Reaching The Slender Body Summary

In “Reaching the Slender Body” Susan Bordo deeply analyzes the cultural, psychological, and gender factors that influence body image in the modern era, including the underlying manifestation of power over the self and changing cultural attitudes. There is no denying that humans prefer ascetic beauty just as bees are attracted to vibrant flowers which is why some people believe a warped version of the good life is to achieve societal standards of beauty which in turn is subliminally achieving virtues. The cost is often times one’s physical and mental health as well as an obsessive condemnation of everything that is “imperfect” of a person. In reality, gender norms and societal perceptions change what is “the idea body type” therefore achieving it is like chasing the wind. In today’s culture “slimness” is translated by some as being the tangible
Between the hunger and the muscle pain from the constant workouts? I can’t tell you how much I hurt.” Her self-denials of her body’s basic needs of rest and food are seen as “power” by herself and society when in actuality it is harmful to her health. She is willing to make the hazardous tradeoff between health for physical ideals. Also, if the youths of today are brought up lead to believe that physical perfection is the key to the good life then low self esteem and harmful behavior may ensue upon not being able to meet the unrealistic criteria. Bordo quotes a woman’s first hand experience with anorexia, “Sometimes my body looks so bloated, I don’t want to get dressed. I like the way it looks for exactly two days each month.” It’s truly saddening to hear any person perceive themselves in such a negative light that they hardly feel okay in their own skin. Whereas Bordo ties this self disgust to “anxieties about internal processes out of control” and rejection of oppressing gender standards for women, it is ultimately a harmful self image. It is psychologically damaging and no happiness can come from such a negative