EGÓ AMONG YOUTHS

PERSONAL ego or self esteem is perhaps the hardest of sensual impulses that humans grapple with, one which is a source of debate and controversy attracting individual, social, racial and national magnitude.
Arguably the oldest trait of ego extension is personal beauty; the exterior appearance in relation to norms of gender, socials status and in some cases creed or caste.
One’s beauty is generally treasured as an extension of one’s ego, and not only doers it draw much time as well as resources towards its preservation, but an entire industry has evolved almost abreast with the evolution of mankind itself; the cosmetic industry.
It is here whence start the debate; who sets the norms for beauty?..Does the cosmetics industry fuel the concept of personal beauty?. .Does beauty lie in the eyes of the beholder?...does the whole concept of personal beauty enhancement, border on evil?..Is there or should there be a norm for beauty?
Indeed the topic of beauty and its enhancement is so exhaustible that the dividing line is between the user of cosmetics and the proponents of ‘natural beauty’ who prefer to abstain from cosmetics use.
This topic is quiet “tenacious” enough to attract brain storming at household, community, religious, professional as well as social economical proportion of our country; in other words it is a hot topic both urban and rural societies of our nation.
Random survey found that religious fundamentalist opinions, lead the charge from amongst opposing views, yielding a consensus in which cosmetics are associated with ‘evil’ or ‘devil’.
In contrast to what many may think, this opinion from religious fundamentalists is not restricted to elderly or middle aged interviewees alone.
“I have absolutely no support for the use of make up cosmetics because they are associated with prostitution” says 18 year old Monica Malichi, a resident of Lusaka’s Makeni area.
A 75 year old house wife, Jessie Mulyata of Lusaka’s N’gombe compound feels that cosmetics are the ultimate expression of vanity, and that the superficial beauty effects lead the user to being prone to being a topic of “attraction” to the opposite sex.
Some critics even attach biblical references by charging that users are fulfilling the description of ‘Jezebel’, an infamous Queen from the Old Testament, who was renowned for her wickedness and heavy use of cosmetics make up.
Names of cosmetic brands such as ‘Sweet Heart’, Top Class among the elderly, and ‘Bio Lemon’ or ‘Tent Clair’ amongst the young, will almost certainly be unpopular conversation topics amongst pro-natural beauty advocates, but will arouse excitement from in the pro-cosmetics camp.
21 tear old Namakau Nawa of Kanyama Compound, brushes aside the controversy surrounding cosmetic make ups with her befittingly controversial opinion, in which she charged that financial capability or ‘pocket power’ determines which side of the debate one would side with.
“When a woman has money, she will see to it that beauty is boosted, when she is broke, she will be envious of those using make up, and start condemning its use”, she said.
She argued that cosmetics make up greatly help in preserving youthful appearance, and should be viewed positively.
“Cosmetics give me much more youthful appearance than my peers in the Compound, and there is nothing more haunting to a woman than rapid aging”, she charged.
Perhaps the most high profile pro-cosmetic voice aired is that of Central Province Police Commanding Officer (CO) Brenda Muntemba, when she openly encouraged cosmetic use whilst addressing women from the Mumbwa Police fraternity, during her recent visit.
Amongst the advantages raised for make up use, the Commander boldly highlighted that cosmetics took care of unpleasantly embarrassing ‘natural’ characteristics such as body odour, smelly feet and many others.
Men are also players in this debate; some provide sponsorship to their women, and lately, it is not uncommon to note that some males have jumped on the ‘skin lightening’ bandwagon.
Some males are loud to proclaim that natural beauty is the best, but their necks twist towards the direction of the radiance generated by a make up clad female, on whom they would train their eyes until she disappears from the sight.
This topic can escalate into dizzying height of logic, opinion, facts, decrees, myths and even phobias, but perhaps a view from controversial medical practitioner, draws a ‘clinical’ line to satisfy a stalemate or impasse for this debate.
Mumbwa District Health Director, Dr. Christopher Dube says that cosmetics are widely known and used to magnify physical beauty, but that some cosmetics are also beneficial in treating certain skin and hair disorders.
Dr. Dube also noted that some cosmetics have been linked to shin cancers and kidney ailment, especially the ones containing mercury oxide, and is quick to warn against abuse (or is it over use) of cosmetics.
“Generally, too much of everything is bad, and this notion holds ground even in this debate on cosmetics”, says the Doctor.


ENDS…………….HC