Fortunately or unfortunately, society has set standards for way people should look. The media is awash with images of ideal persons who have just the right look in terms of height, weight and general appearance. Nowhere is this more emphasized than in the entertainment world of actors, actresses, super-models and athletes most of who sport sleek well-sculptured bodies. Today, self-esteem is tied to one's appearance and this is also fueled by clothing fads and latest trends.

Trends in clothing, make-up and general appearance fuel the way people feel about themselves. Media psychology dictates that people want to be seen as being "in" or "trendy" and these trends are definitely set by entertainers, mostly the rich and the famous. The Hollywood lifestyle has permeated every strand of society and such names as Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears are allowed to set standards for looking good. Looking good, is then equated to feeling good.

Behind the psychology of looking good and feeling great is the need for acceptance. People want to know that they are desirable and acceptable in society and that they are fun to look at and be with. That is why self-esteem issues often arise early in life when one is still in the development stages of life. Parents have the responsibility of instilling a healthy self-esteem in their children by complimenting them on their looks and their performance. This causes the child to conclude within themselves that they are desirable even when they are not famous.

Bodily appearance has also a lot to do with the way people perceived they are being received or viewed by the opposite sex. Women alone inject billions of dollars into the economy in a cosmetics and make-up in an attempt to look fabulous, either to people they know or to the general public. This shows that women attach their self-esteem to the way they look. Men also, can trace part of their self-esteem to the way they look, seeing that there is an equally vibrant market for men's designer clothing, shoes, perfumes, lotions and even make-up. Men also want to be viewed as "macho" and attractive by members of the opposite sex.

Perhaps nothing says so much people's attachment to good looks than the recent surge in plastic surgeries. Previously, plastic surgery used to be performed by wealthy entertainers because it was wildly expensive. But today, with some medical insurance companies covering cosmetic surgeries and the availability of more cosmetic surgeons causing the price for such operations to dip, more and more people are taking the bold step to go under the knife.

Extreme cases of attaching looks to self-esteem and even outlook towards life can also be seen in people who request sex-changes or people who "cross-dress" (men in female clothing or vice-versa). A cursory look at American talk-shows reveals people who claim they are actually another sex trapped in another's body! This goes a long way to show that people do attach a high premium to how they look in regards to their overall self-esteem.