In a world where kids are told they can be anything they want to be when they grow up there seems to be a disturbing contradiction that is presented to these kids as they do get older. In the poem "Beauty" by Tony Hoagland, the reader learns of his sisters struggle with the expectation to be beautiful. Her struggle is that of many young woman growing up in todays society where you can be anything, as long as you are attractive. The real problem with this is not the fact you must be attractive, it is the standard, the social 'norm', for what makes one beautiful.
Hoaglands' poem showed how his sister struggled on with the hope of accomplishing the beauty that she ever so badly wanted. His word show exactly how most girls who try so hard to be …show more content…
Though through his observations his sister managed to do one thing that not many young woman can accomplish. She overcame one of the demons that had held her captive so long, the need to be beautiful eventually, "then shrugged and tossed her shaggy head / as if she was throwing something out, / something she had carried a long ways, / but had no use for anymore" (lines 49-52). It's that moment for anyone when they can relieve themselves of such a weight bearing load that helps them to start appreciating their inner beauty.
This poem did a great job to demonstrate the whole idea of beauty and its connection to the younger generation. For many years and even more to come, young women have to deal with the ever lasting shadow of beauty looming over them. The years will go on though and no matter what happens people will continue telling their children to grow up and be what ever it is they want to be, but most importantly they should be attractive or as some would say be