An Analysis Of Women's Identity Shaped By The Social Standard Of Femininity

In modern society, women’s identity is shaped by the social standard of femininity. Through exploring the portrayal of femininity in different time periods and cultures, this paper discusses how identities are historically and culturally contingent. However, despite the historical and cultural differences, society’s ideal of femininity has forced women into the frame of perfection, creating the sense of internal surveillance. This self-disciplinary effect can be related to Foucault’s theory of panopticism. This essay also argues that society’s portrayal of women has resulted huge amount of negative consequences that should raise social concerns. Furthermore, it outlines two ways to minimise the negative impacts, including women should be encouraged

Though there are significant shifts in representation of women, influenced by cultural differences and historical perspectives, the enormous influence of media portrayals of these ideals have always defined the trend of what women should look like. Slenderness is often praised as the “perfect body shape”. It is commonly related to the positive attribute of a healthy body, making it the “right” thing to do. Being skinny becomes what every woman pursues. However, despite the historical and cultural differences, social beliefs of “femininity” has forced women to fit in the mold of perfection, creating the sense of internal surveillance. With the desire to conform to the beauty standards, women are thus self-pressured to discipline, control and correct their bodies. This self-policing effect can be related to Foucault’s theory of panopticism. Body dissatisfactions result negative consequences on women internally and externally. It also leads to severe issues that should raise society’s concern. Furthermore, there are namely two ways suggested to minimise the negative impacts, including women should be encouraged to realise that media portrayals of ideal figures are simply photoshopped images, as well as women should be largely exposed to feminists ideas to empower inner self-confidence. However, it should not be denied that the counter effect of this normalization also helps encourage healthy livings in society. Nevertheless, “health” should not be perceived as a particular body