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Chapter 7 - Defining Beauty and Cultural Pride

from Section II - The Journey Toward Positive Body Image

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2021

Nichole Wood-Barcalow ,
Tracy Tylka  and
Casey Judge
Nichole Wood-Barcalow
Affiliation:
Chalmers P. Wylie VA Ambulatory Care Center, Columbus, Ohio
Tracy Tylka
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
Casey Judge
Affiliation:
Ohio State University
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Summary

Media often portray an extremely narrow depiction of beauty. For example, in Western media, women are often lean, toned, young, and busty; men are often lean, fit, muscular, and tall – and they both are often clothed in the latest fashions with body hair removed or at least groomed, white or light skin tone that is blemish free, and hair styled perfectly [1–2, see also Chapter 4]. Media equate beauty with what is considered attractive in a particular culture, which is influenced by the “dominant appearance ideals” of those who hold power and influence [3–5]. Having appearance-related features that are inconsistent with these ideals may become a source of body anxiety and shame, unless these narrow beauty ideals are challenged.

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Positive Body Image Workbook
A Clinical and Self-Improvement Guide
 , pp. 107 - 117
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

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