Like it or not, the world is a superficial place, and pretty privilege is proof that beauty still opens doors that talent or effort alone cannot.

Pretty privilege refers to the tendency for attractive people to receive more opportunities than their less attractive counterparts. I see that my classmates who are considered “pretty” are usually popular with the boys, while “unattractive” girls are often teased.

Pretty privilege means letting looks outweigh effort, talent, or character. Pretty privilege is toxic.

Evidence of pretty privilege in society

On social media, people’s reactions in the comment sections often depend on how attractive they find the person in the post. If viewers perceive an influencer as attractive, they will flood the comment section with compliments and admiration, while throwing hatred and dehumanizing comments at those they consider unattractive.

For instance, in this video, you can see negative comments and initial skepticism directed at Susan Boyle before she started her performance on Britain’s Got Talent, even when she’s just stepping onto stage for the first time. She is a prime example of how people make snap judgments and are rude based entirely on outward appearance. Her looks and fashion don’t meet the public’s beauty standard, and she is therefore initially treated kind of rudely. Then when she sings, people are surprised, like singing ability and looks are somehow related.

Besides trolls being critical of public figures online, pretty privilege also exists around us in real life. At the workplace, school, or in restaurants, more attractive people often receive more leniency or better service.

I once saw two groups of girls in my class making fun of a boy by writing rude comments about him on the whiteboard. The boy was furious after seeing what they had written, but he focused his anger solely on the group of girls that he thought were less pretty and ignored the girls he thought were prettier. That moment made me realize how looks can shape people’s behavior and reactions.

Beauty as a social construct

People perpetuate pretty privilege because they, consciously or not, value whatever unrealistic beauty standard is adhered to at a given moment. Social media and peer pressure sustain this standard. We want to look good; we want to be attractive.

For example, Cha Eun Woo gets lots of acting offers as main roles from TV show directors because he’s handsome. Even when reviews of his K-drama say his acting skills are bad, lacking emotional depth and range, he still plays the main role in lots of TV shows. Producers are eager to cast him just because of his facial symmetry, while lots of skilled actors only end up getting minor roles.

The dangers of pretty privilege

While being pretty may seem like a blessing, it can also be a burden and hurt those who benefit from it. Pretty people face pressure to maintain their appearance. They might stop eating; they might start wearing make-up every single day. However, they’re hurting themselves to conform to unrealistic beauty standards that society has set up.

In addition, pretty individuals might face difficulty in building genuine relationships. If one of my classmates is attractive, I might naturally feel more inclined to approach and talk to them. But looks and personality don’t necessarily go hand in hand. It’s possible that her personality doesn’t match my energy, yet I might still choose to maintain the friendship simply because having a good-looking friend feels appealing in a superficial way.

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Pretty privilege is a real phenomenon and it’s a problem. It’s biased and an unfair treatment of those who have beauty as an advantage.

But recognizing pretty privilege isn’t about blaming those who benefit from it – it’s seeing that society is allowing this privilege to happen. To face it, we have to first become aware of our own biases toward attractive people. Learn to actively recognize the harm this privilege can cause. Until we all learn this, society will keep rewarding symmetry over substance, and that’s a pretty ugly truth.