There’s a growing movement changing how beauty is perceived in America and around the world.

Because of social media, where women freely display their inherent beauty in all shapes and sizes, the standard of beauty is changing. This change is highlighted by a recent study that was published in the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education. It shows that the average American woman used to wear a size 14, but now she typically wears a size 16 or 18.

The study, which examined data from more than 5,500 American women, discovered that during the previous 20 years, the average waist size had climbed from 34.9 to 37.5 inches. The study’s principal expert, Susan Dunn, highlights the importance of the information by saying, “Knowing the average size can significantly impact women’s self-image.”

The fashion industry is urged by co-author Deborah Christel and Dunn to adjust to these developments. According to Dunn, “these women are here to stay, and they deserve clothing that fits them.”

The message is clear: in order to appropriately represent the genuine shape and size of the modern American woman, apparel manufacturers must adjust their sizing guidelines.

12 People Share the Things Men Can Do Freely but Women Are Typically Judged For

It was in 1920 that, after a century of marching, women finally gained the right to vote in the United States. Following this, many other countries around the world agreed to provide this right to women. This marked a significant change in history, however, there is still much to be done. We dug deep into Reddit to learn what opinions the community has regarding the differences in freedom between men and women, and these are some of their responses.