Size Matters
“Our bodies reflect not only Darwinian forces which impel us to reproduce, but cultural ones, and social ones, and these are the most brilliantly displayed in fashion.” (204)
This presents Nancy Etcoff’s view on our society’s obsession with staying in shape. It is such a powerful entity because it defies the forces of our own biology. Males’ natural instincts should be to procreate and to have many offspring. This is in order to pass on genetic information necessary in maintaining the species. This is not seen in today’s female fashion and more so their body image that they are attempting to portray. The idea of females looking slim portrays a decreased level of fertility. It seems to be counterintuitive going against human instinct until Etcoff balances it with other influences. One factor that she brings up for the increase in eating disorders and for the slim ideal is that it extends the life of the female and can play a role in maintaining population levels with her fertility. I find it difficult to believe that in the subconscious mind this plays a large factor while Etcoff denies the media in playing a major role. What I do believe is the fact the modern fashion, both in clothing and body type, when linked to the media, provide a framework of attraction. Males are attracted, as earlier stated in the article, to large, defined breast, symmetry in the body characteristics, and tall bodies with distinct curvatures. The modern fashion is responsible for providing a canvas where all of these attraction traits are flaunted.
This presents Nancy Etcoff’s view on our society’s obsession with staying in shape. It is such a powerful entity because it defies the forces of our own biology. Males’ natural instincts should be to procreate and to have many offspring. This is in order to pass on genetic information necessary in maintaining the species. This is not seen in today’s female fashion and more so their body image that they are attempting to portray. The idea of females looking slim portrays a decreased level of fertility. It seems to be counterintuitive going against human instinct until Etcoff balances it with other influences. One factor that she brings up for the increase in eating disorders and for the slim ideal is that it extends the life of the female and can play a role in maintaining population levels with her fertility. I find it difficult to believe that in the subconscious mind this plays a large factor while Etcoff denies the media in playing a major role. What I do believe is the fact the modern fashion, both in clothing and body type, when linked to the media, provide a framework of attraction. Males are attracted, as earlier stated in the article, to large, defined breast, symmetry in the body characteristics, and tall bodies with distinct curvatures. The modern fashion is responsible for providing a canvas where all of these attraction traits are flaunted.
posted by SCSU_student_1 at 11:39 AM
3 Comments:
I would half to agree with all that you have said, very well put. The fashion industries have monopolized our natural body attractions for the worse. Though it may seam to be the best hot look, it’s unhealthy and unnatural for our bodies. Media has cause this society to think more and more about what they need to were everyday of there life that I don’t know how people don’t get stressed out and/or depressed on a regular basis. Trying to look better than the next person in line is just crazy, but everyone is doing it. Every girl I see these days looks the same, the fake tan, the slim unfed body, the dyed hair, the coolest glasses, or the best makeup. I think the most beautiful woman in the world do none of these things. It’s a shame that a lot of people feel that they need to. Everyone needs to compete with each other, and it sucks.
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In agreeance with Mary Pipher, Ph.D. and xcountry41x, I too believe that television, rock videos and ads has a big impact on the body image of most women. Most women wish to be thin. Girls are taught at birth to be beautiful. As girls become teenagers, they began to imitate what they see. If beauty is advertised for women as thin, thin is what girls and women are going to try to be (thin).
The world should teach their children that beauty is not what a person looks like but it is how smart she is. A beautiful person to me is a person with intelligence.
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