Ugliness Is Examined In Study Of 'Uglyism'

Ugliness has recently emerged as a serious subject of study and academic interest unto itself, in some small part because of the success of television's "Ugly Betty," which ABC promoted with a "Be Ugly" campaign stressing self-esteem for girls and young women. Sociologists, writers, lawyers and economists have begun to examine ugliness, suggesting that the subject has been marginalized in history and that discrimination against the unattractive, while difficult to document or prevent, is a quiet but widespread injustice.

Researchers who have tried to measure appearance discrimination, or "uglyism" and "looksism," and the impact of what they call the "beauty premium" and the "plainness penalty" on income, say that the time has come for ugly to peek out from beauty's shadow.

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Comments

[iheartsmartpeople]

I tried to get through this article but was laughing too hard.

But on a serious note - yes, injustice to the ugly must be corrected but who would come forward and claim discrimination? Rather than punish uglyists (?) the perception of beauty has to be more accommodating - we're getting there but it's slow.

[wm1066]

Bad choice of picture for this article. The actress who played this part (forgot her name) was a wonderful person and got second degree burns from the copper make-up catching fire on the set. Yes she played an ugly charactor but still a bad choice.

[crayola 08]

well i support the uglies. i give em a nickel every time i pass one by cause that's just he sort a caring and attractive guy i am. heck, without them how would we know what's attractive?

[jalyn]

This should be under the "green" section.

[DCato]

We are ugly and we want our freedom!