinion, help any woman understand what the reality is in the world. In America, where obesity is now almost at epidemic proportions, there is anecdotal evidence that this show is giving fat women an excuse not to try and lose weight. Most people are plain lazy when it comes to working on their physical appearance, yet these same people are likely to judge others on their first impressions and therefore on their physical appearance. So what I am saying here is that we should rather point women to role models like Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie. These women work exceptionally hard in their careers and still manage to look stunning whenever they make a public appearance or film.