Your Voice: Read a variety of books to expand your mind and shatter stereotypes; take a stand against toxic beauty standards (long letters)

The media can instil unfair stereotypes: books laud damsels-in-distress while films eulogise monster-slaying heroes. However, the reading public will only derive limited perspectives from a narrow scope. I fervently believe everyone should rewire their perceptions of identity by reading extensively.

To begin with, it’s little wonder that media and literature are the foundation of one’s mindset. Authors want readers to think, question and challenge them by placing characters in psychologically complex situations – whether it is Auggie Pullman, Harry Potter or Katniss Everdeen. While their circumstances might be far-fetched for the hectic lives of Hong Kong students, the struggles of self-identity and pursuit of dreams strike a chord with everyone. By witnessing how different characters deal with their difficulties, readers gather core values, which form the bedrock of their consciousness. That is why students should expose themselves to a wide variety of literature to shape a better self through the lenses of their imaginary counterparts.

Reading representation: New York Times bestselling author Axie Oh on writing YA books that reflect her Korean heritage

At the same time, it is understandable that students may not appreciate serious books after a day of gruelling work. Why pick words and war and death, when one can mindlessly scroll through clips of adorable animals? It is for this reason Middle Grade and Young Adult books are made accessible by their escapist nature. While readers can cruise the seas of imagination at ease, they subconsciously take in harder topics like mortality versus morality, relationships with authority and social issues.

One excellent example is the Crisanta Knight series by Geanna Culbertson, a nine-book epic revolving around the children and siblings of well-known fairy tale characters. Interwoven with humour and insightful introspection, the life-and-death situations will appeal to students who put their nose to the grindstone while elevating their understanding of life.

Told by Cinderella’s daughter Crisanta, the series follows the strong-willed protagonist who is dissatisfied with people’s predetermined destinies planned by the almighty Author, the realm’s mystical oracle. Armed with the resolve to control their own fate, Crisanta goes on a quest with her friends to find the Author. Yet this journey scales up far beyond their expectations, as Crisanta and her allies face fantastical realms and obstacles, and have to learn about themselves to save their world – and be the heroes they have the potential to be. Throughout the books, Crisanta deals with conformity, friendship, forgiveness and so on, mirroring kids and teenagers’ struggles. Immersing readers in elaborate world-building and three-dimensional characters, the series is a refreshing ambrosia condensing action, sassiness, self-discovery and empowerment into one perfect brew.

As hackneyed as they may sound, these words by Margaret Fuller – “today a reader, tomorrow a leader” – hold true because literature integrates the voices of innumerable characters, guiding readers to find their own. Reading transforms students to rise above unjust beliefs and thrive as leaders of their minds.

How a pupil who didn’t finish school became popular author Bluegodzi

Mirko Kwok Ching, King Ling College

I am writing to respond to a BBC article titled “Botox – why more men are getting treatments”, which discusses the trend for men to start getting cosmetic surgeries such as Botox.

First of all, beauty standards have shifted against men. Back in the day, women were always required to look pretty and society created impossible beauty standards which often encouraged women to undergo cosmetic surgeries. As feminism started to gain more popularity in recent years, the act of endlessly trying to achieve beauty standards one way or another received more criticism among women. However, it seems that these cruel beauty standards have shifted towards men.

The article stated: “The beauty industry seems to have reached a point of total saturation when it comes to making women feel insecure about their appearance, so society has now turned its attention towards making men feel so suffocated by constant unobtainable images that they’re forced to spend money in a doomed attempt to hush their nagging sense of self-hatred.” This suggests that feminism or fighting for equal rights for both genders might have gone in the wrong direction.

Secondly, global trends set beauty standards that are often unattainable. In recent years, social media platforms have often promoted body trends such as curvy bodies, pouty lips and high noses. Of course, these features are not natural but very often the work of plastic surgery. The standards were always high for women. But how about men? Society now counts attractive men as those who have a muscular build, tall figure, and sometimes, large genitals. It is not difficult to find videos or memes mocking men who lack the above qualities. As a result, some men choose to engage in liposuction or plastic surgery to achieve their ideal look. When influenced by this type of mockery online, both men and women would feel insecure about their appearance, and this is toxic to one’s mental health.

The capitalism behind the beauty industry

Lastly, consumers are pressured to alter their appearance through plastic surgery. The problem is that society is pushing people towards unattainable beauty standards. Even though some embrace new methods and technology to make themselves look different, it’s time for this type of judgemental pressure to disappear. Men and women are being made to feel insecure about their natural appearance. It seems to be manipulation by the beauty industry to make profits from our anxiety.

In conclusion, unattainable beauty standards are prevalent in today’s society. Now is the time to scrap this type of image toxicity and start promoting natural appearance and self-acceptance.