Altering our body to be fit for society...

I think we can both agree that true beauty comes from your inner self, and that what you look like has no effect on how you are. However we are arguing whether an individual should strive to look like the ideal body types presented by the media, not whether that is true beauty or the equation for true happiness. A main theme of my opponents argument: Why try to reach for the unattainable? It is impossible to attain the ideal body type To quote a great man of the Indian subcontinent, "The journey of one thousand miles begins with a step" This debate isn't about whether the ideal body can be attained, it is whether it is worth pursuing. But even if it wasn't, should the skinny man not hit the gym so he can feel confident and self empowered as he grows stronger and more attractive to the opposite sex? It is true no one can attain perfection, but perfection is not the "ideal" body type, see my first contention for analysis on this subject. Billions of Dollars are wasted in the Cosmetic Industry First off I'll say that make up helps woman do what they intrinsically want, not what the media wants, which is attract members of the opposite sex. Second, the beauty industry is a harmless pleasure that is an enormous boost to the economy. It helps woman feel more secure, as they are judged by other members of society, not the media. I argue today that the beauty industry was created to help woman escape from other woman's natural instinct to judge, not a result of media conditioning. Altering our bodies leads to Bulimia and other serious disorders Never does society tell us we need to look like 90 pound starving citizen of Chad. This debate isn't "Bulimia is bad", in fact I'm not sure what this debate isn't about. But I am arguing that we should change our bodies to fit societies standards. .. so Ill actually address that in coherent arguments. First Point: What does Society want us to look like? Is it healthy? Con never defined what he was talking about, so in order to ensure this doesn't turn into a ANOREXIA IS BAD! debate, I'll provide some definitions. Men: Tanned, Muscular, rigid personal hygiene and great sense of pride in hair Women: Athletic, slim, toned body, rigid personal hygiene, great hair Now why on earth would no one want to attain this? Obesity is a plague in most Western Liberal Democracies, and we can all agree that to pursue this you will become much healthier and your life expectancy will be raises proportionally. And what about the vast majority? The average populace? Well Societies ideal standards are kind of just a buffed up version of you. So unless you are so blind and escapist to say people are perfect the way they are and that there is no room for improvement, then one should pursue societies ideal body type. "Society tells us we have to fit a certain height or weight, and have certain features to be classified as a "beautiful" person. We do not need anyone telling us how we have to look. everyone is unique and beautiful in their individual ways and no one else has the rights to say otherwise. " This is not a valid argument, we aren't debating whether beauty is completely subjective. That is because society has taken an objective stance on beauty which involves being a healthy, fit, active person. Anyone and everyone should try to attain this, to hit the gym and get some sun. It will make us healthier and happier to try and attain the standards society has set for us. Because who made that standard? Us. THe populace. We should strive to make ourselves more appealing to the opposite sex, more fit and healthier.