The title of report: Female body positivity
Introduction: Body positivity, a topic that only the media cover, however do they reflect upon people or influence them? This report unfolds theories and studies linked to the female body, the analysis of similar products and what I will be undertaking to create my final piece. I have chosen this topic as it is the most controversial tie between the media and people from all backgrounds. The aim is to make awareness that it's okay to be who you are inside and out and to make people aware where it started from, how it affects people today.
90’s vs Present day on the female body in society and media
Briefly looking at beauty standards and how they evolved over 20-30 years ago linking to media and how celebrities were perceived. In the 1990’s the term “Heroin chic” where Kate moss was the name of the “ideal body type”, today this would be seen as completely unrealistic. Women went to extreme lengths to fit into theses labels by looking; waifish, very thin, frail and pale.
What does the media glamourize?
The media glamourized collar bones and ankle bones overall women had to look very slender and tall, in addition to that, the European standards also impacted the ideal face structure which was very pointed faces and sharp jawl
ines. The media also glamourized drugs and dieting.
“The rise and fall of heroin chic”
Surgery was not as popular back then, Women didn’t undergo other procedures to achieve this look instead most women would go on extreme dieting or take drugs and that lead to series of disorders and addictions Wikipedia stated “heroin had become more pure, and snorting became a more common mode of heroin use.[3] These changes decreased the stigma surrounding the drug, allowing heroin to find a new market among the middle-class and the wealthy, in contrast to its previous base of the poor and marginalized.” Meaning it was easily accessible in the 90’s this issue spiraled out of control to the point where there was a “drug culture”.
In 1993 Calvin Klein advertising for his perfume Obsession reached the headlines of the fashion and drug industry tie; models, grunge artists and young females and photographers started taking drugs. Francesca Sorrenti stated, “I remember the first time I was out in LA; a young lady came in and I said, ‘what’s up with you?’,” she says. “She started to cry. I told her I couldn’t shoot her; I called up her agency and asked the girl for her mother’s number. Her mother put her straight into rehab.” Francesca then realised that things had gone far, she started influencing young people to become clean and dedicated to this. Actress Jaime King, girlfriend at the time of a teenage Davide, was using heroin from as early as fourteen.
A prime example of how low the target audience drugs were reaching Francesca also said “Photographers who never did drugs in their life all of a suddenly started, to be down with the models. Agencies were hiring kids to be bookers, and they were doing drugs. It was crazy. It was a really weird time.” Eventually there was a fall, in 1997 Davide Sorrenti passed the media was in shock, although his death was not drug related it somehow ended the trend of heroin chic “I got letters from kids who said they were going to stop doing drugs because of Davide. They felt they were creative, and they were hurting, and that drugs were not the way to go.”
“By the late 20th century, the ideal of female beauty had already become increasingly thinner (Sypeck et al., 2004), and by the 1990s, women in popular media often met the criteria for anorexia nervosa” A study found that in the 90’s being ultra-thin was 15% below average weight however it wasn’t seen as a bag thing. The media still push on this narrative today meaning a lot has not changed, body positivity was not spoken on back then as much as it is now it was frowned upon and it was put in a light where women should be happy to be thin “In an age of unprecedented media consumption, the thin ideal is reinforced through women’s and girls’ increased interaction with appearance-based social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook (Mingoia et al., 2017).” This questions the ideology of do they reflect or influence even through social media platforms. It shows how European beauty standards have dominated society and has had a negative effect.
The insider article had a woman sharing her experience as a young girl and how the pressure of looking a certain way caused her to have health problems. "I was bigger, painfully aware of it, and just desperate to fit in," she told Insider. The woman started dieting at the age of 11. At 20, she was diagnosed with anorexia and now at 34 happy in her own skin, but she is worried that the trend could be returning. Scared, she remembers the Lengths she had to go to make herself more “appealing” it has been scientifically proven and everything is out there to confirm that to get to a particular body state.
As early as 2022, Kim Kardashian lost a lot of weight to fit in a dress Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962, they sent a replica for her to try on and unfortunately, she didn’t fit in it. Kim lost a whopping 16 pounds. Viewers realised she had lot a of weight, Kim Kardashian: the face of Brazilian Butt-Lift and no more? People were very confused, Kim has not confirmed for the removal of Brazilian Butt-Lift but the media speculates that because of the influence of her (former) partner Pete Davidson would prefer her having a smaller figure like Marilyn Monroe compared to when she was with (Ex-husband) West she had bigger curves. This poses a question to how portray themselves to others.
