'Beauty' is a currency system like the gold standard. Like any

In the ebb and flow of human history, where power and influence are often determined by systems of control, there lies a truth that resonates deeply within the hearts of those who have come before us. Naomi Wolf’s powerful statement, "'Beauty' is a currency system like the gold standard. Like any economy, it is determined by politics, and in the modern age in the West it is the last, best belief system that keeps male dominance intact," offers us a lens through which to understand the ways in which beauty—far from being a simple physical attribute—is, in fact, a potent tool of power and control. Wolf suggests that, much like the gold standard, beauty operates within a political economy that defines worth and value, particularly in how women are perceived and treated within society.

In the ancient world, beauty was often regarded as a divine gift, something to be admired and coveted. The Greeks, for instance, celebrated the ideal of beauty through their gods and goddesses, whose appearances embodied perfection. Yet, beneath this admiration lay an understanding of how beauty could be wielded as power, as seen in the stories of figures such as Helen of Troy, whose beauty was said to have launched a thousand ships and led to the Trojan War. Helen’s beauty, like the currency of gold, was a force that shaped not only her own life but the fate of entire cities and civilizations. Her story teaches us that beauty, though often celebrated, also carries with it the potential for manipulation and the use of power. Thus, even in ancient times, beauty was not just an aesthetic; it was a tool of influence, a currency of its own.

The Romans, too, recognized beauty’s role in the maintenance of power. The emperors, from Augustus to Nero, often used images of beauty—from statues to portraits—to project their power and divine right. Livia, the wife of Augustus, manipulated her own beauty and image to secure political power for her son, Tiberius, and to establish her legacy as the matriarch of the imperial family. In this way, beauty was not just a personal asset, but a weapon that could be used to control the political landscape, to ensure dominance and to shape public perception. Thus, the ancients were not blind to the ways in which beauty and power intersected, just as Wolf suggests that beauty, in the modern era, continues to act as a currency in the hands of those who hold the reins of power.

In the modern world, as Naomi Wolf asserts, beauty operates as a form of currency, a social capital that determines worth, especially for women. Consider how the media and advertising industries profit from the creation of beauty standards that are both unattainable and deeply influential. Women are taught from an early age that their value is intrinsically tied to their physical appearance. Cosmetics, fashion, and plastic surgery are industries built upon this societal norm. Women are encouraged to conform to a narrow definition of beauty, one that often exists to uphold a system of male dominance and power. By prioritizing beauty as the standard of worth, society reinforces the idea that a woman’s value is derived from her appearance rather than her intellect, capability, or character. Beauty becomes a currency that perpetuates a cycle of subjugation, where women must spend their time and energy seeking approval through the lens of appearance.

The gold standard analogy, as Wolf uses it, is especially revealing. Just as gold historically represented a measure of wealth and value in economic systems, so too does beauty act as a measure of worth in modern society. The parallels are striking: just as wealth can be accumulated, invested, and manipulated, so too can beauty be cultivated, marketed, and controlled. This system does not simply measure the physical characteristics of an individual but dictates who gets to have power and who is excluded. Beauty becomes the measure by which social and economic hierarchies are established, with those who fit into the narrow standards of the day gaining access to privilege and power, while those who do not are left marginalized.

Consider the story of Marilyn Monroe, whose beauty became both her greatest asset and her greatest burden. Monroe’s physical allure was a powerful tool in her rise to fame, but it also confined her to a limited and often exploitative role within the Hollywood system. She was adored for her beauty, but this same beauty trapped her in a box that prevented her from being recognized for her talents beyond her appearance. Her tragic life is a clear example of how the currency of beauty can both elevate and degrade, depending on the system in which it is exchanged. Monroe’s life illustrates the darker side of the beauty industry, where women’s worth is often reduced to their physical form, keeping them in a cycle of dependence and exploitation that mirrors the power dynamics Wolf describes.

The lesson that Naomi Wolf imparts is a call to awareness, a warning that beauty should not be the currency by which we measure the value of a person, especially a woman. The practical action for us today is to break free from the chains that the system of beauty has placed on us. We must redefine worth in terms of character, intellect, creativity, and compassion. Just as the ancients recognized the power of beauty, so must we now acknowledge that true strength lies not in external appearances, but in the depth and substance of a person’s soul. Women, and men alike, must reclaim their value from the economic forces that use beauty as a tool of oppression. Only then can we build a society that recognizes the true worth of the individual, where beauty is celebrated, but not used as a means of control.