Our appearance is emerging in legal disputes as a new kind of discrimination.
‘Lookism’, it is claimed, is the new racism, and should be banished from civilised societies.
After several court actions in the United States, some experts are voicing their concerns on cases that should be considered here too.
Economist Daniel Hamermesh is suggesting that ugly people deserve legal protection from their own appearance, as he believes ugliness is no different from race or a disability.
‘My research shows being good-looking helps you earn more money, find a higher-earning spouse and even get better deals on mortgages,’ he said.
‘Some people are born ugly and there’s not much they can do about it. You’re pretty much stuck with your looks.
‘People who appear to be conventionally beautiful have fewer barriers to workplace success,’ he said. ‘However, protecting conventionally ugly people or offensively linking that condition to a disability would take society in the wrong direction.’
In a most recent case, Shirley Ivey, 61, is suing her former employer for 'lookism'. Ivey, left her job after her supervisor told her that he would like her more if she was prettier.
More often than not it seems qualities outrank skill, intelligence or character pay off.
Here's an example. Anna Kournikova is ranked 37th in women's tennis, and has never won a major singles championship. So, why is it that Kournikova makes millions more dollars from endorsements than players ranked higher? You decide.
What are your thoughts on the new kind of discrimination 'lookism?'
12 Comments
I have been victim to this sad, and insiduous crime. What for! just for balding! just for balding! whatever happened to Jack Nicholson, Ron Howard, Kelsey Grammar. highly talented. Julius Ceasar, To have cruel taunts aimed at you by people who by and large have very little in their lives to do, obviously have no talent. But hey this what the X Factor encourages. take note hot many pretty people actually had talent. Take note Susan Boyle, Paul Potts. Blessed. yet plain. I say shame on those who prey on those with low self esteem, enough to make them pick on others. I have a life, its a shame I have to meet so many small minded creeps daily, with so so little to offer except vanity. Someone said to me once look at all the pretty people who are ugly inside.
Replylookism is totally real. I've been bullied, bossed around, screamed at, glared at for not being attractive enough. I've even been beaten and kidnapped. My brother said once, "You are just an embarrassment to me." Welcome to my world, where being ugly is extremely dangerous. Oh and don't think anyone wants to give me a job. The great thing about being ugly is that unlike other people I look forward to death.
ReplyLookism is the price one pays for genetics. It is an obvious fact that some people are discouraged from mating because of certain genetic traits.Should potential looks of an off spring be one of them? However, it is a known fact that lookism permeates the entire animal kingdom, so why get so uptight about what your parents produced. We are all different, some are more different than others.
ReplyIts so true, I have tested it myself by finding friends who are better looking than me and guess what. I was so ignored by woman who crawled over me to get to my better looking friends for sex. I have even had woman talk in front of me saying that they want to screw my friend without batting an eyelid like I was not there. I am suing woman's arses off for compensation. I hate woman so much.
ReplyMust be an ugly reporter that had time to do this report. Us good looking people are far to busy earning money and having great sex.
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