What is Apetamin syrup? The 21st century trend of dangerous curves in the UK
The rise of this trend started in 2019 “the weight gain syrup "promising for curves and bigger chest just like Kim Kardashian the face of this trend. In the UK influencers and models on social media platforms reviewed and promoted this product to an audience that is catered to young people. , The saddest part of it was that Women were influencing each other with, women got caught up in the trend they ended up overdosing, young people were not researching the side effects until it started happening to them. Many people were unaware that this drug was fake, it was sold by companies on Instagram, markets and even amazon this is known as an online trade. A BBC documentary featuring a criminologist stated that “lifestyle drugs have a very grey area and it becomes very difficult to police” she compared the sentencing for people who get caught with class A drugs and lifestyle drugs and not much is really done. “Apetamin, is vitamin syrup, a supplement with many nutritional and health benefits for fast gain weight” Apetamin comes from India and is this unlicensed in the UK and US but is this drug really beneficial? Apetamin was known as “gain weight the easy way” The truth is it comes with many negative effects such as drowsiness, tremors, irritability, blurred vision, nausea, diarrhea, joint pain, joint swelling, liver toxicity, and liver failure and in some case death. This can vary from long term to short term effects. But how does this drug work? It has a chemical called Cyproheptadine hydrochloride. This is scientifically proven to send signals to the brain for increasing appetite. Additionally, it promotes the release of growth hormone by inducing deep sleep (hence the extreme fatigue). Overall, it's damaging to internal organs and the brain, and in most cases is irreversible.
Music Influence
Another influence I came across was male music artists In today's culture songs objectify women's bodies to the point where they loose their own identity, people think about using them physically rather than respecting women for who they are. People refer women to "Hoes" because of the ideology they have created for them. Here is an example
I just wanna get her all aloneOn a mattressI just wanna have itI just gotta have itRumors all around say her body is fantasticAll natural girl, not a piece of her is plastic
- Rumours by Neffex
Is there a theory? What is the definition of objectification?
This theory comes from Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997 and it is called the objectification theory. Fredrickson et al 1997 outlines “that females are being treated as a body, viewed predominantly for its use by others, particularly for pleasure.” This can be sexual or any other personal attributes and this obviously leads to feeling humiliated and violated. “According to McKinley and Hyde 1996, body shame is defined as an emotion women may feel when one ‘s own body does not conform to internalized body ideals” meaning reflecting their insecurities unto others who feel like they do not have appealing physical features as the victim causing them to feel uncomfortable about themselves and this leads psychological disorders. This theory has been proved through trends and time periods.
Why & how do the media push this stereotype out? Is this distorting reality?
Media networks such as magazines, documentaries, social media, and modelling push out the idealism of objectification. It has been used in all social media aspects. After investigating this topic on several websites, I discovered a forum Quora discussing why media pushes women to be skinny. Some people said, “I don’t think it’s accurate that men don’t like “thin” women - I think it’s just trendy (right now) to be “curvy”, so we’re being bombarded with that message by the media, programming us to think that it’s what everyone wants/desires - believe me it’s not!” Although people don't take all information in from the media, and they have an opinion for themselves while some feel clustered with what the media tells them to do.
Media bias consists of the media using a narrative I.e., “the thinner the better” stimulating people to buy into the idea this through platforms. “We know that every woman wants to be thin. Our images of womanhood are almost synonymous with thinness.” This quote emphasizes that womanhood is damaged by what the media says. Another supporting article that said, “there is A new study suggests media images could make average bodies appear overweight.” This all stems from the psychological factors that have been told to us through media consistently with fashion models.
What are the Kibbe body types?
The kibbe body types were created by David Kibbe in 1987, the basis was yin and yang and “The goal of the kibbe body system is to help you narrow down your unique silhouette and to dress accordingly.” David was known to be one of the most influential doctors to research into body positivity in 20th.
David’s philosophy was appreciating the female natural body and the objection against body modification.
Yin and yang are traditionally known as masculine and feminine attributes. David claimed that Yin had soft facial features, an hourglass figure and had rounded shapes on the contrary, yang has sharper and stronger features. Yin and yang come together as a balance most people fall in-between the classic. If people fall only into Yin, it is an archetype See bibliography for definition and if people only fall into Yang are seen as more masculine.
Plastic surgery in Western culture vs Eastern
From past media outlets, the beauty standards have strongly been against women with the unrealistic changes from whats acceptable to unacceptable. This influences women to undergo dangerous lengths to alter their physical appearance in order to meet society's standards of beauty. Studies show that western beauty is considerably more attractive than other parts of the world, it is often in comparison with East Asian's petite pale look. "In the west there is also more of a focus on fitness, with women being expected to be skinny and toned, whereas in China the emphasis is really just on being thin." Studies also emphasise that the stereotype of Chinese women experience extreme pressure to fit the slim stereotype, and those who are considered "chubby" are viewed as being unattractive.
Conclusion
To conclude i have explored and researched sources that link to my topic, i.e the contextual history and theories. I have investigated the eras of the 90's following unto present day. Does the media reflect or create? I believe they do both from the studies and research i have looked at the media has been involved in both ways.
Appendices
why yes or no?
and why do you believe this?
