Body shape and body image

[Labarum]

In comment to a post in the men's forum I said:

"If you look at films (movies) from the 1940s the shape of the ideal woman and the "manly" man is different; and the cut and fit of both men's and women's clothes more realistic."

So I make the observation where all can see it.

We do have an increase in obesity; but do we now have unrealistic and unhealthy expectations of human body shape for both males and females?

[Alexa]

Good point. Yes I think we do have unhealthy expectations because of things we see that are altered images and/or the people featured have had surgery and access to hours worth of makeup and things like that.

The scary thing is that I think even if you are aware of the falseness of such images, they enter your brain and you start to judge yourself and others by them - I certainly seem to anyway...which is not good.

[GaynorA]

Ohhhh .... don't even get me started on this one. Increase in obesity ... absolutely. Increase in eating disorders among really young children because of media pressure --- unfortunately horribly true. It's rediculous really. Craving to be size zero - whatever the heck that is meant to be. It's like a "none" weight. A very important issue. Well done on raising it.

[not2late]

I share a similar view to yours Brian. Until the 1960s when the "Twiggy" look became fashionable, women had body shapes like women---hips and busts (for example, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard). Then when that waifish Twiggy-Mia Farrow anorexic look became fashionable, the idealized woman's form took the shape of an adolescent boy or a pre-adolescent girl---> no hips, no bust.

Men followed suit. Instead of having men with men shapes ---broad or solid shoulders and solid waists like Gregory Peck or Gene Kelly, you have men with a more slender and delicate build, again similar to an adolescent boy.

[Fuschia]

Body image and body shape have always been in flux. If you look at art thru the ages, bodies, and women's bodies in particular, have widened or narrowed depending on what was going on at the time. It's also been a way for society to set apart the "haves" from the "have nots". In many ancient societies, if you and/or your wife was pale, it meant you could afford to stay out of the sun, and did not have work, at least not manual work. Other trends in fashion were and are, much the same.

What I think has changed is the amount of media bombardment. If you like reading about history, there has always been a body type considered ideal for it's age, along with the weight loss method to (hopefully) get it. If you look at any of the old 1940's Hollywood magazines, you'll find all sorts of how this star stays slim and trim articles. Just like today. Unlike back then, however, people weren't bombarded with images every single moment of the day on tv, internet, and every where else.

I know this is a long post, but I have one last thought. I also blame the fitness industry. The seventies was when the fitness craze really took off, right? Before that, a person was expected to exercise, but it wasn't expected that a short stout woman could transform herself into a tall svelte goddess. The short woman might have used a girdle or the like, but she didn't have to kill herself try to achieve something that will never happen.

[guekjian]

All I have to say (for myself anyways) is THANK GOD FOR JENNIFER LOPEZ and BEYONCE for making curves not "taboo" but rather desirable. At 5'7, my goal weight of 135 is almost too thin for me because I have a backside and I always will. No matter what I do, it will always be there so what is the point of trying to be Paris Hilton skinny when genetics are just not there. It just is a shame that even though my rational mind knows this, the little devil on the other shoulder says that I will not be attractive until I get to that impossible point...

[Fuschia]

But, when J-lo and Beyonce started out, they were, how shall I say it, rather "thicker" then they are now. Heck, Jennifer Lopez hardly even has the booty she became famous for. Once again, I blame the media- when Beyonce & Jennifer started out, they were "breaths of fresh air", etc. Bringing curves back to stick thin Hollywood. After a while though, what's happened? "Beyonce's too Heavy!! Her Health in Danger!!! J-Lo's Booty Too Gosh-Darned BiG!!!"

I know more then a few men would say that those statements are wrong, but, the pressure on celebrities to conform must be crippling. I don't know what I would do if I was in their place. Say the heck with it or try to play by the system's rules to get work.

[not2late]

But Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce are often called "full-figured" or "curvy" by the media. And we all know, ladies, that "full-figured" and "curvy" are media code words for "fat".

[Kawispice]

I am not sure about "fat" for J.L. and B. If you look at Angelina Jolie, for example, people are concerned about her going below 100 pounds. I think that the actresses are trying to appear youthful and youth is young and undeveloped, and also the camera does add on 10 pounds (or two dress sizes at their weight). Extremely thin usually also means very weak and images of cancer loom in my head. Also extremely thin means very miserable because your body rebels against it (makes me think of those poor people in Africa who are starving to death), it is not healthy and not natural. Poor kids (these people who need to feel absolutely zero sized) I am truly sorry for them.

[Labarum]

Originally Posted by not2late

I share a similar view to yours Brian. Until the 1960s when the "Twiggy" look became fashionable, women had body shapes like women---hips and busts (for example, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Myrna Loy, Carole Lombard). Then when that waifish Twiggy-Mia Farrow anorexic look became fashionable, the idealized woman's form took the shape of an adolescent boy or a pre-adolescent girl---> no hips, no bust.

Men followed suit. Instead of having men with men shapes ---broad or solid shoulders and solid waists like Gregory Peck or Gene Kelly, you have men with a more slender and delicate build, again similar to an adolescent boy.

Thanks, Megs, you have "fleshed out" my idea and stated it robustly!

And yes, it is to do with the cult of adolescence. The healthy mature male and female form is different - more rounded and curvaceous for the female, and more solidly muscular (especially the trunk) for the male.

Women should have that classic 1940s hour glass look - flattered by the waisted and flared skirt, and the close fitting bodice. Men should display broad shoulders, and a robust trunk, but without a belly; so as to fill the rather square cut lounge suit jacket of that 40s period.