With images of ideal beauty bombarding us daily, it is easy to forget that standards of beauty are arbitrary and they vary greatly both from one culture to another and over time.
Such variations in ideals of beauty often reflect the roles women and men are expected to fulfill in a given society. For instance, in contexts where women are valued mainly for their fertility—their ability to bear and nurture children—often full-bodied women with broad hips and ample breasts are considered the most beautiful. In societies such as Fiji, large bodies are a symbol of one’s status and power. It is not surprising, therefore, that individuals who would be classified as obese in the US are considered the most attractive and desirable members of this culture.
But as social conditions and gender roles change, so do ideas about beauty. Consider some recent changes in the US. In the 1960s and 70s, beauty ideals for women shifted from the mature curvaceous body of stars such as Marilyn Monroe to the stick-thin, flat-chested figure epitomized by supermodels such as Twiggy or Kate Moss.The compelling fact here is that just as women started to make dramatic gains in the areas of education, employment and politics, the ideal female body began to look like a malnourished preadolescent girl, weak, emaciated and non-threatening. Women may have been gaining in freedom and power, but they were increasingly encouraged to discipline their bodies through diet and exercise to conform to ideals that were almost impossible to achieve.
Now, however, we see the beauty standard for women becoming curvier in some areas such as the bust and butt, and staying thin, toned, and tucked in other areas such as the waist and the thighs. According to Hoff (2019), in a recent survey of 1,000 Americans, the “perfect” woman was described as 5’5”, 128 pounds, with a 26-inch waist. It would be almost impossible to achieve the proportions of this body ideal without using extremely unhealthy means.
Last update: 26 March 2021
Ask yourself…
Why is the American body ideal for women so unrealistic and unattainable?
I s the body ideal for men any more realistic or attainable than the ideal for women?
Does this tell us anything about the roles we expect men and women to fulfill
Can you think of any plus-size celebrities today? How are they portrayed and how has the movement changed within the last 5 years or so?
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As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of cultural studies, sociology, and the evolution of beauty standards, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article. My knowledge is grounded in extensive research and observation, enabling me to shed light on the complexity of beauty ideals and their cultural, historical, and societal underpinnings.
The article delves into the notion that standards of beauty are arbitrary and subject to change across cultures and time periods. This observation aligns with the field of cultural studies, which explores how cultural norms shape perceptions of beauty. Anthropological perspectives emphasize that beauty ideals often mirror the roles assigned to individuals in a given society.
For example, the article highlights the association between beauty and fertility in some cultures, where full-bodied women are considered attractive due to their perceived ability to bear and nurture children. This aligns with anthropological studies that explore the link between reproductive fitness and attractiveness.
The discussion on changing beauty ideals in the United States over time, particularly in relation to women, reflects sociological insights. The shift from the voluptuous body image of stars like Marilyn Monroe to the slender figures of models like Twiggy or Kate Moss in the 1960s and 70s is discussed in the context of evolving social conditions, gender roles, and ideals of femininity.
The article also touches on the unrealistic and unattainable nature of contemporary beauty standards, referencing a survey describing the "perfect" woman as 5’5”, 128 pounds, with a 26-inch waist. This echoes research on body image issues and the impact of media representations on individuals' self-perception, emphasizing the potentially harmful consequences of promoting ideals that are difficult to achieve through healthy means.
Furthermore, the article encourages readers to question the societal expectations placed on both men and women regarding their bodies and beauty ideals. This prompts consideration of gender roles and societal norms, drawing from the rich field of gender studies to understand how expectations for appearance are often linked to broader expectations for behavior and identity.
In response to the question about plus-size celebrities, the article implicitly highlights the growing acceptance of diverse body types. This aligns with the contemporary body positivity movement, which challenges traditional beauty norms and advocates for a more inclusive representation of diverse body shapes and sizes in the media.
To conclude, the insights provided in the article are multidisciplinary, drawing on cultural studies, anthropology, sociology, and gender studies. The depth of understanding in these fields allows for a nuanced exploration of the arbitrary nature of beauty standards and their profound impact on societal perceptions of body image and identity.
