1. Discuss the pressure that women endure when balancing the roles of student, wife, career woman, and mother when it comes to age norms throughout their lives in our society.
Women are the glue that holds the world together. Woman face many pressures in the present day balancing the roles of woman, student, wife, mother, and career woman. One does not have to be all the roles listed but most women juggle two or more of the listed roles. Why is it that women face these pressures and take on various roles? Naomi Wolf highlights that
Though a woman does full-time paid work, she still does all or nearly all the unpaid work that she used to. In the United States, partners of employed women give them less help than do partners of housewives: Husbands of full-time homemakers help out for an hour and fifteen minutes a day, while husbands of women with full-time jobs help less than half as long—thirty-six minutes (Wolf 2002).
Women are the facilitators of life, without women life would not be able to come into physical existence. Our sole existence is essential to the continual revolving of the earth.
Women who juggle many roles experience pressures to perform the roles and to perform them well. What is well? Unfortunately, society has heavily influenced the criteria for good performance. The majority of TV-characters selling a new Glade candle, Brawny’s ultra-plush paper towel, or Cottonel toilet paper are all women or characterizations of women. The majority of these TV-women seem to be stay at home moms or caregivers always waiting for the next chance to cook, clean, and serve their family to their content. Growing up I was not surrounded by stay at home mothers or caregivers. The majority of the women in my life were the breadwinner, career women, mothers, wives, and community leaders. How did they do it and how did they feel?
These women did these extensive activities and carried out their roles by always being on the go and continually exhausted. These women—one specifically my mother—worked from 7:30 am to 6 pm went grocery shopping, cooked a full healthy meal, paid bills, oversaw her kids homework, and yet found time to try and read her own book. It may seem she balanced her life easily and on task, but to the contrary my mother has a life of daily stress and exhaustion. I am not complaining, but am enlightening society of the pressures that women encounter on a daily basis. I believe that just highlighting the physical or visible effects of the balancing act women encounter whether young or old is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to other aspects of women that is affected. Women also encounter self-esteem issues, boredom, used issues, and feelings of not meeting the standards or pressures that society continues to portray. An example of how society, female roles, and age affect women is discussed in our reading of plastic surgery.
Ann Marie is not at all shy about discussing her face-lift. She actually seems eager to tell me the reasons for her decision. Her appearance began to change in her late thirties and forties when she developed “puffiness underneath the eyes” and “dropping upper eyelids.” Most unattractive, by Ann Marie’s account, “the skin of my throat started getting creepy.” In her words, “You get to an age” when “you look in the mirror and see lines that were not there before.” Because her physical appearance had begun to reflect the aging process, she explains, “all of a sudden, the need [for cosmetic surgery] was there (Gimlin 2002).
Unfortunately, the stress from playing many characters in the musical of life have encouraged or pushed women to head for the knife as a temporary relief. They find that plastic surgery will erase the wear and tear of years of the balancing act.
It is important to discuss such issues so that society can learn and become more balanced in its societal expectations of both man and woman. I joked at the beginning of my answer to the question that women are the glue that holds the world together; however, at this point in time I believe that women are the glue until society equalizes life roles and responsibilities between sexes.
2. Define stereotypes. Identify how people are stereotyped into categories. Consider your experience, have you ever felt the pressure to be a stereotypical image. Specifically, have you ever felt pressure to conform to a stereotype? What was the situation? Reflecting back, what were the rewards or consequences for your response? Please make sure to include the specific situation.
Stereotypes are a simplified opinion or perspective of a person or thing. Stereotypes can be a jock, fat girl, loser, nerd, beauty queen, dancer, smoker, and the list could go on. Stereotypes are a kind of a heuristic; a heuristic is a mental shortcut used to quickly and efficiently understand a concept. In psychology heuristics are used as a quick processing of information. Stereotypes allow people to read and form quick understandings about others. It cuts down on the question and answer phase of meeting someone new and allows for pre-judgment and opinion formation. Stereotypes are not always bad, but for the most part in our body image pop-crazed culture stereotypes are seldom positive.
