Body Image
Body image is one of the most active participants in present-day social systems. One would assume, considering this is such a “hot” topic, that there would be more coverage on the negative aspects instead of the positives. Surely this assumption is reasonable because innumerable outlets today associate body image with likability. Particularly, the media sets an impossible standard for what the “ideal” body should look like. Needless to say, the most accurate way to define body image, per in-class discussion, is that social systems render particular social groups disproportionately vulnerable to negative body images.
Body image is an issue that affects both men and women, but does it affect them differently? A peer-reviewed journal, “Body Image Perceptions: Do Gender Differences Exist?” is a compilation of research conducted by experts in this field from the University of Victoria. This research is based on one hundred ninety-seven surveys that undergraduate students completed regarding their views on body image as a whole, as well as their personal views on the matter. The overwhelming conclusion states, “While it is now known that men are also affected by body image dissatisfaction, the literature continues to demonstrate that women suffer from higher rates of discontentment with their bodies and that this discontentment negatively impacts their lives, more so than male body image concerns affect men” (Brennan et al., 131). Through this research, it is clear that the issue of body image emphasizes greater detriment towards females, rather than males. In order to better understand this issue, one must identify the external and internal factors that exert more pressure on women as opposed to men.
“Generation M” is a video that speaks to these pressures. One example, according to the video, discusses how the media affects the body image of females in Fiji. Prior to the introduction of media to Fiji, the social norm equated larger, “healthier” women with attractiveness. Within 3 years of Fiji being introduced to the television alone, women are throwing up to achieve their definition of “skinny,” in order to look like the stars on TV. As forces of the media grow stronger, women tend to react stronger as well, but in a more negative capacity. “Generation M” mentions that many women attach their self-esteem and value to their looks, which explains why, in the field of elective cosmetic surgery, women make up 91 percent of the clientele, whereas men make up a measly 9 percent. Body image does not solely impact individuals disproportionally within the gender realm, but within different sexual orientations as well.
In the lives of cisgender, transgender, LGB, and heterosexual people, body image is huge. Within the cisgender population, as previously mentioned, women particularly struggle with body image. Recently, however, society has given more attention to the need for a change. An article named The Beauty Myth states, “We need to figure out how to give ourselves, and all women, a strong sense of identity that has nothing to do with our physical appearance” (Jennifer Armstrong, Huffington Post). Not only does body image affect cisgender people, but transgender people as well.
Transgender individuals undergo difficult struggles with body image. Compared to cisgender people, transgender people are already living in an oppressive climate for their lack of conformity to societal norms. Therefore, body image is yet another oppressive factor that further affects these people. Transgender individuals are faced with the challenge of conforming to one of the two common gender identities, either female or male. If they are trying to conform to more of a female sense of identity, they will struggle with the typical body image issues that women are constantly faced with. These issues include, but are not limited to, eating disorders because of the popular female desire to become thinner. On the other hand, if they are trying to conform to more of a male gender identity, they typically are striving to be more muscular in order to blend with masculine societal norms. Body image relates to more than just physical attributes.
Modern-day body image plays a major role in the mental health and well-being of various individuals or communities, but in different capacities. A person may even change his or her sexual orientation for the sole purpose of adhering to a certain level of respect from others. Consider the LGB and heterosexual communities: eating disorders are disproportionately abundant in people of the LGB community compared to heterosexuals. In general, research shows that eating disorders resulting from negative associations with body image are developing in individuals as early as twelve years old. However, the LGB community particularly suffers from these disorders, as they spring from a place of fear. These fears include: social rejection for their lack of adherence to the “norm,” physically violent feedback, bullying, not being able to fit in with the typical LGB person, and internal conflict within. A recent study concluded that bisexual males are more likely to take a laxative or diet pills, fast, and/or purge than any other sexual orientation. Also, sadly enough, out of the 5 percent of the male population with eating disorders, a whopping 42% are gay (National Eating Disorders Association, 2018). From this research, one may conclude that people of the LGB community struggle with body image more than heterosexual people. Aside from analyzing the different individuals or communities that are affected by body image, one must ponder how this issue relates to intersectionality.
Intersectionality is the crossroads of being a part of two oppressed groups. Specifically, African American women are harshly affected by body image. Society’s idea of the perfect body derives from the covers of magazines, who are models that are typically skinny and white. This normality is because of the Eurocentric beauty standards that society sets American women to. Current markets are targeting white women and neglecting women of color, as a result. For example, most shades of foundation in various beauty stores are for white women. Also, a majority of fashion models are white. These are just a few examples which illustrate the idea that African American women are especially targeted by the issues regarding body image. Media also has a large impact on the way these women’s bodies are visualized.
The media hypersexualizes black women in several different ways that white women do not experience. All black women are portrayed, therefore expected, to have a large butts and breasts. Because of the media, men in this society use these expectations as a gauge to measure whether a black woman is beautiful or not. Conversely to white females, African American females are also criticized for being too thin. Allen Abrams speaks about how black women have been violated and sexualized beginning in the slave era of the United States. He talks about how slave owners would rape their female slaves and how, even today, many men view black women as sexual objects rather than human beings. This has translated into modern society as black women being “video vixens,” or, big butt, small waist, big breast, and hourglass shaped women. Although the media has contributed significantly to body image, it has recently taken steps towards liberating those oppressed by this issue.
According to the lecture, "liberation is freedom from oppression." When it comes to body image, as previously mentioned, society has promoted a specific look for both men and women that is almost impossible to live up to. However, there are several steps that society is indeed taking to encourage liberation. A micro level example would be recent advertising campaigns which emphasize the need for individuals to realize that all body types are unique. By coming to terms with this realization, people’s self-esteem levels are much higher. A meso level example that society is using would be the use of women health centers, mental health centers, and focus groups that encourage members to be comfortable in their own bodies. Lastly, a macro level example would be a body image movement called Embrace. Embrace provides support to people worldwide by promoting positivity in the sector of body image and certifying that health is more important than beauty. Overall, society is slowly beginning to reverse the negative effects that it has had on body image in the past, starting with the media’s advancements towards self-love.