University of Nebraska Kearney - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Kearney, NE)

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DEFINING SUCCESS DOES PHYSICAL APPEARANCE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A PERSON’S FUTURE SUCCESS? While some jobs require formal dress or uniforms, others don% as illustrated by Janet Adams of Omaha. As I enter my algebra class, I first notice the girls who sit in the front. On one side are seated the girls who look as if they dare never have a hair out of place; they give the impression that they would not be seen dead without their makeup on! Ironically, on the other side of the room is seated the opposite type of girl equipped with horn-rimmed glasses, no makeup and a look that sug- gested she hadn’t seen a comb for days. This comparison makes me wonder out of these students who will be the most successful? Who will become Am- erica’s future leaders? Does physical ap- pearance really make a difference in their future success? Do beauty and style affect relationships with others? Define success. Will any two people define it exactly alike? Your goals may be very different from mine. Leslie McConnell, KSC academic counselor, defines success: “Partly a state of mind; you have to be the best you can be, and be satisfied with yourself.” Where do looks fit in with success? In a society of television, MTV, HBO, and advertising, people tend to get con- fused. The media overrates good looks; people feel they have to live up to the stars’ images. They buy Polo cologne or Swatch watches to be “in.” Television is a far cry from reality. “Advertising gives the image, if your good looking society will reward you,” said McConnell. ost men preferred wom- AvJ. en with large breasts, medium-to-small hips and medi- um legs.” uMirror, Mirror” by Sprecher Hatfield “Mirror, Mirror” explores the im- portance of physical attractiveness in school, at work and in romatic relation- ships. The book, by Illinois State Univer- sity professor Susan Sprecher and Uni- versity of Hawaii professor Elaine Hat- field, states, “Physically attractive peo- ple are more likely to score good grades and land better jobs than their plainer counterparts.” Some of the book’s findings show: - Couples consider physical attractiveness to be the most important factor in begin- ning interpersonal relationships. -Pretty women get better grades in college than their plainer counterparts, possibly because professors tend to re- member them. 10

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CH-CH-CHANGES Rock n' roil has evolved from Jimi Hendrix to the Beastie Boys, from the Beatles to Madonna. We have heard many greats come and go, with each of us having similar or different feelings about what kind of music we listen to. We have come from a drug oriented cul- ture to an age during which we are aware of the consequences of drugs and have Rock Against Drugs(R.A.D.)} an organi- zation opposing drug abuse. We also now have songs that bring out awareness of child abuse. Another big innovation involving rock was Live-Aid, organized by Bob Geldof, who brought together many fa- mous performers to raise money for the homeless and starving. We also have had similar philantrophic rock ventures like “Band-Aid” and “USA for Africa' during which rock pulled togeth- er to raise money for AIDS research and food for Africa’s starving. Lomicky feels these efforts are posi- tive and likewise have an impact on the young. She said, “I think music is tre- mendously influential on young people. They listen to it so much. I listened and it was to me.” Rock ‘n' roll has seen changes in the last twenty years. But it's still alive and kicking and for one basic reason: “Kick down the baracade. Listen to what the kids say, they’re trying and try- ing to change my mind. But the music is here to stay. I’ve seen it all from the bot- tom to the top. Everywhere I go, kids wanna rock.” - Bryan Adams As the 60$ faded into the '70s, rock ln rod seemed to lose some- thing, maybe it lost its innocence as the drugs kicked in. SELF-ESTEEM: THEN AND NOW Self-esteem, favorable appreciation of oneself, was a word that was developed in 1657. The meaning has not changed through the years, although people’s interpreta- tion of self-esteem has. A damaging time for self-esteem may be occasional failure or unsatisfactory response from other people. In an 1968 edition of Today's Health an article says. “Everyone has experienced failures and defeats, it is unavoidable and a part of the pattern to learning our limitations. Todays Health, also says “Self-esteem originates from two sources: within the individual and from the opinions of others. Natural aggression to achieve propels a person's feeling of self-worth.” Praise, accomplishment and rewards enhance self-worth or self-esteem. In 1968, emphasis on self-esteem wasn't as strong as it is in 1988. Parents give children a push to be involved in some activities but didn't make it mandatory that they join every group or organiza- tion. In 1988, this sentiment does not hold true. Parents push their children to be more involved and to succeed in organizations, not only for the child but so parents can have some recognition of their own name, according to Today's Health. Growing up has a great impact on the quality of self- esteem developed. Relationships with parents, grand- parents and brothers or sisters stimulate self-esteem. And those relationships can be competitive, as often demon- strated between brothers and sisters, or they can be close. In 1988, with greater emphasis placed on self-esteem, parents are continually encouraging children to be involved and excel in activities. Excelling in football, basketball, track, speech or music makes parents happy. Not only do the parents benefit but the students get a boost on their ego. Spiritualism and self-esteem are increasing in impor- tance as well. “Employers search for people with great self- esteem and are more apt to hire someone who has a good perception about himself,” according to 1986 AT T study. Spiritualism is more of an importance in life since 1968. People are attending church regularly and participat- ing in activities outside of the church. Lifestyles, clothing and the desire to obtain more knowledge has also increased in importance since 1968. More magazines - Parents, McCalls, Good Housekeep- ing, and Vogue keep the public informed of ways to enhance self-esteem, whereas in 1968, only magazines such as Read- er's Digest and Today's Health carried stories about people, and not cold-cut facts on how to increase one's self-esteem. These magazines along with television and movies have made people in 1988 more conscious about all aspects of themselves. Having a high paying job, new car, new house, new boat and lakefront property seem to boost Am- erican’s opinion of personal self-esteem. In 1988, many people are trying to outdo the other. There is more competition to see exactly who is better at a particular job or sport. Psychologists make appointments everyday to help people deal with the aspects of self-es- teem, according to a November, 1987 Reader's Digest. Although the definition of self-esteem has not changed, the interpretation of the word has caused people to go to great measures to increase self-esteem. Nearly all college students would like to get married, often thinking that marriage will give one a sense of balance and make one's life have a focus, according to the experts. Women are afraid that if they wait, all of the good men will be gone, according to Glamour Magazine. In a study conducted by Glamour Magazine, August, 1987, the following statistics were reported. Some 94 per- cent of men and women expect they will be married by age 30. Five percent of the students polled thought they would be married between the ages 31 and 35. Aiinost none expec- ted to be manned after age 35. Also, 98 percent of male stu- dents see themselves in one marriage in a lifetime com- pared to 95 percent of females. 64 percent opt for someone who has sexual experience. Other facts, which demonstrate changing values: In 1980: 78 percent of females wanted children compared to 84 percent of men. Today 95 percent of women and 93 per- cent of men want children. Sexual attitudes, relationships and choice of mates have changed, which could indicate a strong personal re- solve. Young adults apparently strongly believe in marriage and want it to last, according to Glamour. Uf JR s