Various forms of judgment such as: class, financial status, occupation, education, sex, gender, hobbies, sports, material possessions, and personality types stereotype people. These classifications are only naming a few, but unfortunately these are the few that I find most commonly used. Stereotypes are not just pre-judgments from other people, but can also occur within the individuals towards themselves. An individual can notice that they are somehow different than the majority of the population and consider themselves an outsider. Within my college years, I have experienced many moments where I have felt social pressure to fit a stereotype. As a former member of a Pan-Hellenic sorority. I remember my freshman year after I pledged I encountered a whirlwind of stereotypical feedback from friends and family. I knew of the stereotype of sorority girls, but I also new how much more different actual sorority life can be from what is portrayed in movies. From day one to about spring of 2008, I always felt wanted, accepted, and busy; the feeling and acceptance a sorority provides is one that is only given to you with reciprocation expected. To explain this phenomena I will use my example of involvement my freshman year: I was one of the rush picks and so in return I was University Sing lead singer, Big Event Executive Committee member, Dance Marathon Morale Committee member, a Spanish tutor, and held down a job while still making good grades. In return my sorority always publicized what new members are “out there” making their mark on campus promoting the sorority! One does not realize that through all this involvement there is a minimal gain in it for the individual, but more monetary and reputational gain for the sorority.
The over-involvement was not pressure to fit the mold, but I experienced more pressure form friends and family that I was becoming a sorority girl. I remember a specific instance where the boy I was long distance dating at the time loathed the fact that I joined a sorority. He continually would discuss the stereotypes that he had just like Vendela Vida’s Sorority Sisters:
One of the first houses Group 10 goes to is Kappa Kappa Gamma, reputed to have all the pretty girls, cocaine parties, and strict bulimia regimens for its members who are failed anorexics (Vida 2000).
He made it very apparent every time we saw each other, saying my sorority was “changing me.” I kept thinking how was my sorority changing me if I kept up my grades, did not party, and still made ample time for friends and family. One time I was visiting him at his house and he made the remark that did I not have any different clothing than that provided by the sorority. I could not believe that he would label me as just a sorority girl. My own boyfriend at the time placed me in the same group of girls as you see in movies like House Bunny or Old School.
At that point I realized that I enjoyed being a member of my sorority for the involvement and friends, but did not enjoy the label that everyone seemed to be giving me. I continued to participate in my required and extracurricular activities that were encouraged by the sorority, but I also began to branch out and meet other interesting people that were not Greek. I received a lot of questions from my sorority sisters, but I continued to tell them that I wanted a well-rounded college experience instead of a Greek one. It was as if branching out of the stereotype was inconceivable like Kim’s book collection from Vida’s essay.
One of our next parties is at Delta Delta Delta…Once inside; it’s greet-judge-pass all over again…until I meet Kim. Kim is a beautiful funkily-dressed black Tri-Delt (the first funkily-dressed, not to mention black woman I’ve seen during rush) whose bookshelf—which I see when she takes me on a house tour—is not to be believed. Unlike bookshelves at other sororities that seem to serve as no more than display cases for teddy bears holding UCLA banners and photos…Kim’s bookshelf houses an impressive collection of Scandinavian literature (Vida 2000).
The rewards of being involved with my greek affiliation and my campus extracurricular activities allowed me to see that college isn’t about finding our identity in a group but in ourselves. I unfortunately did not come to this realization as quickly as I should have; I realized that the stereotype of sorority girls is not true, but will continue to persist. I also learned that there are stereotypes within the house just like those outside the house. I battled deeply with my identity and defining myself around all the stereotypes in my life. Unfortunately, for me the stereotypes were not helpful until I began to understand that who and what I am should not be affected by other’s perceptions, but by my own decisions and perceptions. It is now that I am finally enjoying life outside of stereotypes; so what if I was once a Greek, it was a good stage for a period of time.
References:
Gilin, D.L . (2002). Body work: beauty and self image in american culture.
Vida, V. (2000). Girls on the verge gilin, d.l . (2002). body work: beauty and self
image in american culture. . St. Martin's Griffin.
Wolf, N. (2002). The Beauty myth how images of beauty are used against women.
New York, NY : Harper Perennial.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Media Analysis
Recently, looking threw In Style’s December issue I found an advertisement for Juicy Couture. The advertisement pictures two young teens one a boy and the other a girl. The boy, longhaired and shirtless, dressed with a long whisper pink tule skirt with Juicy Couture—JC—calf socks and Mary Jane’s. He has a leopard coat draped over his left shoulder and is carrying a JC handbag. The young girl has a 1950’s dip pity-do up do with a black power suit, patent leather arm length gloves, and ankle wrap heals. The advertisement reads “Do the Don’ts—You can always get what you want.”
The nature of the young man dressed in all female items is offensive, but then the usage of wording as “do the don’ts” and “you can always get what you want” is highly offensive to whom the magazine targets. Most women who actually read the magazine are between the ages of 20-45 and those who purchase the magazine for trends are definitively 17-25. The ad is selling Juicy Couture products on the young man’s body. We discussed how the generalization of men in the advertising industry is occurring, and this advertisement is thus a prime example. The usage of the young man as the display and bearer of all things desired exemplifies that with such materialistic possessions one can do whatever one desires. For those not oriented with the majority of JC products, they are in the Saks Fifth Avenue price range. In exchange, the advertisement is selling financial satisfaction with the product and sexual satisfaction that if money can buy one JC then money can give power and sex—such as “do the don’ts”.
