In today’s landscape of ever-evolving societal norms, every generation seems to push the envelope on what’s considered important — especially when it comes to physical appearance. Once upon a time, we were told that beauty is subjective, that everyone is beautiful in their own way. This was the mantra of the millennial “body positivity” movement, which encouraged acceptance of all shapes and sizes. Fast forward to today, where Generation Z appears to have turned the page with a new, rather unforgiving looks-rating system. Talk about whiplash from one extreme to the other.
This so-called PSL scale, which has roots in incel-adjacent forums like PUAHate and SlutHate and has been adopted by some Gen Z circles, ranks individuals based on physical attractiveness, ranging from “subhuman” to a status of “literal perfection” at 8 PSL. According to interpretations of this system, the norm fits around the 4 PSL mark, described as “dead average.” However, where does that leave us mere mortals? Somewhere in-between, often labeled “normie.” But the notion of half of humanity falling into this “normie” category is not verified by any exact data.
Taking a step back, one might understand the raw honesty of this system. Humans have, after all, instinctively judged and chosen based on appearance for centuries. It’s natural, albeit harsh, to acknowledge differences in physical appeal. Yet, what’s amusing is this swing back towards an honest, yet somewhat brutal truth, after a lengthy period of coddling body positivity rhetoric. The raw scales might not be kind, but they reject the false equivalence that was peddled before — the belief that a supermodel and someone with severe obesity are equally attractive. There’s a shred of realism in this approach, even if it’s not particularly pleasant.
The conversation around these beauty standards brings more than eye-rolling guides to rating people. It spotlights a much deeper truth: the quest for attractiveness doesn’t hold overwhelming sway once one is married. Marriage can, in fact, be your shield against the shallow judgments of society’s beauty pageant. Once wed, the need to be desirable to the masses fades, replaced by the comfort of being enough for just one person.
It’s time to consider the deeper freedoms marriage affords. In a world incessantly reminding us of our imperfect image, finding one person who accepts us can be liberating. For those still single, optimizing attractiveness (“looks maxing”) is touted as a necessary evil on the path to marriage. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about letting oneself go post-nuptials. Continuing to care for oneself is important, but not for societal approval or for ascending a superficial scale, but out of respect for one’s spouse and health.
Thus, the scramble for attaining status in a supposedly defining range like “gigachad” seems insignificant when lasting love is the end game. While appearance-focused rhetoric dominates for now, the timeless satisfaction of a shared life waits patiently. As conservative principles remind us, the pursuit of family and stability trumps fleeting allure. Let folks chase their rankings; those who pull away the veil will find life’s truest value in the bonds we forge, rooted in love and mutual respect.
