How Do Young Women Make Sense of Beauty and Body Image?

This paper discusses the relationship between young females' reading of the portrayal of models and celebrities in advertising in everyday life and their interpretation of distorted images of female body shape, as well as pathogenic dieting practices. I argue that pathogenic dieting practices (eating disorders) among young women are relevant to the influence of the mass media. In addition, given that young women's striving to conform to the ever-increasing stringent standards of female beauty ”ideals” results in females' body dissatisfaction and insecurity, I will point out that women's preoccupation with body dissatisfaction and insecurity socio-culturally constructed must be analyzed in a historical and political context. Moreover, eating disorders, once known as the ”golden girl syndromes” which struck mainly rich, white, well-educated women, have spread to women of different economic and ethnic backgrounds. Hence, I believe it is of vital importance to pay close attention to a growing number of young Asian women who are under the impact of Western culture having the problems of eating disorders. Finally, the significance of feminist pedagogy and intervention in females' perceptions of body image for women's mental health is also discussed.

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