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The Problem of Female Body Image

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The Problem of Female Body Image

Postby happening fish » 6/14/2005, 8:19 pm

The F-word. Three letters that little girls around the world are taught to hate and fear. My younger sister used to refuse to utter that word at all, in relation to anyone, so deeply ingrained was it in her that it was a terrible, offensive thing to be. How can it be that until only the last century, “women’s natural amplitude was their beauty” (Wolf 185), but now any trace of heaviness is seen as disgusting, embarrassing, “expendable female filth” (Wolf 192)? The ‘problem’ of weight loss is disguised as a medical issue, but this prognosis is rendered transparent when we realize that the overwhelming majority of slimming information is directed squarely at women, for whom it is utterly natural and unavoidable to have a greater percentage of body fat than their male counterparts. In fact, Wolf cites studies that suggest that women would do better to refrain from dieting and found that being overweight made “only a fraction of the difference for [women’s health] than it made for men” (177). Clearly then, this is not truly about health. Weight control is also sold under the pretence of a natural beauty standard in which it is normal and desirable to be very slim, and any deviance from this is through the neglect or weakness of the woman. But Wolf references a Glamour survey in which “45 percent of the underweight women thought they were too fat” (176). Men have spent centuries being attracted to full-bodied women, and that predisposition can hardly have done an about-face in a single generation. This, then, tells us that something more cancerous is at work in the minds of the world’s female population than a simple desire to attain a “normal” appearance. When a woman’s very identification with female success lies past the reaches of health, of attainability, when it drives her to starve herself to death, as so many have, it is clear that something has gone terribly wrong. As Crosbie puts its, “mimetic interests are one thing… psychotic self-scrutiny is something else entirely” (183). The roots of the problem exist deep in societal scripts, and the only way to alter the annals of cultural influence is to effect a fundamental change in the nature of the issue’s surrounding discourse. This is best done by reaching out to a new generation with the damaging discourses of society not yet embedded in their consciousness.

The first step, then, is to understand how and why the discourse on female body ideals has become so toxic to its targets. My first memory of hating my body is from many years ago. I was about six years old, healthy and utterly normal, standing in my leotard in dance class and wondering why I seemed to have more of a tummy than the stick-like child next to me. I remember complaining to my mother, and I remember her quickly appeasing me and dismissing the notion. What I cannot remember is what it was that I had absorbed from my surroundings that had lead me to the conclusion, so horrible to my childish mind, that I was fat. To infiltrate the consciousness of such a young child, the societal messages must have been incredibly pervasive and unrelenting. What could possibly be the target of so much money spent on advertising and effort focussed on directing public discourse? Wolf argues that this “cultural fixation…is not an obsession about female beauty but an obsession about female obedience” (177). Indeed, in this era of supposed liberation and equality for women, the messages we receive continuously from the media deal unashamedly with perpetuating and promoting female subjugation. They encourage women to be silent, they emphasize female sexual passivity, and they glamorize violence (Simon 43-45). Closed mouths, abused bodies: women under control.

Compare the intensification of these sentiments with the state of women over the past century and we come to Wolf’s conclusion regarding the motivation to starve. She outlines how feminine body ideals became more restricted and linear in direct coincidence with the rise in female power. As women started voting and wearing pants, they were obliged to lose their curves and more closely resemble men. A brief regression in the 1950’s brought back the plumpness codified by Marilyn Monroe, before plummeting to new body weight lows in the revolutionary decades that followed (Wolf 176). With relative acceptance into male-dominated spheres of power, women have been pressed into a body image that denies them the ability to be sexually aggressive, creates anxiety and emotionality, and steals away their free thoughts and time (Wolf 180). In other words, no amount of proving ourselves worthy of professional and social equality will suffice: women must sacrifice their dignity and their selves. As a result of this trade-off, anorexia is spreading rampant throughout Western society and bleeding into the rest of the world, killing 150,000 women a year in the United States alone (Wolf 175).
The pressure to be thinner and thinner comes from every direction. It comes from those who don’t know you and wish only to judge and categorize you. It can also come from those who are closest and have nothing but the best intentions. When I hit puberty and started to fill out, it revolted me. I felt so incapable of controlling my body and so sickened by how much I had bought in to the desperate desire to conform to body norms that I gave up on myself entirely and gained weight steadily as the years went on. From my parents, my supposed source of unconditional love, I got daily unsubtle remarks that only solidified the connection I had created between food and guilty shame. Wolf astutely points out that this relation with guilt is born of the recognition that our bodies have been taken from our grasp and handed to society, with hunger being “a social concession exacted by the community” (Wolf 177).

