Strong woman or pretty girl? Exploring the female body politic

Graduation Date

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Sociology, 2000

Committee Chair Name

June Leahy

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Sociology, Body image in women, Feminine beauty (Aesthetics), Women in advertising

Abstract

Females are exposed to conflicting and confusing messages that they should be thin but strong, firm but shapely, fit but sexy. Although they are exposed to images of powerful women, such as scholars and athletes, they cannot escape images of fashion models whose idealized body shape can rarely be matched by other women. Girls and women strive to mold their bodies in these idealized shapes by depriving themselves of nourishment necessary for good health. Despite highly publicized advertisements and health culture campaigns that emphasize the benefits of healthy bodies, there are cultural messages that promote the "beauty myth." The "beauty myth" promotes, among other phenomena, the idea that female bodies can be whatever women want them to be.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/fq977x024

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