This chapter was very intriguing to me. What I’d like to do is take some of the main ideas and quotes that were presented, and analyze them individually.
The first idea that was presented was about the beauty ideal. This was expressed as when women grow up, they see images of what the ideal body type is for females. This in turn influences how they view themselves, and molds their actions and beliefs. However, these images do not take into account what the body is for, and how it transforms as we go through our life experiences.
Personally, I know that I have been influenced by this ideal that the media and such portrays. It influences my actions, what I do in my free time, what I wear, how I style my hair, and how I put on my make-up in the morning. I personally will not go out in public without make up on, and I hardly ever wear shorts or a bathing suit. And while I know that I am not very overweight, or that disgusting without make up, this beauty ideal has surely created individual insecurities in my personal life.
However, on the other hand, I do not believe that the “beauty ideal” is truly ideal. My body and clothes reflect me on a daily basis. I am always outside, in the mud, working with tools, and lifting heavy materials. I do not want to be super skinny because if I was, I would not be able to carry out my daily activities. My body needs to be able to lift and move ladders, endure heavy labor for ten hours a day, and be able to protect myself against things and people that can cause harm to me. I stand my own ground.
The second point dealt with the beauty business. The beauty business is a multi-billion-dollar industry that tries to tell people how they should look, and provide them with the methods to achieve the desired result. But many of the methods and products that they put forth actually do not work, or they do not give the results that they say they will
Let’s examine diet pills. They say that they will help you lose so much weight within a certain amount of time. However, many of them do not work at all. I use to know quite a few girls who tried them and were not successful. Personally, I use to take them, and I lost around 5-10 pounds in two months. But it really isn’t known if that was due to the exercise or the food I was taking in. In addition is make-up. You see these great commercials on television showing you that their product will produce flawless looking skin, great eyelashes, or reduce wrinkles. After trying many of these products though, those results can only be obtained by a relative few. Many of the models that are shown in the ads have been airbrushed to look more flawless as well. And why does it take make-up to obtain the “natural look”? Why can’t the natural look just be natural? It’s because most women who are natural do not live up to the beauty ideal of the “natural look”.
The third idea was commodification and co-option. The main point of this section is that “the body is considered inferior to the mind.” Therefore, the body is the main objection in life, which then causes it to be broken down into different commodities and individual pieces. Our bodies then are not seen as a whole, but as single parts of a puzzle.
I believe that many women do not want to be seen as just a body, however many guys believe that this is all that women are. I personally want to be seen for my intellect, my personality, my experiences, my goals and ambitions, my ideas, thoughts, opinions; everything except for my looks. Over my lifetime I have worked very hard to get to where I am at today. Numerous all nighters, immense amounts of studying, devoting my life to school and extra-curricular activities, and experiences my different options in life. I am not just a “piece of ass” or a “pair of tits” as some guys think. I am like an onion, with multiple layers that should be explored. My appearance is only the outer layer that gets ripped off and discarded. It is the underlying layers that are what is really desired.
Lastly, the final idea was “Whites Only? Forever Young? Always Able?” Here the chapter talks about how being White, young, and able is more desirable than being non-White, old, and disabled. However, many non-whites are more secure with their bodies, and older peoples are able to see their lives in a clearer perspective than they did when they were young. Lastly, becoming old is inevitable, and many people consider being old a disability due to things such as lack of sight, hearing, coordination, independence, etc. And therefore, as we age, we become disable, all of which is bound to happen eventually.
I believe that since most of the images seen in the media are typically of white women, that this could be why non-whites are more comfortable with their bodies; for they do not associate themselves with the images as much. Also, many older people do not see themselves as being disabled, and instead, it is only the younger generations that believe this. I will admit, I sometimes get irritated with older people driving when they do not keep up with the pace of traffic. However, it is true that they are just as capable as I am of many daily activities. To assume they are disabled just because of their age is naïve.
Monday, March 9, 2009
He Works, She Works, But What Different Impressions They Make
I found this section very amusing. The way it was broken down to a black and white comparison was a very strong way to present the concept. The main idea was that men are determined, busy, important, dedicated, and intelligent. On the other hand women are pushy, flaky, dispensable, and impulsive.
Another stereotype that wasn’t really addressed is how it is believed that in general, women can’t be successful in a male dominated field such as construction. I run a house painting company and it was amazing how surprised many male contractors were when they found out. But over time they figured out that I knew what I was doing, but the fact that I am a “tom boy” and not a typical girl probably helped as well. Eventually they were giving me advice and support so that I could do my job better, and many of them are my friends not.
Not only were male contractors skeptical, but many of my clients were at first as well. It took me having a lot of product knowledge and convincing to ease their minds and to prove to them that I was capable.
