Final answer:
Perceptions of attractiveness and beauty standards vary greatly across cultures. For example, female dancers in Western cultures face much higher risk of developing eating disorders due to the idealization of slenderness, compared to the general population. Gender norms and traits also differ globally, influencing societal standards of beauty and attire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Beauty standards and perceptions of attractiveness vary significantly between different human societies. In some cultures, a plump figure is seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, whereas in others, slenderness is highly valued. For instance, research indicates that for women in Western cultures, the cultural ideal often relates to slenderness.
This pressure is evident in groups such as dancers, gymnasts, and other athletes, who may feel a heightened pressure to maintain a very thin physique. The prevalence of disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa in these groups can be significant.
For example, female dancers are far more likely to develop anorexia or bulimia than women in the general population, with up to 12 percent of dancers affected compared to about 2 percent in the general population.
Moreover, characteristics associated with gender, including dress and presentation, can widely differ. A kilt in Scottish culture, for example, is masculine and does not detract from a male's masculinity, while in the U.S., dresses are typically associated with femininity.
These differing perceptions of gender traits demonstrate how societal norms influence the understanding of attractiveness and ideal body types.