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The Mitford Affair


An explosive novel of history's most notorious sisters, one of whom will have to...
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How do you think German beauty standards were shaped by fascist ideas? What social issues do you feel are reflected in our modern beauty trends?

Created: 01/12/23

Replies: 8

Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How do you think German beauty standards were shaped by fascist ideas? What social issues do you feel are reflected in our modern beauty trends?

Diana and Unity are reprimanded for attending the Nuremberg rally wearing bright lipstick. How do you think German beauty standards were shaped by fascist ideas? What social issues do you feel are reflected in our modern beauty trends?


Posted Jan. 12, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Loveslife

Join Date: 08/01/15

Posts: 66

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

German beauty standards of that time in Germany were greatly influenced by the Nazi belief in pure Aryan standards. Many of the very horrible and negative practices of the Nazis were to control what they believed were pure Aryan genes. Our own beauty standards are changing slowly to be more inclusive of diverse body types and cultures. It is my hope that children born today will see a greater love for all types of people and there will be room to authentically embrace each culture, body type, and gender.


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ruthiea

Join Date: 02/03/14

Posts: 271

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

I think there is a beauty ideal in every society and they change. In Hitler's case it is interesting that his Aryan ideal is the total opposite to himself - tall, blond, symmetrical features etc. He seemed to be a bit prudish about his ideal woman, no make-up, restrained behaviour, conservative clothing. This made it easier to turn anyone who didn't fit this mold into "the other" and "less than".
The powerful men in his circle of power were mostly fat and ugly!


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
viquig

Join Date: 06/25/14

Posts: 82

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

In order to fit into the restrictive Germany society under Hitler, women had to adopt beauty standards espoused by him and the fascist leaders of that time. If they strayed from this standard, women could be identified as non-Aryan, a potential danger for them. The German beauty standard during Hitler's reign included little or no make-up, blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin, tall in stature. Of course not all German women could have all those traits, but those were the traits of a "beautiful woman".


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

I think most societies have a beauty standard, be it right or wrong, but very few carry it to the extreme that we saw in the Nazi culture. Today we give lip service to the "everyone is beautiful" trend but if you scratch the surface, you will find that it's everyone who generally meets a height, weight and symmetry of features.


Posted Jan. 13, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

Ruthieamis right! Hitler wanted control. And he thought the Aryan race superior. BUt was he Aryan? He sure didn't look like it! And no one thought to ask??


Posted Jan. 14, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Elizabetta

Join Date: 04/24/21

Posts: 48

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

German beauty standards of that era emphasized a return to Aryan beauty. In Nazi Germany the ideal women was large boned, naturally beautiful and didn’t need makeup, jewelry and other affectations espoused by modern Western cultures. This ideal was just another way to control the population, especially women whose primary job was to bear children and further the Aryan race.

Modern beauty trends are beginning to reflect a diversified society, but we still have a long way to go. We espouse diversity and inclusivity, but society still holds on to an idealized standard that often has a negative impact.


Posted Jan. 22, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
juliep

Join Date: 04/07/12

Posts: 250

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

The Aryan ideal, as defined by Hitler, seemed to espouse a more natural woman, without makeup, but women at that time were supposed to be conservative, be in the background, and raise lots of children. I think today’s view of a beautiful woman is less confined, more open to different ethnicities, different body types, and hopefully embraces a wide variety of beauty.


Posted Feb. 11, 2023 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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patriciag

Join Date: 07/11/14

Posts: 69

RE: How do you think German beauty ...

The Aryan ideal outlined by Hitler seemed to make quite a difference to the Mitford sisters, part of what attracted them to Nazi philosophy perhaps. They took advantage of their natural height and slim figures and adopted Hitler's requirements for lack of makeup and obsequious behavior to match the ideal. Society's standards today allow for a wide range of individual expression. Age, body type, ethnicity are all part of the mix.


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