The ethical dilemma here is a problem of how to handle the root of the identified problem. If the basis of the issue does indeed lie in patriarchal society, how would we go about affecting a change that would strike deeply enough? It is exceedingly hard to lay the blame anywhere in particular, as it could be argued that everyone who ever growled at their love-handles or settled for a salad were an implicit part of continuing the poisonous discourse. The purpose of ethical reflection, however, is not to point fingers but to look beyond the problem for possible solutions. The path to effective change needs to be carefully considered. It is easy to swing to the other end of the spectrum and make liberal “big is beautiful” type statements, but these are just a knee-jerk reaction. They are set up to fail from the very beginning by how they slide into easily-mocked stereotypes, much like the political left has been trivialized and reduced to a bunch of tree-hugging hippie jokes in the past. Instead of falling into the comfortable realm of extremes and stock characters, it is essential to move slowly but deliberately to a shift in the very mindset. The key to this is the new, unformed generation of children. Mothers must not let their daughters see them staring forlornly at the scale, or refusing to be seen in a bathing suit. It is not an easy proposition to alter the thought patterns of a whole society, but if we can shift our children’s perspectives a bit and encourage them to do the same, then we might create a cumulative effect on the health of the female nation. Most importantly, however, the true foundation of our starving culture must become widely realized. From personal experience I feel confident in saying that most women are happy to simply accept health or beauty as the basis for their fixation on the subject, being too afraid of what they might find if they dug deeper into their compulsions. A young woman curled over the toilet is trying desperately to believe her own lies about why she cannot bear to have food in her stomach. It is crucial that we engage in more careful introspection and ask the pertinent question of where our loyalties truly lie: do we really act in the best interests of our selves, or have we allowed our environment to guilt us into paying penance for being born female?
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Postby thirdhour » 6/15/2005, 12:46 am

There's been 21 views, but nooobody wants to follow that mother of a post!


Extremely well-written, I must say.
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Postby nikki4982 » 6/15/2005, 1:08 am

It really is.

If only things would actually change. :no:
<table><tr><td>~ Nikki Edwards
Queen of the Harpies <img src="../phpBB2/files/queen_of_harpies.gif" align="texttop">
</td><td><font color="orange">President of the Pookie Brigade</font>
"If you put those on the internet, I'll kill you guys!" - Jer</td></tr></table>
<center><img src="../phpBB2/files/squiggle.gif">

<font color="#3C8C8B">Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us,
above us only sky, imagine all the people, <font color="#FFFFFF">living</font> for today...</font>

<font color="#50B4B3">Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die
for, no religion too, imagine all the people, living <font color="#FFFFFF">life</font> in peace...</font>

<font color="#89CDCC">Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or <font color="#FFFFFF">hunger</font>,
a brotherhood of man, imagine all the people, sharing all the <font color="#FFFFFF">world</font>...</font>

<font color="#B1DFDE">You may say I'm a <font color="#FFFFFF">dreamer</font>, but I'm not the only one, I hope
some day you'll join us, and the world will <font color="#FFFFFF">live</font> as one.</font></center></font>
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Postby closeyoureyes » 6/15/2005, 1:18 am

