Month: October 2023

The Red book is an integral part of my intervention measures and serves as a relatively long-term approach. It also embodies the application of Symbolic Interactionism theory in “The Box” project. Women interpret these cultural symbols through their interactions with others, including family, friends, social groups, and media, and form opinions and attitudes about their own bodies accordingly. For instance, the likes and comments received on social media may be interpreted as approval or disapproval of a certain body image. Through these symbol-interactions, women perceive and evaluate their body image, impacting their self-esteem and mental well-being.

The last time I updated data on The Red book in my blog was on October 16th, 2023. Half a month has passed, and it’s time to look at the comparative data on page views and likes.

Data for the Past 7 Days:

• New Followers: 1
• Homepage Visitors: 40
• Views: 373
• Interactions: 28

1, About the box, a box that is about to be opened.

——PV: 443 Likes: 12 The data grew to PV: 452 Likes: 12

2, Decoding “body image” – seeing yourself in the mirror.

——PV: 319 Likes: 12 The data grew to PV: 350 Likes: 13

3, Body image, in-depth exploration and understanding.

——PV: 423 Likes: 10 The data grew to PV: 518 Likes: 13

4, The Body – Public Territory or Private Haven?

——PV: 295 Likes: 5 The data grew to PV: 341 Likes: 5

5, Dual Boundaries of the Body- Public vs. Private

——PV: 599 Likes: 24 The data grew to PV: 778 Likes: 40

6, Nxde: The Queens’ Manifesto of Female Power

——PV:1787 Likes: 57 The data grew to PV: 2226 Likes: 77

7, A love letter to confidence, love and the universe.

——PV: 495 Likes: 11 The data grew to PV: 546 Likes: 15

Due to the online abuse I received after posting notes about the Crazy Horse Show in Paris, I have not updated any new content since then, but I am still receiving traffic. This week, I plan to post at least three new notes on The Red (XiaoHongShu) and interact with my followers.

After the Dragon’s Den, I received a lot of valuable advice. At the same time, it also provided me an opportunity to identify my own shortcomings.

The following is from the presentation:

• Title: Nakedness, The Box
• Coming from my cultural background, experiencing the world in this extreme way allowed me to deeply understand how, as a woman, I should accept myself.
• This led to the creation of my project called “The Box.” My research question is: “How can Chinese cultural perceptions of the female body be challenged, to allow Gen Z females to form a positive self-image, unconstrained by social expectations?”
• Even though the project is about how women can build a positive body image, I’ve actually focused more on men in my testing and interventions. That’s because the societal expectations around women’s bodies are often set by men.
• During my research, I found two key phenomena:
  • When men’s expectations influence some women’s body image, it creates a divide among women themselves.
  • When men establish boundaries and expectations about women’s bodies and then try to engage in conversations on similar topics, women often view these talks as negative and reject them. Men, in turn, face backlash from women, who think their approach is inappropriate.
• So, my project not only helps women to accept themselves but also assists men in reshaping their expectations about women’s bodies. This, in turn, alleviates gender conflicts.
• Finally, I plan to launch an underwear brand in China. The existing market lacks products that use underwear as a medium to boost self-acceptance and shatter gender expectations. Besides the products, I’ll continually educate the public about body image through social media, so the topics of “body” or “female body” no longer remain sensitive and negative in China.

Key Points, External Expert Advice, and Reflection:

Focus and Scope:

Your project is ambitiously comprehensive, encompassing cultural perceptions, gender expectations, and social media. However, the impact of your project might be diluted by attempting to address too many facets. Experts recommend focusing on a singular issue and providing a targeted solution.

• Reflection:

Since the beginning of the MAAI course, every project of mine has been exploring the body—starting from “fashion and body” to “The Box,” and to my current research question: “How can Chinese cultural perceptions of the female body be challenged, to allow Gen Z females to form a positive self-image, unconstrained by social expectations?” It is a continuous inquiry into the body, from its relationship with fashion to the constraints on Chinese female bodies, to female empowerment, and societal expectations for women. This, coupled with the present focus on male-centered social science research, makes my project seem more multifaceted and complex. At this point, the feedback from external experts is invaluable. Through this interaction, I realized some issues were not clearly expressed, providing me the chance to refine my thinking for better articulation. In my project, the interventions and tests for females and males differ; females lean towards accepting their internal self to lessen external evaluation, while males aim to express outwardly, thereby reducing expectations on female bodies. Social media is the most crucial medium in my project because Gen Z is the true digital native generation. To understand and influence them, the internet and social media are the best choices. Therefore, I will continue using the Red Book as an intervention method, targeting my audience to make them aware of body image content and the feedback I have received through multiple rounds of testing. At present, a short-term goal remains to increase the visibility of my content on social media. The increasing number of likes will offer clear insight into what people think about the content I post, as a ‘like’ typically signifies approval or acceptance.\

Perspective and Interaction:

You have included men as contributors to societal expectations in your research. While this is an important angle, introducing too many variables may muddle the issue. If you continue to include men, ensure that their involvement is explicit, focused, and purposeful. How will your project change their perceptions and behaviors?

• Reflection:

On the point about men, indeed there is a practice that could make the issue vague, as if it becomes about exploring men’s issues. However, when focusing on female issues, we really cannot ignore the presence of men. For instance, I found that online violence against women’s bodies often comes from women themselves. Through research on TikTok (predominantly male users) and the Red book (predominantly female users), I found that women are more willing to make aggressive comments about women on the internet. So, I am thinking, what influences them? What sets their standards for the female body image? Actually, the answer is obvious; under a patriarchal society, men’s expectations for female body image are also societal expectations for female body image. Therefore, if I want to find the essence to answer my research question, that answer is “men.” When I designed interventions about women using the theory of phenomenology, it fully understood how Gen Z women form their body image concepts when facing multiple pressures from social media, family, and workplace. Here I only choose the pressures from social media. Then, this goes back to how men and social media expect women’s body image, which is also the reason for my second intervention about men. Based on the advice and questions given by experts, I should simplify it in actual operation. I hope to change men’s cognition and behavior through more direct dialogues, such as seminars and themed workshops.

