Susan Bordo emphasizes the irony of the conflicting messages society bombards us with every day: on the one hand, there is heavy stigma against those whose bodies do not conform to the ideal shape and size (e.g. anorexic or obese bodies) but on the other hand there is a continuous pressure on us to purchase and consume more and more food (Bordo, 185-212). Obviously, the ideals imposed on us are impossible to maintain given the temptations; Bordo points out that capitalist and consumerist Western culture is rife with messages to spend money, use products, and be extravagant in our consumption of food (Bordo, 185-212). She posits that our bodies inevitably show signs of overconsumption they become “sensationalized” and referred to as “freakish;”
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This seems to be a contradiction. But this is Chrissy Teigen. She is already perceived to be beautiful and talented, and her success far outweighs whatever insignificant physical flaws she may have on her inner thighs; I cannot help but wonder if a regular or non-celebrity woman could ever really win in this battle against the beauty standard – either she demonstrates control over her own body, subscribing to the ‘beauty myth’ and struggles with self-esteem issues, or she does not and consequently receives backlash from society (Cocarla, “Body Politics and the Beauty Ideals”). I fail to see what the most desired outcome is. In my opinion, most women are not as lucky as Teigen, who receives a free pass and is adored by the public at large because of her many other facets and charms; they are embroiled in a battle which is impossible for them to win and has, in fact, only one victor: consumer capitalism and Western culture – hence, Bordo captures an aspect of popular culture that Maguire fails to take into account (Bordo, 201). In reality, most women are not free to confidently post pictures of whatever physical flaws they possess and receive more positive feedback than criticism, judgment or hate; Chrissy’s example is unrealistic because she is already more highly esteemed in the eyes of society than the average woman, for subscribing in other ways (e.g. slimness) to social beauty standards, so her minor stretch marks are an easy flaw to overlook (Cocarla, “Body Politics and the Beauty Ideals”). Before one gets too excited about empowerment of women and successful challenges to social norms and expectations, it is important to be
This seems to be a contradiction. But this is Chrissy Teigen. She is already perceived to be beautiful and talented, and her success far outweighs whatever insignificant physical flaws she may have on her inner thighs; I cannot help but wonder if a regular or non-celebrity woman could ever really win in this battle against the beauty standard – either she demonstrates control over her own body, subscribing to the ‘beauty myth’ and struggles with self-esteem issues, or she does not and consequently receives backlash from society (Cocarla, “Body Politics and the Beauty Ideals”). I fail to see what the most desired outcome is. In my opinion, most women are not as lucky as Teigen, who receives a free pass and is adored by the public at large because of her many other facets and charms; they are embroiled in a battle which is impossible for them to win and has, in fact, only one victor: consumer capitalism and Western culture – hence, Bordo captures an aspect of popular culture that Maguire fails to take into account (Bordo, 201). In reality, most women are not free to confidently post pictures of whatever physical flaws they possess and receive more positive feedback than criticism, judgment or hate; Chrissy’s example is unrealistic because she is already more highly esteemed in the eyes of society than the average woman, for subscribing in other ways (e.g. slimness) to social beauty standards, so her minor stretch marks are an easy flaw to overlook (Cocarla, “Body Politics and the Beauty Ideals”). Before one gets too excited about empowerment of women and successful challenges to social norms and expectations, it is important to be