Everyone thinks beautiful women have it made—but not so according to a professor at the University of Colorado School of Business.
In a study released in the Journal of Social Psychology, assistant professor Stephanie Johnson indicates attractive women are discriminated against when it comes to applying for jobs that are considered masculine. Jobs like mechanical engineer, finance director, construction supervisor, prison guard, tow truck driver and director of security seem to be off limits to beautiful women. Johnson says “In these professionals being attractive was highly detrimental to women but in every other kind of job attractive women were preferred.”
Newsweek seems to back up Johnson’s findings. In a survey involving 202 hiring managers and 964 “regular” people, it was determined that looks matter in every aspect of the workplace and they mattered more for women.
What do you think? Are women discriminated in certain jobs because of their looks? And could that explain why so many boomer women are undergoing cosmetic surgery in order to retore their beauty and youthful appearance?
This does not surprise me. Discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes and while it was always perceived that being attractive was a “good thing,” in some cases it is not. It remains very obvious that people continue to be judged based on their looks. Nevermind their schooling, skills, experience and their natural abilities. If you don’t have the right look, are not good looking enough and too good looking, you don’t fit in.
This is not new and certainly not new to someone who has had to fight her way through the blatant confusion of men when they had to work with me! An attractive, black female, Facilities Manager. To them, I would have been better suited behind a desk as a receptionist greeting everyone with a smile. (I am not knocking receptionists, merely making a point).
There are cases however when less “unattractive” women/people apply for positions and are immediately turned down as well. Companies have a reputation and if they have not established one yet, they want a good one. That includes, hiring good looking people….if you stay in your lane!
Now, let’s not be mistaken here…while looks should not matter, they just do! Particularly as women become older, they are now faced with this thing called “ageism” as well; hence, the plastic surgery, wearing clothes that are for teenagers and make-up that is more fitting for a clown in a circus. It’s a terrible, terrible web that we live and get caught up in.
Know who you are and believe in that.