The world appears to be unfair. Those who are prettier earn a higher salary and are also happier. This column argues it is still not hopeless for those less blessed with looks. Appropriate clothing, hairstyles, and good teeth can help, as can choosing a profession where expertise is clearly central and beauty of less importance.
Daniel Hamermesh, 15 August 2008
Do good-looking people earn more, how much more and why? Is the effect the same for men and women? Does buying clothing and beauty treatments raise earnings power? Daniel Hamermesh of the University of Texas at Austin talks to Romesh Vaitilingam about his research programme on the impact of people's physical appearance on their pay and other life outcomes. The interview was recorded at the American Economic Association meetings in New Orleans in January 2008.
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