It is very difficult to be a woman in a man’s field. Determination, understanding, patience, and aggressiveness are key traits needed to make it. However, I feel that the women that are successful are so much stronger for it, and that if you put your mind to it, it can be achieved.
Another stereotype that wasn’t really addressed is how it is believed that in general, women can’t be successful in a male dominated field such as construction. I run a house painting company and it was amazing how surprised many male contractors were when they found out. But over time they figured out that I knew what I was doing, but the fact that I am a “tom boy” and not a typical girl probably helped as well. Eventually they were giving me advice and support so that I could do my job better, and many of them are my friends not.
Not only were male contractors skeptical, but many of my clients were at first as well. It took me having a lot of product knowledge and convincing to ease their minds and to prove to them that I was capable.
It is very difficult to be a woman in a man’s field. Determination, understanding, patience, and aggressiveness are key traits needed to make it. However, I feel that the women that are successful are so much stronger for it, and that if you put your mind to it, it can be achieved.
The Cleaning Woman/Labor Relations #4
This poem really hit me in the gut. It reminded me of how little people are appreciated unless they do something amazing and noticeable. However, I’m sure if the cleaning lady had decided to just not show up and quit without two week’s notice, the woman doctor would have noticed and been very irritated. The doctor did not value the cleaning woman and what she did for the clinic.
Personally, I run my own business, and last summer I was so excited because I had six employees hired. But I took them for granted, not appreciating what they did for me. Eventually all but one left me, and I was stuck and forced to do their jobs as well as my own, and I hated it at first. It cause me to have a very rough summer, trying to replace them as well as get everything else done. I took them for granted, like in the poem, when I should have appreciated them and what they did for me.
This concept of taking advantage of people can be seen on a global level as well. Think of all of the third world countries that make the products that we use every day. Or the farmers that provide us with food, the bus driver that gets you to class on time, or the garbage man. All of these people work to make our lives easier, however many people see them as worthess or disposable, but are they really? The answer is no. Each individual plays an important part in the efficiency of our lives and culture, and without them, chaos would be a sure thing.
I believe this passage also displays the effects of power. The woman doctor was the boss of the cleaning woman, and because of this, she held the power. She had the ability to make choices and sacrifices, and choose whom to tell them to. Because no one was above her on the power pole, she had no pressure or anyone to keep her power in check. She was irresponsible and impassionate towards those that were way below her stature. This theme is displayed all over from those with power as previously discussed, and many times the power is not held in balance. It is a shame that power can be abused in a way that hurts and discourages others.
Personally, I run my own business, and last summer I was so excited because I had six employees hired. But I took them for granted, not appreciating what they did for me. Eventually all but one left me, and I was stuck and forced to do their jobs as well as my own, and I hated it at first. It cause me to have a very rough summer, trying to replace them as well as get everything else done. I took them for granted, like in the poem, when I should have appreciated them and what they did for me.
This concept of taking advantage of people can be seen on a global level as well. Think of all of the third world countries that make the products that we use every day. Or the farmers that provide us with food, the bus driver that gets you to class on time, or the garbage man. All of these people work to make our lives easier, however many people see them as worthess or disposable, but are they really? The answer is no. Each individual plays an important part in the efficiency of our lives and culture, and without them, chaos would be a sure thing.
I believe this passage also displays the effects of power. The woman doctor was the boss of the cleaning woman, and because of this, she held the power. She had the ability to make choices and sacrifices, and choose whom to tell them to. Because no one was above her on the power pole, she had no pressure or anyone to keep her power in check. She was irresponsible and impassionate towards those that were way below her stature. This theme is displayed all over from those with power as previously discussed, and many times the power is not held in balance. It is a shame that power can be abused in a way that hurts and discourages others.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Facilitation: Chapter 3: Women's Bodies and Beauty Ideals
Facilitation: Chapter 3: Women’s Bodies and Beauty Ideals,” Women’s Lives: Multicultural Perspective, New York: McGraw Hill, 2007, 121-132.
Key words:
Gender-bending, objectification, commodification, racist, ageist, ableist, standards, ideal, “perfect”,
Key quotes:
“The dominant culture often reduces women to bodies, valuing us only as sex objects or as bearers of children.”
“Empty shells”
“How we feel about our bodies is thus also profoundly cultural and political.”
“Changing their appearance in gender-bending ways.”
“Ideal woman…she is young and tall with long legs, small breasts and hips, smooth skin and well-groomed hair…trim, toned, and very lean.”
“450 full-time American fashion models who constitute the elite corps [are] deployed in a way that keeps 150 million women in line.”
“Our bodies reflect our lives.”
“Body dissatisfaction in the United States is increasing at a faster rate than ever before especially among
younger women.”
“Letting herself go rather than making the best of herself.”
“The separation of body and mind as a fundamental element of Western thought, where the body is considered inferior to the mind.”