The ad promotes the marginalization of men used as props or the source for women’s desired fashion luxuries. It also suggest that with material, financial, and sexual luxuries one will then always get what they have wanted. The ad promotes the sporadic use of money for sex, power and influence and the beginning of the generalization of men.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new Gap Christmas commercials are sending a great message about the fun and joy of Christmas instead of the commercialization of Christmas. The TV commercials are a cheerleading like forty-five second relay of the different Christmas celebrations and how the holidays bring us together. The company is promoting their plaid and various sweaters, but the company is also selling the product in a manner that appeals to a wider demographic. The print advertisement read “P-L-A-I-D what’s going under your tree? What if I go lo-tech and wrap up plaid for you? We could skip those hi-tech gifts. Plaid’s got buttons, too.” Gap is obviously selling a sweater, but a softer commercial message of enjoy the kids, parents, cousins, and family around whether it be over a sweater or the warmth a sweater brings. It’s highlighting how much attention is placed on video games and high-tech gadgets instead of the joy of Christmas that is sharing.
The commercials and paper advertisements show people jumping mid-air smiling, kids being kids, parents laughing with kids, people making human ornament formations, and the spread of holiday cheer. I do believe the ads are combating general stereotypes. They are not showcasing sexiness or dominance, but the universality of humanity and the beauty in visual diversity. I would say the advertisement remains sexually neutral in that it does not focus on aspects of femininity or masculinity. The advertisement seems to empower all-men and women. The campaign slogan for the Gap holiday advertisements is cheerfactory.com; I believe the slogan implies that Gap is attacking the stress and strain of the holidays on men and women and encouraging everyone to thinking of the holiday’s as a cheery happy season.
The new Gap holiday ads send a great positive Christmas message. The ads do not highlight the over commercialized aspect of Christmas shopping and gift-giving; however, the ads are promoting how fun Christmas can be with those one loves. The tri-fold ad in a magazine closes with “this is the way—uh huh, uh huh—we holiday” the kids are holding an ornament in a pyramid formation. It shows all of us are meant to share and enjoy the one season a year we have to wrap up and have fun with all our friends and family.
Blog 10: Women's Bodies and Popular Music
Blog 10: Create a soundtrack that represents a healthy body image for you. List your song choices (use playlist.com and add to your blog) and explain why they are appropriate. Has your taste in music changed though the years? Respond to the readings.
Best of You- Foo Fighters
Song talks about how people, situations, and life can just get in the way sometimes and block one from living life. It works for me and body image because it’s not letting the comparisons of walking around campus or anywhere not get me down or to not compare myself to anyone, but to love myself for who I am.
No Llores-Gloria Estefean
Gloria Estefan is definitely a childhood favorite! This song speaks of those who use and abuse and about leaving them behind and moving on with one’s life. It’s definitely an empowering song and one can’t beat those salsa rhythms!
Diva-Beyonce
Diva is just one of those songs that makes you want to put on your kickin’ heels and just dance! It’s a song that definitely can gather girls together and have one fun time, being DIVAS! Beyonce has definitely been a positive pop culture influence in the world of body image.
Blog 9: Women's Bodies: Images, Media, and Popular Culture
Blog 9: Has a popular culture had an influence on how you view the differences between women and men? How? Has popular culture influenced how you understand race and class? In what way? When you see something in a TV show that seems sexist to you, do you point it out or discuss it with friends or family? Why or why not? What are the first associations that come to mind when you hear the word “feminist”? Where have those associations come from?
I would definitely say that pop culture in general has had a large impact on my perceptions of men and women; however, my Puerto Rican roots have shaped and enhanced the way I evaluate men and women. I have become accustomed to viewing women as equally able as men. My culture has always held the roles of women in high esteem. Women as the facilitator of life, women are dynamic beings, and women are capable of anything and everything. Men are providers and protectors, men are coaches, and like women, men are capable of anything and everything. I have come to have a genuine respect for men and their roles in facilitating the movement towards equality for men and women. The Puerto Rican figures in my life, both male and female, have all been individuals of scholarly achievement, career achievement, and lifetime fulfillment. Meaning that none of the men or women in my life has seemed to hamper the aspirations and achievements of the sexes. The culture is beginning to become more affected by the popular cultural movement of music, television, and mass media. The more the people allow the media to have a large role in influencing the younger generation, the wider the equality gap becomes. There is an increase in polarization and prejudice because of the widespread media. Popular culture has influenced the traditional music of Puerto Rico and turned its youngsters away from what is tradition. There is nothing wrong with the new wave music of reaggeaton, but the message that is sends to its young audience is what causes the revolution of polarization and prejudice.
