Challenging the Norm: Dare to Embrace Asymmetry

You've probably heard about the numerous studies conducted over the years that show that people prefer symmetrical facial features in the opposite sex: the more symmetrical, the more beautiful, or at least that's what research tells us. The theory postulates that facial symmetry denotes health, and we evolved to prefer the healthiest-looking mate because it increased our chances of survival. Until recently, the prevailing theory held that a symmetrical face implies a healthier childhood free of disease that causes disfigurement and could be passed on to offspring. Recently, the theory was put to the test and the results were clear: there is no discernible correlation between adolescent health and facial symmetry [cite].

Personally, I prefer the original :-) Source

This is good news for those of us who suffered through childhood bouts of chicken pox and measles: our medical history isn't written all over our faces for prospective partners to see. However, this study was unable to provide any conclusive evidence in support of an alternative theory for our symmetrical preference. It merely suggests that the preference may be due to a general aversion to more overt facial asymmetry, like that which is the result of some major injuries, untreated infections, and rare genetic disorders. Another possibility for such a preference is simply a manifestation of "our aesthetic appreciation of symmetry in art and nature." [cite]

But which one has more character? 

It is a fact that humans prefer symmetry. Whether or not there is an evolutionary explanation for this preference is moot because we are conditioned from a young age to value it. From the games we play as children to what and how we learn in school, to how we dress and how we exercise; it all reinforces society's value of symmetry in all aspects of life. In my opinion, our preference for symmetry is a metaphor for a larger societal problem: the notion that there is a concrete order to all things and anything that deviates from that order is bad and to be avoided.


Symmetry implies completeness, neatness, and orderliness. It follows a pattern, and has its duplicate: it follows the rules. Symmetry has many definitions, but the one I think best correlates is "correct or pleasing proportion of the parts of a thing."[cite]. A symmetrical thing is pleasing to us because it does not challenge us: it is what it is supposed to be. As soon as we encounter something that does not follow such a pattern, that is not what it is supposed to be and therefore challenges us in a way that may not be comfortable, we are quick to dismiss it. Society reinforces such an overarching dismissal of anything that deviates from a prescribed mold.

Not symmetrical, but strikingly beautiful to behold Source

Symmetry as metaphor has a bad influence on our society. It requires that we live our lives in pursuit of an ideal, which, while different for everyone, can be so consuming as to leave no room to question whether it is in fact your ideal. It is the reason why the world economy supports a multi-billion-dollar-a-year beauty industry that reinforces unrealistic expectations of beauty and which disproportionately subjugates women. It is the reason why many develop eating disorders and other compulsive conditions. It perpetuates a stratified class system to the point that we criminalize folks for failing to live up to a certain standard that, for reasons beyond their control, is impossible for them. All this to say that the worst offense one can commit in this society is to dare to be asymmetrical.

Society has conditioned us to value symmetry over asymmetry. Despite that fact, we can all certainly find examples of how bucking the trend and flying in the face of convention, either in our own lives or in the lives of those whom we admire, has made a positive impact on society. After all, despite all the evidence in its favor, isn't the preference for symmetry a theory? If we took a moment to question ourselves when we make a snap judgement, isn't there room to make a revision and perhaps arrive at a different conclusion? How much value can we really assign to something over which we have very little actual control in the first place? Does reinforcing this arbitrary value system, at the core of which is symmetry, do more to help or hurt us? Does it bring us closer or further apart?

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The older I get, the less I can reconcile the pursuit of symmetry at all costs. Truth be told, the times in my life that I've been happiest have been the times that I rejected the "pleasing proportion of things" and dared to do something that scrambled things up. Whether it was with regards to my education, career, physical appearance, or training, the times I took the most risks and dared to color outside of the lines were the times that I was most at peace with myself.

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I think we can all benefit from embracing life's asymmetry a leeeeeetle bit more in our lives ;-)

[P.S. <----This blog post is a PERFECT example of this concept! I started out with the intention of writing something much more "by the book," but this is what was in my heart. So thank you for reading.]