“Only a handful of women have the Natural Look naturally.”
“Aging is disabling…we are all disabled eventually.”
FEAR- False Evidence Appearing Real
“Many people with disabilities argue that they are more handicapped by the mental limitations of nondisabled people than by their own minds and bodies.”
Main Ideas:
1. The Beauty Ideal: As women grow up, they see images of what the ideal body type is for females. This in turn influences how they view themselves, and molds their actions and beliefs. However, these images do not take into account what the body is for, and how it transforms as we go through our life experiences.
2. The Beauty Business: The beauty business is a multi-billion-dollar industry that tries to tell people how they should look, and provide them with the methods to achieve the desired result. But many of the methods and products that they put forth actually do not work, or they do not give the results that they say they will
3. Commodification and Co-option: The main point of this section is that “the body is considered inferior to the mind.” Therefore, the body is the main objection in life, which then causes it to be broken down into different commodities and individual pieces. Our bodies then are not seen as a whole, but as single parts of a puzzle.
4. Whites Only? Forever Young? Always Able?: Here the chapter talks about how being White, young, and able is more desirable than being non-White, old, and disabled. However, many non-whites are more secure with their bodies, and older peoples are able to see their lives in a clearer perspective than they did when they were young. Lastly, becoming old is inevitable, and many people consider being old a disability due to things such as lack of sight, hearing, coordination, independence, etc. And therefore, as we age, we become disable, all of which is bound to happen eventually.
Questions:
1. What can we do as a population to change the perspectives of the ideal body image.
2. How has this ideal body image impacted you personally.
3. Is this truly the image that all girls want to be when they grow up?
4. How has this image affected your meso perspective of yourself?
5. Girls are receiving breast augmentations as high school graduation gifts.
a. Do you believe this is right?
b. If so, why. If not, why not?
c. What does this say about society’s images that it portrays about the “perfect woman?”
6. If our bodies display our lives as a whole, including our past, should we really want to alter it with surgery?
Key words:
Gender-bending, objectification, commodification, racist, ageist, ableist, standards, ideal, “perfect”,
Key quotes:
“The dominant culture often reduces women to bodies, valuing us only as sex objects or as bearers of children.”
“Empty shells”
“How we feel about our bodies is thus also profoundly cultural and political.”
“Changing their appearance in gender-bending ways.”
“Ideal woman…she is young and tall with long legs, small breasts and hips, smooth skin and well-groomed hair…trim, toned, and very lean.”
“450 full-time American fashion models who constitute the elite corps [are] deployed in a way that keeps 150 million women in line.”
“Our bodies reflect our lives.”
“Body dissatisfaction in the United States is increasing at a faster rate than ever before especially among
younger women.”
“Letting herself go rather than making the best of herself.”
“The separation of body and mind as a fundamental element of Western thought, where the body is considered inferior to the mind.”
“Only a handful of women have the Natural Look naturally.”
“Aging is disabling…we are all disabled eventually.”
FEAR- False Evidence Appearing Real
“Many people with disabilities argue that they are more handicapped by the mental limitations of nondisabled people than by their own minds and bodies.”
Main Ideas:
1. The Beauty Ideal: As women grow up, they see images of what the ideal body type is for females. This in turn influences how they view themselves, and molds their actions and beliefs. However, these images do not take into account what the body is for, and how it transforms as we go through our life experiences.
2. The Beauty Business: The beauty business is a multi-billion-dollar industry that tries to tell people how they should look, and provide them with the methods to achieve the desired result. But many of the methods and products that they put forth actually do not work, or they do not give the results that they say they will
3. Commodification and Co-option: The main point of this section is that “the body is considered inferior to the mind.” Therefore, the body is the main objection in life, which then causes it to be broken down into different commodities and individual pieces. Our bodies then are not seen as a whole, but as single parts of a puzzle.
4. Whites Only? Forever Young? Always Able?: Here the chapter talks about how being White, young, and able is more desirable than being non-White, old, and disabled. However, many non-whites are more secure with their bodies, and older peoples are able to see their lives in a clearer perspective than they did when they were young. Lastly, becoming old is inevitable, and many people consider being old a disability due to things such as lack of sight, hearing, coordination, independence, etc. And therefore, as we age, we become disable, all of which is bound to happen eventually.
Questions:
1. What can we do as a population to change the perspectives of the ideal body image.
2. How has this ideal body image impacted you personally.
3. Is this truly the image that all girls want to be when they grow up?
4. How has this image affected your meso perspective of yourself?
5. Girls are receiving breast augmentations as high school graduation gifts.
a. Do you believe this is right?
b. If so, why. If not, why not?
c. What does this say about society’s images that it portrays about the “perfect woman?”
6. If our bodies display our lives as a whole, including our past, should we really want to alter it with surgery?
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