Like the saying “art reflects life, and life reflects art,” so too television reflects life. I have lived in many different atmospheres where I have experienced how television has become more than just an hour of relaxation or mindless activity to almost a completely different lifestyle. I have seen the transformation that different forms of pushing the line television have caused. For this reason I do not watch reality television, I find it highly offensive, I do speak up about it, and choose not to watch the shows. I believe that the particular offensive reality TV shows, the ones with the highest ratings, have caused desensitization to what reality really is. People become so involved with the characters life on TV that much in their life seems unrealistic to the reality that they “watch.” I typically discuss with friends and family the ridiculousness of the shows theme and how the exploitation of the characters on the show has caused viewers to forget compassion and respect and almost revert back to hedonistic roman culture.
Before the course I thought a feminist was an outright man hater; however, now my perception of a feminist/feminism is completely different. Feminism is a choice to identify with inequality between gender rights. I would say the word feminism stems from the feminist movements of decades previous, but now I believe the word feminism generalizes to a lot more relevant topics and varied individuals. The name feminist/feminism sticks because what else would it be called manism, gayism—no—that just sounds not too right, but women for the most part have always sought for equality, respect, and recognition and so it would justify to keep feminism as the title. Feminism is the right to stand and fight for what is rightly so in the gender arena; it can be to fight for equal rights between all genders, fighting for recognition of genders, and fighting for respect of gender in any arena.
I would definitely say that pop culture in general has had a large impact on my perceptions of men and women; however, my Puerto Rican roots have shaped and enhanced the way I evaluate men and women. I have become accustomed to viewing women as equally able as men. My culture has always held the roles of women in high esteem. Women as the facilitator of life, women are dynamic beings, and women are capable of anything and everything. Men are providers and protectors, men are coaches, and like women, men are capable of anything and everything. I have come to have a genuine respect for men and their roles in facilitating the movement towards equality for men and women. The Puerto Rican figures in my life, both male and female, have all been individuals of scholarly achievement, career achievement, and lifetime fulfillment. Meaning that none of the men or women in my life has seemed to hamper the aspirations and achievements of the sexes. The culture is beginning to become more affected by the popular cultural movement of music, television, and mass media. The more the people allow the media to have a large role in influencing the younger generation, the wider the equality gap becomes. There is an increase in polarization and prejudice because of the widespread media. Popular culture has influenced the traditional music of Puerto Rico and turned its youngsters away from what is tradition. There is nothing wrong with the new wave music of reaggeaton, but the message that is sends to its young audience is what causes the revolution of polarization and prejudice.
Like the saying “art reflects life, and life reflects art,” so too television reflects life. I have lived in many different atmospheres where I have experienced how television has become more than just an hour of relaxation or mindless activity to almost a completely different lifestyle. I have seen the transformation that different forms of pushing the line television have caused. For this reason I do not watch reality television, I find it highly offensive, I do speak up about it, and choose not to watch the shows. I believe that the particular offensive reality TV shows, the ones with the highest ratings, have caused desensitization to what reality really is. People become so involved with the characters life on TV that much in their life seems unrealistic to the reality that they “watch.” I typically discuss with friends and family the ridiculousness of the shows theme and how the exploitation of the characters on the show has caused viewers to forget compassion and respect and almost revert back to hedonistic roman culture.
Before the course I thought a feminist was an outright man hater; however, now my perception of a feminist/feminism is completely different. Feminism is a choice to identify with inequality between gender rights. I would say the word feminism stems from the feminist movements of decades previous, but now I believe the word feminism generalizes to a lot more relevant topics and varied individuals. The name feminist/feminism sticks because what else would it be called manism, gayism—no—that just sounds not too right, but women for the most part have always sought for equality, respect, and recognition and so it would justify to keep feminism as the title. Feminism is the right to stand and fight for what is rightly so in the gender arena; it can be to fight for equal rights between all genders, fighting for recognition of genders, and fighting for respect of gender in any arena.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Blog 6: Beauty as Commodity, Woman as Consumer and Product
Below are pictures of stars who have undergone subtle plastic surgery changes.
Why did cosmetic surgery become centered around women?
