Topic 6: body as social entity

Question 1

Define our body as a sociology concept

Answer 1

• Body is a social product
• Shaped in accordance to cultural values + social roles

Question 2

Explain the concept of contemporary society by Giddens

Answer 2

• Current period = decline of certainities
• Social structure that gave clear work view + self-identity = community/religion/family = lost importance
• Consequence = people look within them selves for identity + meaning = rely on their bodies to find meaning
• With developments in science + technology = more possibilities to control + change bodies = e.g. plastic surgery + sport science

Question 3

Define embodiment

Answer 3

• Process of internalizing cultural values
• Cultural values produced + enhanced in social institutions = media/familly/education
• More people adopt values = values considered more important
• Individuals consider values their own = become way of thinking

Question 4

Explain the body project

Answer 4

• Describes process of turning cultural values into body image
• Body something unfinished = worked upon
• People remake body to construct new self = socially accepted