Females do have HUGE body image issues, I agree. But it isnt men who should change, women, too, set high standards and men struggle with similar issues, its a two way street.
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Postby nikki4982 » 6/15/2005, 2:13 am

I disagree. I can't tell you how many times I've heard guys (that I was with, or just standing near enough to hear) criticize some poor girl across the room or on TV cos she's too fat or whatever (and a lot of times she's not), but I've almost never heard girls do the same.
<table><tr><td>~ Nikki Edwards
Queen of the Harpies <img src="../phpBB2/files/queen_of_harpies.gif" align="texttop">
</td><td><font color="orange">President of the Pookie Brigade</font>
"If you put those on the internet, I'll kill you guys!" - Jer</td></tr></table>
<center><img src="../phpBB2/files/squiggle.gif">

<font color="#3C8C8B">Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us,
above us only sky, imagine all the people, <font color="#FFFFFF">living</font> for today...</font>

<font color="#50B4B3">Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die
for, no religion too, imagine all the people, living <font color="#FFFFFF">life</font> in peace...</font>

<font color="#89CDCC">Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or <font color="#FFFFFF">hunger</font>,
a brotherhood of man, imagine all the people, sharing all the <font color="#FFFFFF">world</font>...</font>

<font color="#B1DFDE">You may say I'm a <font color="#FFFFFF">dreamer</font>, but I'm not the only one, I hope
some day you'll join us, and the world will <font color="#FFFFFF">live</font> as one.</font></center></font>
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Postby Random Name » 6/15/2005, 8:49 am

That’s fantastic and very well written.

It’s sort of like a societal secret that every woman is secretly conscience of her body image but its true. People look at the skinny anorexic girls and think that they are the only ones who carry around a glamour obsession but I don't think I have ever met a girl that doesn't fall into that category. Thin girls think they are shapeless and flat while curvy girls think they are chunky and overweight. It’s like a vicious circle.
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Goodbye you liar,
Well you sipped from the cup but you don't own up to anything
Then you think you will inspire
Take apart your head
(and I wish I could inspire)
Take apart your demons, then you add it to the list.

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Postby Henrietta » 6/15/2005, 12:53 pm

Nice Alex. It's so true, and I never thought of it that way. When we were on our cruise in the spring we were looking at the guys, and they are allowed to varied. They're allowed to have little tummies and flabby arms. But women must fit a certain mold. When, if you look closely, it's really womens' bodies that have the most natural variation.

I disagree. I can't tell you how many times I've heard guys (that I was with, or just standing near enough to hear) criticize some poor girl across the room or on TV cos she's too fat or whatever (and a lot of times she's not), but I've almost never heard girls do the same.
I second that. My first week at BYU I was watching tv with two guys. It was one of those Blockbuster commercials and a woman stood up and her arms were shaking. The guy commented on how disgusting she was. I got up and walked out of the room I was so pissed. I have never heard of comments like that from girls. When people talk about men that are anorexic, it is miniscule compared to women, they just have to get that jab in their so it's not their fault.
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Postby Rusty » 6/15/2005, 5:34 pm

Wow, that was very well done. I'm impressed. There is a stereotype for everyone nowadays. But really, girls get it the worst. It's sick the way people are portrayed, but society/the media tells us that we must all fit this "perfect" image. Girls must be skinny etc, while guys must be buff and "manly". Personally I feel the media is bullshit and I hate the way it portrays people, and the messages it sends. I also dislike the way guys talk about some girls they see, but on the other hand I seem to the be the only one here who has heard girls talk about other girls. I also find that girls tend to be a lot harsher when they do say something, but they also make comments about guys as well.

Queens Of The Stone Age-Someone's In The Wolf

Once you're lost in twillights's blue
You don't find your way, the way finds you...

Tempt the fates, beware the smile
It hides all the teeth, my dear,
What's behind them...

So glad you could stay
Forever

He steps between the trees, a crooked man
There's blood on the blade
Don't take his hand

You warm by the firelight, in twilight's blue
Shadows creep & dance the walls
He's creeping too..

