Understanding Gender Roles and Body Image Standards
Gender portrayal has always been a fascinating and significant topic for me. However, the Body Image course provided me with a more nuanced viewpoint on this subject, particularly on the ways that gender roles and standards influence our perceptions of our bodies. The idea of the “ideal” figure and how this goal is frequently unreachable and unachievable are two crucial points that particularly jumped out to me.
“Body dissatisfaction is important in its own right as a threat to well-being, and also because it is associated with various health-related behaviors, some of which present significant health risks” (Grogan 6). This is especially true for women, who often have far greater expectations for their physical attractiveness than males (Simbar et al. 523). The media and the advertising sector frequently promote the slender, toned, and young body ideal, which raises unreasonable and harmful expectations for people.
The Impact of Body Image Issues on Men
The workshop also highlighted how body image problems affect guys and how they are not simply a problem for women. Men are also impacted by cultural standards for physical appearances, such as the need to be robust and muscular (Izydorczyk et al. 506). Media and popular culture, which uphold particular macho norms, frequently promote this (Rounsefell et al. 19). In addition, the training made me aware of a mental health disease in which sufferers obsess about perceived imperfections in their physical appearance. All genders are affected by this illness, and the media frequently fuels these negative and anxious emotions.
Key Lessons and Personal Growth from the Course
The course content challenged some of my preconceived views about beauty and body image as a woman. I realized that gender stereotypes and societal expectations impact some of my judgments of what makes a mate beautiful or appealing. This made me reevaluate my presumptions and opinions and how other forces could have influenced my viewpoints. Regarding what I wish the course had covered, discussing the connections between racial, ethnic, and cultural differences and body image concerns would have been beneficial. The different beauty standards and expectations within various cultures and societies may impact body image and self-esteem. It would have been intriguing to investigate how these crossing identities might influence impressions of one’s physique.
Applying Course Insights to Future Professional Goals
This course taught me a lot, and I will use it to my advantage in many ways. First, it has helped me better grasp the subtleties and intricacies of body image issues and how gender roles and cultural conventions influence them. This will enable me to be more sympathetic and compassionate toward others experiencing problems with their body image. Second, the course has made me reevaluate some of my assumptions and viewpoints, enabling me to think more critically and reflectively in the future. I will be more aware of how outside influences like the media and popular culture may affect how we see what is desirable and appealing.
Finally, everything I learned in this class will be helpful in my future job since I want to work in a sector associated with mental health and well-being. This course has dramatically enhanced my understanding of how body image issues may affect a person’s mental health and wellness and how to address and manage these concerns. In conclusion, I have learned much from the Gender and Representation: Body Image course. It has made me reevaluate my ideas and presumptions and my awareness of how social norms and expectations may affect how we perceive our bodies. I appreciate this information and will work to use it to become a more thoughtful, contemplative, and knowledgeable individual.
Works Cited
Grogan, Sarah. Body Image: Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women, and Children. Routledge, 2021.
Izydorczyk, Bernadetta, et al. “Socio-Cultural Standards Promoted by the Mass Media as Predictors of Restrictive and Bulimic Behavior.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 11, 2020, 506. Web.
Simbar, Masoumeh, et al. “Quality of Life and Body Image of Individuals with Gender Dysphoria.” Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, vol. 44, no. 6, 2018, 523-532. Web.
Rounsefell, Kim, et al. “Social Media, Body Image, and Food Choices in Healthy Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.” Nutrition & Dietetics, vol. 77, no. 1, 2020, 19-40. Web.