The surge in the accessibility to mass media and advertising has made an impact on the refocusing of cosmetic surgery towards women. The issue of cosmetic surgery to fix a particular flaw and contend with the nagging self doubt seems more mainstream than in early cosmetic history of finding content in natural selection. The change that has greatly impacted female’s self perceptions is that of insecurity or self-identity and the availability to “fix” a flaw and in doing so fixing self-insecurity and boosting one’s self identity. I believe women in today’s society have polar role-models with whom they make constant unconscious or conscious comparisons to, and the choice of comparing causes the degradation or in some cases boosting of one’s self-esteem. I believe it can be explained that women throughout history for the most part have been more concerned with appearance—than men—and this generational fight has now been cured with the ability to “nip/tuck.” Cosmetic surgery is a quick and easy fix of the beginning to solving personal issues.
What are your thoughts on cosmetic surgery?
I think cosmetic surgery is fascinating medical field and like any profession has positives and negatives. Cosmetic surgery is so helpful in the rehabilitation of individuals who have experienced great physical disfiguring trauma. The field is also helpful to those who have mental and perception trauma in their body image. I am not against individuals—male and female—opting to pay to alter their bodies; however, I do believe there needs to be a screening process as Debra Gimlin discusses in her essay. I think it is important for cosmetic surgeons to evaluate patients physically and mentally and coach patients whether they are ready or not for the particular procedure. I think ill counseling efforts can cause the addictive tendency to cosmetic surgery because the seriousness of the procedure was not thoroughly explained.
Do you feel it is something people take too lightly?
Yes. Like I mentioned in the previous response, I believe there is not sufficient patient education on the affects of post-cosmetic surgery. The choice to undergo such a procedure should include months of mental and physical preparation and periodic evaluations by the physiclan before full approval to do the procedure. I think if more plastic surgeons carried out their practice like so, then there would be less accidents and addictions to cosmetic procedures.
Is it an expression of a vain and shallow culture or is it something positive people can do to improve their looks and self-image? Or does it depend upon the context?
I believe it can be all of these depending upon the context. I think if someone wants cosmetic surgery so bad then they are going to find someone to do the procedure regardless of the dangers and social implications. However, I do believe surgery can be an enhancement to someone who is aging, young, and even a victim of life accidents.
I know three individuals who underwent cosmetic surgery: two for sole cosmetic purposes and one for health reasons. I had a 23 year old friend who had naturally unhealthy large sized breast that were causing back pain and full body strain. She underwent a breast reduction so that her breast would be proportionate to her body and save her further medical complications later in life. She now feels better because she does not have to worry about how her breast may offend people in public, and how she can wear clothing that fits instead of clothing that just fits her breasts. The other cases are one of a 56 year old practicing physician who had the genetic inclination to baggy eyes and inelastic aged facial skin. She underwent a procedure to reintroduce elasticity to her face and to reduce her puffy eyes. Everyone agrees that she does look remarkably better and she too does not regret the procedure because she feels she finally looks her age and not older. I also had another friend who had breast augmentation to make her breast larger. I was almost embarrassed that someone my age would want larger breast. You see I consider my breast normal in size and love the fact that they are not large or busty because I can wear clothing that is low (which is comfy) and not worry about cleavage or bustyness showing. However, when I asked her why she wanted to have bigger breasts she told me that most people don’t know that she has no chest because she has always only been able to wear adolescent training push-up bras. Instantly I knew what she meant and sympathized with her issue with her body image. I also asked her if she ever considered waiting several years until she had children and see if then she may develop child-bearing breasts. She said it’s something she thought about, but whose to say that children are in her near future and why would I wait to have breasts and still be insecure until years from now. It was a powerful explanation and moment with an in person situation of body image and societal influence. I discontinued my rant of twenty questions and encouraged her that her new breasts would look great and that she would be alright. I met up with her after her procedure--noticed that like my other friend who had breast reduction--her new breast now fit her body and created a more well-rounded look for her. In these cases I would not choose to undergo cosmetic surgery but it is a personal decision that needs to be dealt with in a serious matter.
Why did cosmetic surgery become centered around women?
The surge in the accessibility to mass media and advertising has made an impact on the refocusing of cosmetic surgery towards women. The issue of cosmetic surgery to fix a particular flaw and contend with the nagging self doubt seems more mainstream than in early cosmetic history of finding content in natural selection. The change that has greatly impacted female’s self perceptions is that of insecurity or self-identity and the availability to “fix” a flaw and in doing so fixing self-insecurity and boosting one’s self identity. I believe women in today’s society have polar role-models with whom they make constant unconscious or conscious comparisons to, and the choice of comparing causes the degradation or in some cases boosting of one’s self-esteem. I believe it can be explained that women throughout history for the most part have been more concerned with appearance—than men—and this generational fight has now been cured with the ability to “nip/tuck.” Cosmetic surgery is a quick and easy fix of the beginning to solving personal issues.
