Conclusion
‘The category’s ‘fat’ and ‘thin’ are not innate and do not have intrinsic meanings; rather, they are socially constituted, along with the definitions of perfection and beauty.’[1] This idea of the ideal body stems from society particularly the media and pornography where the ideal body is presented and ingrained into people’s preconceptions of how we as women are ‘supposed’ to look. During analysis of the works the conception of the ideal body is a poisonous idea to be showing women which has devastating effects resulting in eating disorders and in extreme cases body dysmorphia.
Advancements in biology and technology have increased our understanding of the ‘self’. However it has also had a wider and juxtaposed effect on the socially controlled influences in regard to beauty. The introduction of widely available images, particularly as pornographic material is much more easily accessible, has only increased our obsession with the idea of perfection. Art and literature has historically documented images of beauty and the naked form, however the accessibility of electronic media and with it social opinion has led to potentially damaging effects on the health and self-esteem of women.
[1] Diamond, Nicky, ‘thin is the feminist issue’, feminist review,P 11