A3 Refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book

Beauty as Gendered Inequality




AuthorsSarpila, Outi; Brans, Luuc; Kuipers, Giselinde

EditorsKuipers, Giselinde; Sarpila, Outi

Publication year2026

Book title Handbook of Beauty and Inequality

Series titleHandbooks of Sociology and Social Research

First page 77

Last page90

ISBN978-3-032-08034-9

eISBN978-3-032-08035-6

ISSN1389-6903

eISSN2542-839X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-08035-6_6

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-08035-6_6

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515698878

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Gender is one of the most common perspectives through which the relation between beauty and inequality is studied. Recently, as our academic understanding of gender and gender systems in society shifts, academics are rethinking the triangular relation between beauty, inequality, and gender. Against this backdrop, this chapter discusses how beauty and appearance are gendered, and how this is related to inequalities of gender and beyond. We examine the gendered nature of beauty, highlighting beauty standards, beauty practices, and the social norms surrounding them. After, we discuss unequal gender outcomes of beauty/appearance, and the mechanisms suggested to explain them. Finally, we ask what might be lost or overlooked in current approaches that often take on a binary gender perspective. We suggest that future research can break new ground by paying more explicit and critical attention to the shifting gender systems (and the resistance this sparks), by analyzing beauty and gender in intersectional terms, and by going beyond the gender binary.


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Last updated on 06/03/2026 10:05:35 AM