Shape and Significance of Feminine Beauty: An Evolutionary Perspective

@article{Singh2011ShapeAS,
  title={Shape and Significance of Feminine Beauty: An Evolutionary Perspective},
  author={Devendr{\'a} Singh and D. K. Singh},
  journal={Sex Roles},
  year={2011},
  volume={64},
  pages={723-731},
  url={https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144644793}
}
Evolutionary and feminist perspectives on female beauty are compatible in some respects, such as the oppressive and destructive outcomes for women as a consequence of the importance attached to female beauty. The perspectives tend to differ on the issue of the origins of (some) beauty standards. Evolutionary scientists have proposed that beauty is a reliable cue for women’s health and fertility. However, as the factors regulating health and reproductive capabilities cannot be directly observed… 

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