Final answer:
Cultural values and norms shape what is considered beautiful, leading to diverse beauty standards that can change over time and influence societal practices. The perception of beauty extends beyond physical attributes, intertwining with societal issues and personal preferences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cultural values and norms profoundly influence how beauty is perceived within a society. For instance, the emphasis on youth in the United States drives a multi-million dollar cosmetic industry that caters to the pursuit of a youthful appearance, signifying innocence and sexuality. However, cultural conceptions of beauty are not static; they evolve, reflecting values and ideals. While ancient Greeks believed in harmonious proportion as the epitome of a beautiful face, which has been a lasting aesthetic, this is not a universal standard.
As a social construct, beauty is subject to the ebbs and flows of cultural, political, and social changes. Aesthetic values associated with art further reveal cultural diversity and societal preferences. What is deemed beautiful in art can prompt ethical debates and highlight social issues, often reflecting the complex interplay between society's collective judgment and individual tastes.
Thus, beauty varies from culture to culture and is shaped by a multitude of factors including class, religion, politics, ethnicity, gender, and more. The perception of beauty and the value placed on it can have profound implications on personal and social levels, impacting everything from art to personal hygiene practices. Cultural standards can even influence human physical evolution through sexual selection, leading to regional phenotypical variations attributed to historical beauty standards.