What are your thoughts on cosmetic surgery?
I think cosmetic surgery is fascinating medical field and like any profession has positives and negatives. Cosmetic surgery is so helpful in the rehabilitation of individuals who have experienced great physical disfiguring trauma. The field is also helpful to those who have mental and perception trauma in their body image. I am not against individuals—male and female—opting to pay to alter their bodies; however, I do believe there needs to be a screening process as Debra Gimlin discusses in her essay. I think it is important for cosmetic surgeons to evaluate patients physically and mentally and coach patients whether they are ready or not for the particular procedure. I think ill counseling efforts can cause the addictive tendency to cosmetic surgery because the seriousness of the procedure was not thoroughly explained.
Do you feel it is something people take too lightly?
Yes. Like I mentioned in the previous response, I believe there is not sufficient patient education on the affects of post-cosmetic surgery. The choice to undergo such a procedure should include months of mental and physical preparation and periodic evaluations by the physiclan before full approval to do the procedure. I think if more plastic surgeons carried out their practice like so, then there would be less accidents and addictions to cosmetic procedures.
Is it an expression of a vain and shallow culture or is it something positive people can do to improve their looks and self-image? Or does it depend upon the context?
I believe it can be all of these depending upon the context. I think if someone wants cosmetic surgery so bad then they are going to find someone to do the procedure regardless of the dangers and social implications. However, I do believe surgery can be an enhancement to someone who is aging, young, and even a victim of life accidents.
I know three individuals who underwent cosmetic surgery: two for sole cosmetic purposes and one for health reasons. I had a 23 year old friend who had naturally unhealthy large sized breast that were causing back pain and full body strain. She underwent a breast reduction so that her breast would be proportionate to her body and save her further medical complications later in life. She now feels better because she does not have to worry about how her breast may offend people in public, and how she can wear clothing that fits instead of clothing that just fits her breasts. The other cases are one of a 56 year old practicing physician who had the genetic inclination to baggy eyes and inelastic aged facial skin. She underwent a procedure to reintroduce elasticity to her face and to reduce her puffy eyes. Everyone agrees that she does look remarkably better and she too does not regret the procedure because she feels she finally looks her age and not older. I also had another friend who had breast augmentation to make her breast larger. I was almost embarrassed that someone my age would want larger breast. You see I consider my breast normal in size and love the fact that they are not large or busty because I can wear clothing that is low (which is comfy) and not worry about cleavage or bustyness showing. However, when I asked her why she wanted to have bigger breasts she told me that most people don’t know that she has no chest because she has always only been able to wear adolescent training push-up bras. Instantly I knew what she meant and sympathized with her issue with her body image. I also asked her if she ever considered waiting several years until she had children and see if then she may develop child-bearing breasts. She said it’s something she thought about, but whose to say that children are in her near future and why would I wait to have breasts and still be insecure until years from now. It was a powerful explanation and moment with an in person situation of body image and societal influence. I discontinued my rant of twenty questions and encouraged her that her new breasts would look great and that she would be alright. I met up with her after her procedure--noticed that like my other friend who had breast reduction--her new breast now fit her body and created a more well-rounded look for her. In these cases I would not choose to undergo cosmetic surgery but it is a personal decision that needs to be dealt with in a serious matter.
Blog 7: Culture of Thinness
- What is an eating disorder?
An eating disorder as defined by the Oxford American dictionary is any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits.
- How has the influence of the fashion, film, media, and diet industries affected our notions of beauty and contributed to the rise in eating disorders as well as disordered eating?
The social institutions of media and pop culture influence our notions of beauty by the “invisible” institutions standards by marketing these images as wealth, prosperity, and success. American’s live by the premise of the self made man and we encourage and feed off individuals who have made it to the “top” and constantly compare ourselves to these people. Why? It is human nature to constantly size our personal accomplishments and status with others—a psychological and physically manifested “Keeping up the with Jones’s’” complex. Since now we understand how underlying insecurities can exist it is more simple to understand how social influence can affect self-perceptions manifestations in the form of eating disorders and disordered eating. Because humanity is in some form genetically inclined to feed off influence and praise that the social institutions mass force of influence thus have an impact on our psyche affecting our self image depending on how strong and positive or negative or self-esteem has been developed.
- Can a detailed look at the clinical picture of what eating disorders are, including definitions, common themes, cultural and family background analysis, aid in the prevention and treatment of these illnesses and conditions?
There are many preventative measures that can be made to prevent further generations from suffering from family and friend influence and inclination towards eating disorders; however, I do believe people do not seek such evaluation and help to prevent further evolution of eating disorders.
- Have food, appearance preoccupation and diet addiction become our society’s new sacred rituals?
