http://www.digtriad.com/news/watercooler/article/293994/176/Expert-Thigh-Gap-Becoming-Teen-Obsession
In class we talked about how there is a constant 'head-butting' between ideas of the sexualized woman and the homemaker. We mostly focused on a woman's breasts, but what about other body parts? The article I want to bring to the classes attention is one on the thigh gap fad. Western society seems to keep creating new ways for women to alter themselves to gain attention. This attention does not have to be sexual in nature. Instead, many women may adhere to these fads so that they seem 'current.' They are women who are hard working, AND still follow to what is patriarchally wanted. Sadly, these fads help in the ever increasing problem of eating disorders. I am a feminist that views eating disorders as a large indicator in the growth of insidious ideas that kill. By not looking at the root social cause of eating disorders (in my opinion patriarchal systems) these disorders will keep multiplying.
Does anyone else feel that diet fads, or specific clothing fads wear on feminist movements? Am I just scapegoating a larger problem with mental health systems onto patriarchal ideals?
It's scary how terrible women's body images are becoming. So, now on top of needing to be thin but still have large breasts and butts, we have to worry about making our thighs not touch? I know for a fact, my thighs have been touching since I was like 9 and that my thighs will touch until the day I die. It is already so difficult to try to be a weight that is considered attractive. I'm scared of what is next to be deemed unattractive.
ReplyDeleteDon't even get me started on the thigh gap issue. Just as Kirsten was saying, we already have to worry about having the perfect 36-24-36 body. Now let's add a thigh gap to it? I read a Buzzfeed article on the things that Pinterest has gotten us obsessed with, and that is the thigh gap! To answer your question, I think it is an assumed patriarchal ideal if that makes sense? We see photos of women on Pinterest, in magazines, etc. all with these totally in-shape, thigh-gapped bodies! Because of it, we assume that us girls without a thigh-gap are the "other" and that girls without the thigh gap represent the social norm in our society. The thing is, most women do not have a thigh gap, 36" breasts, and wear a size 0. I think are society shapes us to believe that if we do not have those characteristics, we are the deviants.
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