serenity said it

You all need to go read this entry from Serenity. She breaks it down.

As a society, we are superficial. Shallow even. Children -- especially girls -- are taught from very early on that looks are what matter. No matter what gentle platitudes parents give to the opposite, society teaches us that we are to reward those who attempt to meet and exceed the visual standard of what's acceptable, and punish those who refuse or are unable to do so.