Pretty Hurts: Beyoncé's Call for Female Empowerment

In Beyoncé's song Pretty Hurts, she addresses the issue of societal pressures on women to fit into unrealistic beauty standards. The song reflects the broader societal issue of gender inequality, and calls for women empowerment and self-love. This essay will explore the power of female power in the context of Pretty Hurts and its broader implications.

The song begins with the lyrics, "Mama said, you're a pretty girl/ What's in your head, it doesn't matter." This sets the tone for the song as it highlights the societal pressures placed on women to prioritize their physical appearance over their mental health and achievements. The song goes on to criticize the beauty industry and the harmful standards set by it, with lyrics such as "Blonder hair, flat chest/ TV says, bigger is better."

Beyoncé's message in Pretty Hurts is a simple one: beauty standards are harmful. She calls for women to stop trying to fit an unrealistic mold and embrace their individuality. The lyric, "Trying to fix something/ But you can't fix what you can't see/ It's the soul that needs surgery," highlights the idea that true beauty comes from within.

In addition to this empowering message, Pretty Hurts also highlights the issue of gender inequality. Beyoncé mentions how the beauty industry caters to men's desires, with lines such as "It's the soul that needs surgery/ I'm under your knife." This reflects how beauty standards are not set for women's well-being, but are rather dictated by the patriarchal society we live in.

Furthermore, Beyoncé questions the validity of beauty pageants, where women are pitted against each other based solely on their appearances. She sings, "Ain't no doctor or therapeutic that can take the pain away," highlighting the emotional toll that these pageants can take on young women.

The song ends with an uplifting chorus, "When you're alone all by yourself/ And you're lying in your bed/ Reflection stares right into you/ Are you happy with yourself?" This serves as a reminder for women to prioritize self-love and acceptance over societal beauty standards.

Overall, Pretty Hurts is a powerful anthem calling for women empowerment and self-love. Beyoncé challenges the unrealistic beauty standards set by society and the beauty industry, and highlights the emotional toll they can take on individuals. Beyond the song, this message has broader implications in the fight for gender equality. It is important for women to reject these harmful standards and embrace their individuality, as true beauty comes from within. By doing so, women can break free from patriarchal societal norms and empower themselves and each other.