“Theorizing the Young

Woman in the Body”

by Liz Frost

Lauren Arnett

Young girls between the ages of 14-18 have a greater prevalence of eating disorders

Factors: Visual presentation Consumer capitalism Feminism

Frost’s Small Experiment

1998: 10 participants for case study interviews after taking part in art and health projects

Relationship between appearance and girl’s perspective on her body

Looks-Related Activity

Shopping

Presentation of looks for peers

Body alterations Surgery Dieting

Identity based on appearance Virtually become one concept Insecurity and anxiety

Beauty as a Stigma

Distorted view of perfection & identity trying to be achieved

Social exclusion

Media influence

Internal issue because of inability to achieve stigma- slim and fit

Feminism- emotional instability and hormonal imbalances

“group acceptance and identification

may be dependent on what kind of image, including

body image, a young person can construct”