The Body As Social Entity

Question 1

Case Study
Andrea Christofide is 16 years old and she understands herself as being overweight, although she looks very thin. She goes to the gym and she is on a diet already. She also dyes her hair quite often and she is rather obsessed with having any hair removed from her body. She reads most relevant magazines in order to make herself aware of what look is fashionable.

Answer 1

Read case

Question 2

Why is Andrea changing her body?

Question 3

In sociology our body is considered a social product meaning

Answer 3

The way our bodies look is dependent on cultural values and the social roles we perform

One may ask what is the meaning of a body dressed in a suit
- higher prestige
- good job
- higher education and socioeconomic status

But it could also mean nothing. Showing us how our bodies could carry a specific message to society about a person depending on how we look.

Question 4

Contemporary society- Decline in certainties means

Answer 4

Social structures (community, religion, family, friends, etc) are not as important as they used to be (lose their importanc)

Question 5

As a consequence of social structures loosing their importance or as a consequence of decline in certainties

Answer 5

People now look at themselves as the source of constructing their identity and meaning
- they turn to their bodies

Question 6

People have more opportunities to change their bodies/looks nowadays, give examples

Answer 6

Plastic surgery
Sports science
Fashion industries

Question 7

CASE CONTINUES …
Andrea’s parents argue with her that she is quite thin and that she has a nice body. They try to explain to her that she is just becoming what society wants her to become, but Andrea says that she does not care about society and that she does what she really likes and considers the right thing to do. She stresses that she has not yet achieved her goal which is to lose 10 kilos. In a few months she appears to be very thin, and she loses her appetite and her mood. Her parents are concerned and they think that she needs to see a doctor.

Answer 7

Read case

Question 8

Do people passively adopt cultural values?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

What does Andrea mean by saying that she does not care about society and just does what she really likes

Answer 9

Think abt this

Question 10

Why do cultural values/beliefs become so powerful

Answer 10

They take control over us even if unhealthy

Question 11

Intro To Embodiment

Answer 11

• Cultural values (what is right and what is wrong) are produced and I handed in social institutions such as the media, press, family life, education and science.
• When more and more people adopt specific values these values are then understood as more and more important as if they are just facts. “If so many people believe this then it must be true”
• EMBODIMENT is the process of embodying or internalizing these cultural values (start thinking along the lines of them, shape ur brain that way)
• This makes individuals consider these values as their own- they become their new way of thinking

Question 12

Once values are internalized، an individual may start to take a

Answer 12

Actions in accordance to these values

Question 13

Give an example of an action towards a certain cultural embodied value

Answer 13

Body project!

Question 14

Body project is

Answer 14

Turning cultural values into body image (if the majority believe thin is ideal, and u start believing and therefore embodying that concept as well, you as a person will turn ur Body into a thin one.

Question 15

Body project True or False? People understand the body as an unfinished project that could be worked on (set goals for and deadlines)

Answer 15

True

Question 16

An identity issue with people is they’ll re-make their bodies in order to construct a new

Answer 16

Identity that is accepted by society

Question 17

Body project: contemporary consumer culture provides us with

Answer 17

The ‘products’ to achieve this desired new self/ individualized state
- plastics
- diet culture
- fashion industry

We can conclude that individuals are transformed in accordance to their embodied values

Question 18

The process of embodiment

Answer 18

Cultural values target individuals, so many get targeted and believe them that the values become embodied/internalized, leading to taking an action in accordance with those values (body project), the ultimate goal is to “transform their identity” (transformed individuals)

Question 19

To Sum Up

Answer 19

Our bodies are social products not just physical (depending on how we present it to society it has specific meanings)
The way we want to present our bodies is based of societal/ cultural values
Individuals may adopt these values and the more that do the more internalization/embodiment takes place
They take action in order to transform their bodies
Therefore, transform themselves.

This is happening frequently due to DECLINING CERTAINTIES where social institutions have lost their importance (like family) therefore people turn to themselves to find meaning in life and an acceptable place in society.

Question 20

What cultural values have influenced Andreas way of thinking

Answer 20

The cultural values of the thin female body being put on a podium influences her

Question 21

Has Andrea experienced embodiment? In which ways?

Answer 21

Question 22

Has Andrea understood her body as a “project”? How?

Answer 22

Question 23

Women that embody/internalize values like Andrea may be at risk of what disease?

Answer 23

Anorexia

Question 24

Anorexia stats

Answer 24

Overall females more commonly develop anorexia. Especially young females age 10-19

Question 25

Why is anorexia most common in young females

Answer 25

• The ideal female body in western countries has been considered the thin body
• Social institutions like media, advertisements, health and romantic relationships promote these ideas
• This cultural value/image is then embodied and women take action to achieve it
• Adolescent girls are more vulnerable because the messages target females and young females still have yet to construct their social identities. Young girls are far from achieving life goals like a job, a family, money, etc; however a body is something they have the ability to set goals for that they could reach. It’s the need for social identity

Question 26

Answer 26

Single best answer, body project not a. because she has already internalized the values, in this specific case she is setting goals and going along with those values; therefore, its b. Body project