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December 10, 2002 ~ Body Image
Tuesday.
Juliana is doing a survey for her women's studies class. These are my answers.
1. In a few short phrases, how do you feel about your body?
I feel absolutely fine about my body. I am healthy. While by no means do I think I come close to looking gorgeous in any typical modern sense, I think I'm pretty in my own way. I suppose, by American social standards, my body is not ideal--I have a somewhat flabby tummy, not so slim thighs and hips, a nose a little too big for my face, still a bit of acne--but I couldn't care less. I don't put any weight on what others think of my appearance, and I don't make any effort to conform my appearance to what others expect. I don't wear make up, I don't shave, and I wear clothing that I like, not what is fashionable. While other people sometimes insult me about these things--especially about the fact that I don't shave--I like the natural look of my body and don't feel inclined to change it. I think that my hairy legs and somewhat flabby tummy are just fine, thank you very much. Make-up made me feel uncomfortable and dishonest back when I used to wear it. The only time that I can remember feeling insecure about my body was concerning my really bad acne during puberty.
2. Do you believe that this feeling was in any way affected by mass media, particularly advertising?
I think that my rejection of advertising helped me to be happy with my body and reject things like extreme thinness, make-up, shaving, et cetera. I don't watch TV at all, I rarely read magazines with advertisements, and I avoid advertising-heavy websites. Of course, it's impossible to breath in our culture without coming into contact with some advertising, but, ever since I stopped watching television, I've noticed that when I do see advertising, I tend to question it, pick it apart, reject it a lot more. I think that advertising gives our culture a rather skewed perspective of what is normal. (Adbusters!)
3. Have you ever had (or do you currently have) an eating disorder? How do you feel about food in general?
I have never had an eating disorder. I have never even dieted. I'm vegan, but not for health or dieting reasons, only for environmental and animal rights reasons. I love food. I love cooking and baking. I eat balanced and healthfully, but I don't limit my intake of foods and treats that I love.
4. Do you believe that young men and women are negatively or positively affected by advertising? (Alternately, do you think they are affected *at all*?)
Yes. Absolutely. Negatively. Advertising makes people feel insufficient, needful of things--that's what advertisements are meant to do. Of course something that makes one feel lacking in some way is going to have a negative influence on that person. I also think that the body types of most actors, actresses, and models are completely unrealistic and unattainable for most people.
5. Flipping through fashion magazines (or men's magazines), what are some of your initial thoughts about the men and women in the ads?
I avoid those magazines like the plague. But, when I do see one... Fake. Artificial. Unnatural. Insincere.
Juliana's looking for answers from both men and women, so, if you have a moment, let her know what you think. (Yes, I've broken down and signed up for a live journal account, though I don't write there at all--Li wanted me to be able to read her protected entries. You can comment without an account, though, or email her.)
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