Yes, there’s a huge movement towards food portion and weight control. The media and reality have impacted recent American culture to become highly aware of calories from shows like: “The Biggest Loser”, “Diet Wars”, “Extreme Makeover”, and “Celebrity Fit Club”. Some of these shows’ contestants are normal lay individuals while others are even movie/TV stars struggling with the ideal/image they project! The new era of body image and food contains individuals more knowledgeable on food calories, nutrition value, organic and processed, and preferences; even with more accessible knowledge society still chooses to be impacted by social institutional influence.
- How has a capitalist and abundant economic climate contributed to the disorders related to food, obesity and a preoccupation with appearance?
In researching how capitalist and abundant economies can affect disorders related to food, obesity, and preoccupation with appearance I found a series of documentaries by the BBC on “America’s ‘Body Image’ Documentary”.
BBC AMERICA REVEALS TO PREMIERE SIX NEW BODY IMAGE DOCUMENTARIES ON SUNDAYS THIS SUMMER
o Following the success of Super Skinny Me and My Big Breasts and I, BBC AMERICA’s weekly documentary slot, BBC AMERICA REVEALS, will premiere six brand new body image programs starting in June. The collection of documentaries includes - Too Ugly To Love, which follows three people with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), a largely undiagnosed body image disorder - Plastic Surgery Junkies with Louis Theroux, where the investigative journalist travels to California to reveal the startling reality of this Hollywood trend and Transvestite Wives, which begins the series with a firsthand look at transvestite relationships.
TRANSVESTITE WIVES
o Transvestite Wives takes a look at three transvestite relationships through the eyes of their wives and partners. Sheila discovered seven years into her relationship that her husband Dennis is a transvestite, while Sam, 20, is embracing her 40-year-old partner Chris’s transvestite lifestyle and Robyn at last finds happiness with her cross-dresser husband Dean.
o Transvestite Wives premieres Sunday, June 1, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
TOO UGLY TO LOVE
o Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a largely undiagnosed body image disorder characterized by an excessive preoccupation with a real or imagined defect in one’s physical appearance. The condition finds people obsessed with the way they look and causes significant emotional stress. Often misunderstood as a vanity driven obsession, people with BDD are quite the opposite - they think they are ugly or disfigured. Too Ugly To Love follows the lives of three people who are battling with the debilitating condition to regain a normal life.
o Too Ugly To Love premieres Sunday, June 8, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
BRITAIN’S WORST TEETH
o This eye-opening documentary follows four people in their twenties, who have some of the worst teeth in Britain. Their teeth are so dreadful they have an impact on every aspect of their lives – they find eating and speaking difficult because of the pain, are embarrassed to go out and have no hope of attracting partners. Luckily, three of Britain's top dentists have agreed to take on these four cases to see if there’s anything that can be done to save their terrible teeth.
o Britain’s Worst Teeth premieres Sunday, June 15, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
MY SECRET FEMALE BODY
o My Secret Female Body takes a look at the life of Danny, a female-to-male transsexual. Born as Katie, Danny has been living as a man for four years and has had male hormone injections, every two weeks, for a year. Now, at 22, Danny undergoes a dramatic surgical transformation which physically changes his body from female to male. This documentary sees Danny embark on the
o first stage of this irreversible procedure – a double mastectomy – which is followed by complicated penis surgery. My Secret Female Body premieres Sunday, June 22, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
I’M A BOY ANOREXIC
o Anorexia is often seen as being a “girl's problem” - but it’s not just girls that are affected by eating disorders. Boys can develop them too, though their symptoms are often missed. This documentary follows Declan, a 15-year-old boy, who struggles with an obsessive relationship with food. As a last resort, after losing a dramatic amount of weight, he turns to Rhodes Farm, a unit dedicated to treatment of children with eating disorders. Declan is not alone, the film talks to other patients about their struggles, including the clinic’s youngest male, an 11-year-old boy. This journey follows Declan’s final weeks of treatment and his return to school with the attempt at a fresh start.
o I’m a Boy Anorexic premieres Sunday, July 6, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
o PLASTIC SURGERY JUNKIES WITH LOUIS THEROUX
o Investigative journalist Louis Theroux (Michael Moore’s TV Nation, Weird Weekends) travels to California to observe the sweeping trend of being obsessed with self image. In California, the birthplace of plastic surgery, people can be whatever they want, at the flick of knife and with a few thousand dollars. In fact, they don’t even need the cash, just a credit card or a monthly payment plan with their friendly plastic surgeon. What was once an unaffordable luxury is now an everyday commodity. Louis meets an astonishing cast of characters and discovers a complex arena of cosmetic surgery. Will Louis succumb to the promises of plastic surgery and opt for a procedure himself?
