Currently, based on my ongoing research on women’s body image and social media influences, I have posted a series of notes on body image and public-private boundaries on The Red Book, a popular platform for young women, with the intention of challenging and changing some of the current stereotypes of women’s bodies in Chinese culture. Below is a summary of the four notes I posted, which consist of two parts: 1) introducing and popularising body image; 2) exploring the boundaries of the body in public and private space
Demystifying body image: from superficiality to depth
Body image is more than just how we perceive our appearance. It is a multi-dimensional concept that encompasses our perceptions, emotions, behaviours and perceptions of our bodies. In my notes “Demystifying ‘Body Image’ | Know Your True Self, Cherish Your True Self” and “Depth Interpretation of Body Image,” I attempted to provide an in-depth analysis of body image in terms of four dimensions (cognitive, affective, behavioural, and perceptual) and highlighted its importance in terms of an individual’s self-esteem, mental health, social and professional life.
Academic support
This perspective is supported by several studies, such as Cash & Smolak (2011) in Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention, where it is explored in depth.
Public-private boundaries of the body: blurring and clarification
On the other hand, I have also posted notes on The Red Book about the boundaries of the body in public and private spaces. It is about how we present our bodies in different social and cultural contexts.
In “Dual Boundaries of the Body – Public and Private” and “The Body – Public Territory or Private Haven? ” In these two notes, I try to answer this complex but highly relevant question through experimentation and research. I designed a conceptual model and conducted random interviews to understand the parts of the body that people are willing to display in public and the social and psychological factors behind this.
This note’s was also commented on by thought psychologists and reads: the skin of the body is the border between private and public. Part of the healthy state of the skin is the subconscious externalisation of this boundary. Experiencing the subconscious language of the skin may be an important way of becoming aware of the self in relation to the other, but this is difficult to do. Analysing his comments, from a psychological point of view, the condition of the skin may reflect a person’s psychological state, such as anxiety or self-esteem. This is in line with the concept of my project – boosting self-confidence through awareness and respect for one’s body. Considering that the skin may be a “communication tool” in the relationship between the self and the other, this perspective may help me to more fully understand the connection between body image and self-confidence. Whilst there is value in recognising the ‘subconscious language’ of the skin, this is very difficult to achieve. Possible reasons for this include cultural stereotypes, individual experiences and social expectations. This may provide a specific practical challenge for my project: how to design iterative interventions to help target populations better interpret and accept the ‘language’ of their bodies?
Academic Background
This topic has also been widely explored in sociology and cultural studies, for example in relation to the definition of ‘public and private’ and its impact on individual behaviour.
Body image and public-private boundaries are issues that everyone needs to face, but in a society like China, where tradition and modernity are intertwined, they take on more complex and diverse characteristics. Through this series of interventions on The Red Book, I not only hope to help more women to recognise and accept themselves, but also look forward to triggering more in-depth social discussion and change.
Reference:
- Cash, T. F., & Smolak, L. (Eds.). (2011). Body Image: A Handbook of Science, Practice, and Prevention. Guilford Press.
- Grogan, S. (2016). Body image: Understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women, and children. Routledge.
- Tiggemann, M. (2004). Body image across the adult life span: Stability and change. Body image, 1(1), 29-41.
- Thompson, J. K. (Ed.). (1996). Body image, eating disorders, and obesity. American Psychological Association.