Bodies of the Year

I found Wesley Morris’ argument very interesting.  Although I am not so sure popular culture is transforming as much as he claims; for example, Miley Cyrus’ 2013 twerking outbursts and exposing videos, the annual Victoria’s Secret runway show,  and Beyonce’s scandalous performance at the family friendly Super Bowl.  And this “sexy” image is not limited to just women; men are pressured to look like Calvin Klein underwear models by maintaining a chiseled, tan body.  In my opinion, body image and appearance have become exceedingly more important qualities in the last 10 years. Our culture has grown to interpret a tiny waist and large chest as an ideal women and a thin, muscular image as an ideal man. Consistent exposure to this ideal body image can easily alter our perception of reality.  The pressure to be thin and perfect is inevitable. Emphasis is placed on sexual allure and aesthetics in the world of media now more than ever. 

Also, I think Morris failed to note the aspects of popular culture outside of just movies, Instagram, and TV.  What about video games? I think it’s fair to say many of the women characters are tailored to satisfy the “male gaze”.  I’m not so sure high heels, a tight leather crop top and mini skirt is the ideal combat outfit. How about advertisements? Magazines such as Vogue and Sports Illustrated picture flawless tall women in revealing bikinis and tan muscular men whose wardrobes seem to lack shirts and even pants for that matter.  And lastly what about photo manipulation?  From filters to Photoshop, photo editing has become more common in recent years. Airbrushed tan skin, teeth brightener, body slimming, and color enhancers can be added to photos with the click of a button.  No longer is the natural “you” acceptable.

We all fall into this cultural trap of an impractical standard of good looks…I am guilty too. But I would like to hope that Wesley Morris is right; that maybe popular culture is transforming to accept a more natural, healthy body image.

Link to a Barbie’s proportions drawn on a real woman:

http://www.glamour.com/beauty/blogs/girls-in-the-beauty-department/2012/08/what-would-barbies-proportions.html