o Plastic Surgery Junkies with Louis Theroux premieres Sunday, July 13, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
o BBC AMERICA brings audiences a new generation of award-winning television featuring news with a uniquely global perspective, provocative dramas, razor-sharp comedies and life-changing makeovers. BBC AMERICA pushes the boundaries to deliver high quality, highly addictive and eminently watchable programming to viewers who demand more. BBC AMERICA is distributed by Discovery Networks. It is available on digital cable and satellite TV in more than 60 million homes. For up-to-the-minute information on BBC AMERICA, forthcoming U.S. premieres, art work and news from the channel, log on to www.press.bbcamerica.com.
Can society become reintegrated ?
• I believe society is incapable of becoming reintegrated because the social perceptions have been deeply ingrained in our cultural society. I do not mean or try to be pessimistic but I do think that when some perceptions are so popular and commercialized that it is very difficult to decrease the marketable influence.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Blog 4
Blog 4: Beauty Cult & Men
• What are some benefits to boys and men of putting on the “tough guise”?
o Talk about why this is so.
o Discuss how this misconception makes it difficult for many men, and women, to understand the gendered nature of men’s lives.
• What are some of the potential effects on boys and men of trying to live up to our culture’s ideal of physical size and strength?
o Emotional Effects?
o Health effects?
• What is the relationship between cultural ideals and male strength and steroid abuse?
o Do you feel that the media simply reflect changes in society, or do they in some way inspire change?
o If the former was the stereotypical size of the “masculine” male so much smaller in the past?
o If the latter, explain how and why you feel individuals are susceptible to media influence?
• What are some benefits to boys and men of putting on the “tough guise”?
- I believe it is important for men to have a healthy sense of the “tough guise” in order to fulfill a part of the genetically inclined need to rescue, protect, and provide for someone in their lifetime. However, the “tough guise” has been misconstrued to type cast men to no longer be caring, protective, and provisional roles but to be tough, inconsiderate, insecure, and highly affected by social roles in society.
- Men and women both experience benefits from the positive healthy use of a “tough guise”; however, when the “tough guise” is used in the context of Jackson Katz film is where men, like women, get lost in societies opinions of beauty and live, breathe, and thrive on what outer results provide instead of inner satisfaction.
o Talk about why this is so.
o Discuss how this misconception makes it difficult for many men, and women, to understand the gendered nature of men’s lives.
- Gender roles help to fulfill life efficiently and with some form of definition. Gender is not meant to keep humanity within certain perimeters but to allow the division of labor more effectively and efficiently. Some gender issues can be debilitating for those stuck within the norm of having things black and white. However, learning gender roles is not an issue we decide to learn for ourselves but something we learn by social conditioning.
• What are some of the potential effects on boys and men of trying to live up to our culture’s ideal of physical size and strength?
o Emotional Effects?
o Health effects?
- I believe the social constructions are not healthy for both male and female. The societal ideal sets up unattainable goals of masculinity and image that is impossible to attain. However, the use of societal images and perceptions can be used to encourage someone to maintain health and healthy body image—as said by a male friend of mine in the fashion and film industry. I do believe an unhealthy perception, just like for females, can lead a life of anxiety and neurotic sentiments—unfulfilled life.
• What is the relationship between cultural ideals and male strength and steroid abuse?
o Do you feel that the media simply reflect changes in society, or do they in some way inspire change?
o If the former was the stereotypical size of the “masculine” male so much smaller in the past?
o If the latter, explain how and why you feel individuals are susceptible to media influence?
- From the readings in the Body Outlaws text I believe like stated earlier that the affects of media influence affected the individual in the texts, but I believe the effect depends on the health and stability of the individual.
- From the video, Greg decided steroids were his aid in achieving the body building supreme figure. However, he now suffers the consequences of loss of muscle, steroid side affects, and his accountability with the law. The media influence on males such as steroid use, athleticism, and body form can have a grave affect in the lives of friends and relatives. I had a former experience with a close male friend of mine having an eating disorder and being an NCAA star football player. My friend struggled with being 6’6 weighing 300lbs and the girl he dated being 5’5 and weighing at 130 lbs. He felt that he looked and was perceived as abnormal to everyone because he was tall and a muscular athlete. I kept explaining to my friend that as an active athlete he needed to eat the recommended three meals a day because his body used calories in excess compared to the average males body. My friend had become susceptible to the social body image of the average male size and the look. However, he was not this societal ideal image but much better he is intelligent, an amazing singer, and an all star athlete. It is interesting to see what current teens say about their body image, societal roles, and labels and we perceive all the issues.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
