Gender & Body

Question 1

What is the idea of dualism that is so strong in Western world?

Answer 1

The idea that the body and mind are seperate

Question 2

Is the mind-body dualism gender neutral?

Answer 2

Nope. It is gendered

Question 3

What does the “mind” refer to in dualism?

Answer 3

Rational, eternal, immortal divine -> usually masculine

Question 4

What does the “body” refer to in dualism?

Answer 4

Temporal, sensual, sinful, irrational -> usually feminine

Question 5

What do we mean by expression of identity in terms of body?

Answer 5

It is a part of our expression towards who we are

Question 6

What is the beauty myth?

Answer 6

It is the belief that there is universal quality of beauty. Women aspire to embody it and men desire women who embody the myth

Question 7

Why can the beauty myth be revealed as a myth?

Answer 7

Throughout history, the ideals of a female body has been changing drastically. To slim bodies to larger ones

Question 8

What usually determines the contents of the beauty myth?

Answer 8

economic and political institutions. Media also plays a role in the universalisation of myths

Question 9

What is the hysteria disease?

Answer 9

It is a projected idea of a disease that affects women, with the intent to discipline female bodies. The treatment rests on isolation and rest. Usually, patients were higher and middle class women

Question 10

What percentage tells us about the issue of body image?

Answer 10

84% women have dieted to lose weight. 58% of men have done the same

Question 11

What are body dismorphic disorders?

Answer 11

The frequent mirror checking, expressive grooming, face picking and reassurance seeking

Question 12

What problems with bodies were discovered in the 50s and 60s?

Answer 12

Anorexia and bulimia

Question 13

What are the most common plastic surgery procedures worldwide?

Answer 13

Breast augmentation, liposuction and eyelid surgery

Question 14

What do we mean by normalisation of body in cosmetic surgery?

Answer 14

With cosmetic surgery we have built an image of a normalised body ideal

Question 15

What is blepharoplasty?

Answer 15

It is a type of surgery that remove excess skin from the eyelids. It erases signs of aging. Makes Asians look more European

Question 16

How does blepharoplasty potray racial inequality?

Answer 16

Because it is used for Asians to look more European, because European look is more in line with the beauty myth

Question 17

How can beauty be power through beauty rituals?

Answer 17

it leads to social spaces for women, networking and time spent by yourself. Furthermore, leads to solidarity, relationship building and exchange of experiences

Question 18

How have the cosmetic industry been positive to women?

Answer 18

It has lead to opportunities for women to enter the economy. Chances to get the role of inventor, not only consumer

Question 19

How do we see body modifications in other non-western cultures?

Answer 19

Tribes in Africa, for example, have large rings in their ears and their mouth

Question 20

What is important to men body standards?

Answer 20

Display of masculinity

Question 21

What is the importance of being tall for men?

Answer 21

It shows leadership potential and security

Question 22

Why is sports important for men?

Answer 22

it is an arena in which boys use their bodies to demonstrate masculinity, allowing them to amass “physical capital” and gain masculine status

Question 23

What is embodiment?

Answer 23

A social process through which women and men, as active social agents, develop their bodies as both the objects and agents of practice

Question 24

What is body-reflexive practice?

Answer 24

We experience ourselves as both in and as our bodies

Question 25

What is interesting about beauty ideal in the antiquity?

Answer 25

It was centered around men. Men’s body was the ideal

Question 26

What developed in the 17th century?

Answer 26

The body beauty myths of the female body

Question 27

How did the display of body in art develop during the renaissance?

Answer 27

Before the reinassance, art was dedicated to religion. But then, women’s body became synonymous with nature, and women’s body part of the nature. Since the 2nd half of the 20th century, naked male body returned

Question 28

How does hegemonic masculinity lead to risky behaviour?

Answer 28

Sports is an arena for risky behaviour with one’s body -> push the limits. Working class men -> violence is legimitised. Men’s body damage due to behaviour. Men does not seek medical help

Question 29

How are medicine often different between men and women?

Answer 29

There is usually a lack of understanding on women’s body and health, which means treatment can be quite limited

Question 30

What do we mean by that bodies are social?

Answer 30

Our bodies are disciplined by social institutions

Question 31

How are our bodies subject to gender inequality?

Answer 31

We have expectations to our bodies according to our attributed gender

Question 32

How does gender influence our bodies and vice versa

Answer 32

1. The way we feel about our bodies, through the beauty myth
2. The ways we care for our bodies, as in the relationship between masculinity and health
3. Dictates how much control we have over our bodies and what is done to them, as in reproductive rights for example

Question 33

What does the phrase “throw like a girl” tell us?

Answer 33

That we assign social meaning onto our bodies, and build a concept around physical differences between gendered bodies

Question 34

How have gender shaped in ways we use our bodies?

Answer 34

Women take up less space when sitting, and when they walk they take shorter steps