10 responsesyou can either be skinny like models or be curvy and light skinned .. it is the general beauty standard that has impacted a lot of teensbig chest and hips are often sexualisedbecause it's the type of body that people think is health and prettyBecause the media puts out that a body of a female its like the put an image that the female have to be certain type to be beautifulits seen as beautiful to look like the standardsocial media pushes these narratives out that you have to be a certain size to fit inI believe this as a lot of celebrities have a type 4 body shape.While this is obviously a woman’s body type, it’s not the only one, there are so many big, small, curvy and not but this seems to be the ‘male’ standard of what a body type should look like from what I’ve seenOption 8 is a figure that every women wants to have. Big breasts, narrow waist and thick thighs give that "hour-glass" body shape and it is praised by many people as they are seen as attractive to men.It's the beauty standard
- and why do you believe this?
10 responsespeople pick on body types and say it’s a preference but it’s just a way to pick on young girls and put it in their heads that they have to look a certain way for people to like themblack women's bodies are also often fetished for the natural bigger hips and chest (not all bodies tho)because that's what shows in the mediabecause thats been whats been out on mediathe sexualisation of females basic anatomy is so normalised with men having a preference of body type before pursuing someoneto over sexualise peopleAs 7 can been viewed as one of the more wanted body shapes.8 - Because as I said it is what the male standard of what a body should look like so I feel it is the most fetashized.This type of body shape can be seen in a lot of anime movies and anime is known for sexualising female characters by making them have enormous boobs, narrow waist and wide hips. Option 4 is also fetishised by more of the Asian beauty standards and people in Asia puts a lot of effort into their looks as the general public are more judgmental towards young people and how they are dressed and look.It is the standard
Analysis
Primary & secondary research
My primary and secondary research I will be conducting surveys and analysing similar products to what I want to create. For my survey I have gathered the age group, topics that people would like to see and personal beliefs that ties in with the theories I have researched.
Survey / discussion
I created an interactive survey circulated as widely as possible to my target audience which were people who are biologically female. Questions were designed to get qualitative and quantitive answers, the survey method also supplies a visual mapping of my data.
From my survey I gathered that 60% of people are not comfortable in their own skin 40% were meaning body positivity definitely needs to be spoke upon. The main reason was people are self conscious about their own insecurities and they feel like others may judge compared to the media it doesn't shine any light into their "beauty standards".
The target audience was a controlled variable it reached people who were aged 17-20.
I also asked 10 people topics they would like to see in the magazine a couple stood out to me:
the effect your own appearance can have on your mental health
More awareness on diet pills on social media
ACTUALLY healthy ways to take care of your body
I wanted to delve into what the media has circulating around about "female bodies" and the responses were shocking, it shows that more and more people should be educated on normalising parts of who makes a female "a female"
All answers weren't anything out of the blue but it also poses a question of why do people ask this question when most women develop it at certain ages and it shouldn't be frowned upon, they were things that people don't understand the anatomy of.
I included this picture in my survey and asked what is glamourised in the media and what is pushed out & fetishised. 60% of people said option 8, 70% of people said option 4 is pushed out in the media, someone pointed out that people fetishised option 4 and 8 because of their big curves and race/ethnic background also plays a big part in this especially with black women. In total 40% said option 2, 6 & 7.
8 - Because as I said it is what the male standard of what a body should look like so I feel it is the most fetashized.
Another ethnic background that also suffers from body stereotypes is the asian community. They are sexualised due to smaller and petite body features
This type of body shape can be seen in a lot of anime movies and anime is known for sexualising female characters by making them have enormous boobs, narrow waist and wide hips. Option 4 is also fetishised by more of the Asian beauty standards and people in Asia puts a lot of effort into their looks as the general public are more judgmental towards young people and how they are dressed and look.
Products - After my research this has made me realise that a podcast would be one of the most strongest ways to link my topic and production together. As well as my graphical posters on pinterest that are more teen - young people based with the language used.
Research - My research has expanded my knowledge of female body types, kibbe body shapes something i didn't know was the "heroin chic" era and how that impacted society for almost 2 decades
Podcast analysis - The Lies told about body positivity
This podcast I watched included many different views and points which were very interesting to see unfold, the angles and positions of the podcast make me feel like I am with them the shots is a full body, and the set and props make it look like they are at home and the environment emphasises that its a comfortable space to talk about this issue to the audience.
Book analysis - Body image
Graphical poster analysis
FMP ADDITIONAL RESEARCH (see bibliography for references)
Lighting in photography
3 point photography is important for my photography piece i will be composing each type of lighting has a role. Key light is always facing the object/model at a 45 degree angle it can create shadows since the light is at an angle it creates shadows on the side of the face however things can be put in front of this light to achieve a softer shadow i.e a cloth.
- Red – energy, excitement, passion, anger.
- Orange – warmth, happiness, enthusiasm.
- Yellow – cheerfulness, friendliness, creativity.
- Green – calm, natural, balance, growth.
- Blue – serenity, cold, sadness, trust.
- Purple – spirituality, mystery, luxury.
- Magenta – innovation, transformation, non-conformity.
- source: expertphotography.com
Name: Ciara (right)
.png)
Scans of written research
No comments:
Post a Comment