Essay on Why Looks are the Last Bastion of Discrimination

Several reasons exist as to why an individual may not get employment on the job market today based on appearance discrimination. According to the book Why looks are the last Bastian discrimination written by Debora Rhodes who is also a professor of law in Stanford holding several other titles as a result of her outstanding works concerning legal matters. She argues in this book that appearance should not be amongst the aspects considered during job placement activities. Further, Rhodes addresses critical issues that are getting experienced even in our todays lives. She asserts that appearance discrimination should be incorporated into the laws dealing with anti-discrimination. This paper will critically address effects based on prejudice concerning gender, colour, race, attractiveness, appearance among other aspects of the similar nature in the work environment as stipulated from the book Why looks are the Last Bastion of Discrimination.

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In the book, the author argues that discrimination against individuals based on religion, sexual orientation, race amongst other aspects have been imperatively addressed. But discrimination against ones physical appearance has been entirely neglected. She outlines typical cases in which individuals were left out or terminated while securing employment opportunities due to physical appearance such as excessive weight gain. Nevertheless, some of these cases she accords are vital. It is crucial to understand that there is some profession whose primary qualification is your general appearance. It is adamantly next to impossible to see fashion models employed entirely based on the ability to work down a runway. The primary reason to eliminate discrimination against appearance is to concentrate on areas where the mentioned discrimination is ideally invalid to the job. This means that appearance has got nothing to do or has no any effect on the job.

Rhodes points out certain cases in why looks are the Last Bastion of Discrimination. A typical example is this in Michigan, for instance, a Hooters waitress sued the chain after she was told to lose weight and improve her looks. Lawyers for Hooters argued that employees at the restaurant who wear tank tops and tight shorts are entertainers as much as servers. (Rhodes 246). This part points out that attraction may is the major aspect consider in this setting. The attraction here had a direct bearing on the work getting performed. It was expected that the women in Hooters should get equipped with both ability to serve as waitresses in conjunction with attracting the men who were potential customers of the base. The rules and regulations that guide their dressing codes play critical roles. Their uniforms were sexualized to primarily pave the way for greater business opportunities as a result of attracting males.

The author also outlines several injustices that most individuals encounter in the working environments. She asserts to her audiences as everyday average ascertaining to the persons who identified with the plight of others. Admittedly, she builds up an argument that is compelling referring to personal stories and studies where such incidences have taken place. In her arguments, there are several flaws which entirely to some extent discredit her reasoning validation. The logic in her essay is fully attached to the working public as a whole which is both appropriate and consistent. However, it is virtually incomplete and partially believable. She argues that practising gender and racial discrimination while focusing on physical characteristics that are irrelevant undermines principles of equal opportunity and reinforces offensive stereotypes based on performance and merit. Such bias may substantially constrain personal freedom when choices related to grooming are incorporated.

Debora acknowledges that beauty lies on the beholder which she says it is the conventional wisdom, but it is different as most beholders ideally choose what is beautiful. Several pieces of research conducted reveal that when individuals are given opportunities to rate other peoples by attractiveness, they pose consistent responses inclusive of race, age, sex, cultural background and class. Skins that get admired universally tend to be unblemished and constitutes a facial symmetry. Men are favoured when they are tall whereas womens hourglass figures and light skins make then to be impressive as a result of such, it is beyond no doubt that we get discriminated from each other in general. According to Etcoff, attractive people are said to be intelligent, kind and likeable as compared to unattractive individuals who are seen as the opposite. Additionally, Puhl and Brownell published that individuals who are overweight are profoundly disadvantaged not only at school but also at work (Rhode 246).

In conclusion, we can never evade discrimination as much as we may try to avoid it. Our looks, actions and how we present ourselves, discriminates us against various scales. But individuals must not be distraught as a result of these issues. No matter the extent of which our physical appearance and looks may serve as possible parameters against which judgement are made, there must be specific standards for considering every situation. It is also important to understand the rules comprehensively. For instance, the waitress who was demoted from work as a result of gaining weight, the set standards of the casino were to retain an "Hourglass figure (Rhode 247). Altogether discrimination serves to be natural and inborn, and we should only discriminate to some exist and not entirely.

Work cited

Rhode, Deborah L. Why looks are the last bastion of discrimination.