So glad you could stay
Forever


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Postby Henrietta » 6/15/2005, 6:08 pm

Guys don't even have to be buff to be accepted. They can be cute skinny nerds...there are a whole ton of kinds of guys who are "attractive".
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Postby Rusty » 6/15/2005, 6:18 pm

Well to me there are many types of girls who are attractive. Stereotypically speaking however, guys should be buff, but that stereotype doesn't catch on as much for some reason.

Queens Of The Stone Age-Someone's In The Wolf

Once you're lost in twillights's blue
You don't find your way, the way finds you...

Tempt the fates, beware the smile
It hides all the teeth, my dear,
What's behind them...

So glad you could stay
Forever

He steps between the trees, a crooked man
There's blood on the blade
Don't take his hand

You warm by the firelight, in twilight's blue
Shadows creep & dance the walls
He's creeping too..

So glad you could stay
Forever


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Postby nikki4982 » 6/15/2005, 10:11 pm

Yeah but Rusty, look at (for one of many many examples) television. Look at any hit sitcom on TV. Probably 90% of them are big, funny guy with skinny perfect looking wife. Look at commercials. Normal looking guys partying with skinny perfect women.

The only time an average/bigger woman is usually on TV is as the "funny lead female character's sidekick with attitude". And she's usually single.

TV is such a big part of society that we can't escape these images of the "perfect woman".
<table><tr><td>~ Nikki Edwards
Queen of the Harpies <img src="../phpBB2/files/queen_of_harpies.gif" align="texttop">
</td><td><font color="orange">President of the Pookie Brigade</font>
"If you put those on the internet, I'll kill you guys!" - Jer</td></tr></table>
<center><img src="../phpBB2/files/squiggle.gif">

<font color="#3C8C8B">Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us,
above us only sky, imagine all the people, <font color="#FFFFFF">living</font> for today...</font>

<font color="#50B4B3">Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die
for, no religion too, imagine all the people, living <font color="#FFFFFF">life</font> in peace...</font>

<font color="#89CDCC">Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or <font color="#FFFFFF">hunger</font>,
a brotherhood of man, imagine all the people, sharing all the <font color="#FFFFFF">world</font>...</font>

<font color="#B1DFDE">You may say I'm a <font color="#FFFFFF">dreamer</font>, but I'm not the only one, I hope
some day you'll join us, and the world will <font color="#FFFFFF">live</font> as one.</font></center></font>
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Postby Henrietta » 6/16/2005, 12:18 am

That reminds me of The King of Queens :lol:
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Postby Bandalero » 6/16/2005, 1:02 am

Jesus Christ, that was one hell of a good read, it put all my angry rants to shame. 8O where did it come from?

as we all know, women are in competition with each other. you see women are also partly to blame. :nod:

yeah, i've recently graduated from the semi-athletic good looking guy, to the big good looking guy.

i'm gonna miss my semi-athletic looking ways. :no:
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
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Postby nikki4982 » 6/16/2005, 3:04 am

Cass wrote:That reminds me of The King of Queens :lol:

... and Everybody Loves Raymond... and Still Standing... and Listen Up... and I could go on, but I won't.
<table><tr><td>~ Nikki Edwards
Queen of the Harpies <img src="../phpBB2/files/queen_of_harpies.gif" align="texttop">
</td><td><font color="orange">President of the Pookie Brigade</font>
"If you put those on the internet, I'll kill you guys!" - Jer</td></tr></table>
<center><img src="../phpBB2/files/squiggle.gif">

<font color="#3C8C8B">Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try, no hell below us,
above us only sky, imagine all the people, <font color="#FFFFFF">living</font> for today...</font>

<font color="#50B4B3">Imagine there's no countries, it isn't hard to do, nothing to kill or die
for, no religion too, imagine all the people, living <font color="#FFFFFF">life</font> in peace...</font>

