Essay
Plan of Action
Question
- To what extent do the pressures of a Western Society influence
women to modify their appearance?
Introduction
This
essay aims to question the idea of expectations within Western
society and the psychological effect of this presence, particularly
on women, to modify their own appearance.
The
Patriarchal views of society pressurise women to be aesthetically
beautiful.
Gender roles – women seen as inferior.
Ways of Seeing – John Berger, Men –
Power, Women – Aesthetics.
Male gaze – Laura Mulvey, Film &
TV, Porn – Caitlin Moran.
Terminology used in advertising etc.
Putting on a persona – make up.
The
'perfect body' does not exist, therefore trying to obtain this is
impossible and unrealistic. People are constantly striving for
something that is simply unattainable.
Vicious cycle.
Reshaping the female body, the dilemma
of cosmetic surgery – Kathy Davis.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Consumerism and portrayals of women in
advertising.
Public face – the norms within
society. What is acceptable?
Celebrity
Idols and role models encourage women to put on a persona, on-line
presence – promotes a fake idea of reality through filtering
content of a person's life. Edited versions of themselves – what
is real?
Social media generation – obsession.
Advertising – Photoshopping models.
Representing women, myths of femininity
in popular media – Myra MacDonald.
Celebrity influence on normal people.
On-line persona – personal identity.
Models & Fashion Illustration –
size.
Modification
of a woman's appearance can be a demonstration of female expression,
artistry and empowerment. Not in face a persona, but an extension of
personality.
How to be a Woman – Caitlin Moran.
Campaigns, e.g. HeForShe – Feminism.
Definitions – appearance shouldn't
define a person.
Solution – Social fluidity of
appearance, make up, fashion, etc.
Equality of the sexes.
Choice.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, there is evidently a magnitude of social factors that
filter in to our society and therefore a woman's subconscious which
may cause her to think about her appearance in a negative way. The
problem has filtered down from the Media; magazines, film and TV,
products and advertising agencies themselves. Although they have
certainly encouraged particular ideologies of people needing a
product to look beautiful/young, the real issue is with the result of
having acceptable 'norms' within society and putting people, who are
complex beings, in boxes. Therefore, the solution would be not to
discourage women from changing/enhancing their appearance but to make
it acceptable for the whole of society (men included) to decide on
their own modification of their appearance freely, without judgement.