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-Attractive job applicants are more likely to get hired and be paid more. -Tall men score better in the job market than short men. -Just half of 2,000 people surveyed were extremely or quite satisfied with their looks. Only a few were extremely dissatisfied. -Most of the women surveyed like broad-shouldered men with small hips. Most men preferred women with large breasts, medium-to-small hips and me- dium legs. Although these are general state- ments evidence has been shown to prove them true. “There is evidence, for exam- ple that in a traditionally male domain, physical attractiveness can work against a woman applying for a job,” said Frank Saal, a Kansas State University psycho- logist and author of a 1985 study on male and female sexual interaction. However, Saal also said, “In pink collar fields where women dominate the workforce, attractiveness is good for getting hired and for getting paid well.” In classrooms, the same system applies. Saal said, “In a mechanical engi- neering class, beauty often is going to work against a woman. She’ll be seen as a dizzy dame, out of her league. In home economics, looks will work to her advan- tage.” Looks are helpful in some areas for success, but what about dress? Do clothes really make the person? “Clothes make not the man but the image of man ...said Anne Hollander in the book, “Seeing through Clothes.” Clothes are something we spend most of There is evidence, for ex- -L ample, that in a tradition- ally male domain, physical attrac- tiveness can work against a wom- an applying for a job. ” — Saal our money and time looking for. We either want to look stylish and be with the crowd or rebel against the crowd. By now all of us in college know how to dress for style, but do we dress for success? After reading several articles on how to “Dress for Success” I am beginning to think it’s not what you know, or whom you know, it’s what you wear! You want to project an image of strength, compe- tence and authority. Dr. Sarah J. Sweat, author of “Female Appearance Styles,” said, “It is important to recognize that distinct styles of appearance convey relatively consistent and predictable impres- sions. This symbolic repre- sentation can con- sciously be used to influ- ence reactions from others with whom one inter- acts. Most things are judged by their jackets.” Quality rather than quantity should be remembered when buying a wardrobe for success. Clothes should look expensive but do not have to be expensive. Grooming is also very impor tant. The most important ingredients may be found within yourself. Whatever path you choose in life be it business, art, teaching, just to name a few, to be suc- cessful you must be happy with the life you lead, and the path you have trav- eled. That, in any defini- tion, is success. As Leslie McConnell said, “You must be satisfied with the way you look, and have a positive men- tal attitude in life and you can go as far as you want.” Michelle Thompson BE3G Steve St romp, Spalding, is shopping for clothes at Maurices for an im- portant job in- terview! Working hard at Brass Buckle, Brad Powers, Cairo; dresses stylish for his job! 11