<font color="#89CDCC">Imagine no possesions, I wonder if you can, no need for greed or <font color="#FFFFFF">hunger</font>,
a brotherhood of man, imagine all the people, sharing all the <font color="#FFFFFF">world</font>...</font>

<font color="#B1DFDE">You may say I'm a <font color="#FFFFFF">dreamer</font>, but I'm not the only one, I hope
some day you'll join us, and the world will <font color="#FFFFFF">live</font> as one.</font></center></font>
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Postby happening fish » 6/16/2005, 10:01 am

Wow, I didn't expect anyone to actually read all of that :lol: Thanks guys!

Bandalero wrote:where did it come from?


It's an essay I wrote this past term for my Sexual Ethics class. That course made me think so hard about so many things... it was incredible.

The more you think about extreme thinness as paying penance for trying to achieve something in life as a woman (eating disorders are rampant among high-income, high-education women) the more the things you observe around you make sense.
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Postby Henrietta » 6/16/2005, 11:51 am

I know SO MANY girls with eating disorders. I would say half of my close friends, and many classmates. At least 10 I KNOW of. And one boy.
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Postby beautiful liar » 6/16/2005, 12:30 pm

wow. that was potent alex. well done.

"Indeed, in this era of supposed liberation and equality for women, the messages we receive continuously from the media deal unashamedly with perpetuating and promoting female subjugation. They encourage women to be silent, they emphasize female sexual passivity, and they glamorize violence (Simon 43-45). Closed mouths, abused bodies: women under control. "
...what an absolutely haunting, and yet shockingly accurate depiction of the oft overlooked continuation of female repression through societal perspective. I know too many people who've endured violence without a sound simply becuase they felt it was expected of them. They feel that because they aren't 'beautiful' (and they always are) that they should retain whichever man will stay with them, even if it results in brutality.

i am reminded of a jello biafra speech entitled 'Hellburbia'
"...meanwhile girls are beaten down and kept in line by school, media, and parents alike. No matter who are what you are you're fat, you're ugly, you're inadequate. Your butt is too small your breasts are too big, Your breasts are too small, your butt is too big. Worse yet, your brain is too big. And if you aren't as thin and perfect as the plastic beautiful few, there must be something horribly wrong with you. So buy this, and buy this, and buy this..."

Not only does media constantly bombard everyone with these distorted images of what we should be, it's a huge cash cow, a sadistic industry based on the compliance of females to stereotypical body images.

I find that women can be harsher than men in their criticism of other women. But talking to a male friend, I quickly discovered that being overt about attraction to any body type except the idealized ones is quickly ridiculed, and even villanized. Why? Why does it matter who you find beautiful? Attraction to a proportionate woman should not be seen as sexual perversity. Same goes for females though. Everyone is looking for that beautiful mate. I know people have poked fun at me for liking boys who dont quite fit their image of what's hot.
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Postby Bandalero » 6/17/2005, 12:07 am

happeningfish wrote:
Bandalero wrote:where did it come from?


It's an essay I wrote this past term for my Sexual Ethics class. That course made me think so hard about so many things... it was incredible.


it's just fucking incredable. seriously, if i get to senile to write my own speeches in my political career, i'm so hiring you to write my speeches. :love:
Whenever death may surprise us,
let it be welcome
if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear
and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.


Nobody's gonna miss me, no tears will fall, no ones gonna weap, when i hit that road.
my boots are broken my brain is sore, fer keepin' up with thier little world, i got a heavy load.
gonna leave 'em all just like before, i'm big city bound, your always 17 in your hometown
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Postby happening fish » 6/17/2005, 12:09 am

Heh, thanks Reno. That one didn't even get a perfect mark! The one about porn did, though....
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Postby Waiting to Exist » 6/17/2005, 12:14 am

That's probably some sort of Freudian clue about either you or your teacher.
I just wanna get out,
Stuck inside of this.
Waiting for something else,
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