Both of these points are about the issues caused by the inclusion of men in the project. Next, I will refine the men’s part, making it more targeted. At the same time, I believe that when exploring gender, we cannot engage in a one-sided discussion, as it is incomplete and not rigorous. Moreover, it’s essential to identify the core issue when solving problems; if we discuss an issue without discovering its essence, then such solutions are meaningless.

Role of Lingerie Brand & Background and Cultural Nuances

Experts do not have a clear understanding of how your planned lingerie brand will challenge gender expectations and promote a positive body image for women. You need to provide a more specific explanation of what sets your brand apart and how it serves as a solution to the issue at hand. What does it symbolically represent, and how does it empower women in practice?

Lingerie is typically not shown publicly and its meaning can vary widely depending on the context. Will your brand challenge this norm? Is it aimed at practicality or making a statement?

• Reflection:

In this section, experts gave me advice and raised questions about establishing a lingerie brand. I mentioned this part in my presentation, hoping to show how the concept of ‘The Box’ could be applied to business in the future. However, at the current stage, I haven’t planned on incorporating the lingerie aspect into the project. After graduation, I will continue to popularize education on body image in China through social media. Meanwhile, I will also carry out related activities in commercial projects.

In summary, the Dragon’s Den and the results of my recent intervention have helped me organize my thoughts on the entire project. However, due to the project’s extended duration and extensive content, the focus has become diffuse, weakening its impact. Moving forward, I will hone in on the most crucial aspects. On the other hand, perhaps there are shortcomings in communication and expression, leading to some misunderstandings about parts of the project from experts and mentors. To address this, I will articulate my points in a more logical manner in the final presentation.

Introduction

In the last round of in-depth conversations with men, I observed two main phenomena. First, men have certain expectations for how women should dress “appropriately,” a term I chose for its multiple implications, including cultural and social norms. These expectations differ depending on cultural and social backgrounds, making them subjective and ambiguous. Second, despite covering a wide range of topics like culture, history, politics, and education, the data gathered was not very specific or accurate.

To obtain more precise information, I conducted this research using online webinars for direct, in-depth conversations with men. The results revealed two key points. One, women often feel internalized pressure and scrutiny under the male gaze and expectations. Two, men’s preset standards for female body image not only hinder open dialogue on this subject but also exacerbate issues of gender inequality and tension.

Theoretical frameworks

1.The Male Gaze

Laura Mulvey’s “The Male Gaze” argues that visual media is often constructed from a male viewpoint, objectifying women and influencing societal expectations about female bodies.

2.The Filter Bubble

Eli Pariser’s “The Filter Bubble” describes how algorithms in social media and search engines shape user perceptions by showing personalized content, leading to a narrower worldview.

Participant Selection

The participants for this study are Chinese Gen Z “straight males.” The term “straight male” is commonly used to describe men who are heterosexual. Within the cultural and social landscape of China, this term further serves to characterize men who are perceived to lack sensitivity towards issues concerning women’s body image. Their attitudes and perspectives often reinforce societal expectations of female physical appearance. Consequently, in online communities, the label “straight male” has become a derogatory term aimed at this specific group of men for perpetuating such norms.

Participant Profile

Geographic Background: The participants hail from various cities across China, including first-tier, second-tier, and third-tier cities, to capture the influence of regional cultural differences on the concept of “straight males.”

Age Group: Given the focus on Gen Z, the age range of the participants is primarily 23-28 years old.

Educational Level: Participants have varied educational backgrounds, ranging from high school graduates to university degrees and above, to assess the impact of education on opinion formation.

Occupation and Socioeconomic Status: Includes both salaried employees and freelancers to understand if “straight males” from different socioeconomic backgrounds hold varying opinions and behavioral patterns.

Online Social Activity: Participants are chosen based on a certain level of activity on social media platforms to understand how they express and propagate views concerning female body image in online communities.

Process 

1，Intervention- online seminar

Topic: Exploring how men view female body image

Objective: The study aims to probe into male perspectives on female body image by employing a visual assessment technique.

Methodology

Visual Stimuli: A total of eight sets of images are used, each representing a different facet of female body image.

Questions for Discussion: Participants are prompted with the following inquiries on a 0-10 Likert scale:

• Affinity Question: “Do you like the body image of the female in the photo?” (Scale: 0-10, with 0 indicating ‘Strongly Dislike’ and 10 ‘Strongly Like’)

• Appropriateness Question: “Do you consider the content of the female body image displayed in this photo or video to be appropriate?” (Scale: 0-10, with 0 indicating ‘Highly Inappropriate’ and 10 ‘Highly Appropriate’)

• Real-world Acceptability Question: “Would you find it acceptable if women in your real-world social environment exhibited such a body image?” (Scale: 0-10, with 0 indicating ‘Strongly Unacceptable’ and 10 ‘Strongly Acceptable’)

———————————-The following is a discussion and analysis of the data.—————————————

First Set of Images: Participant Responses

C-enen: “I can’t really accept the way women around me would dress like this.”

Dian: “Acceptance level is 9, but I can’t accept my girlfriend dressing like this.”

Regarding the appropriateness of the image, some males think it only reaches up to level 5. Additionally, Dian’s comment about not accepting his girlfriend dressing like this implies that he finds the female body image in the photo to be less than fully appropriate.

Second Set of Images: Participant Responses

Zhuzhu: “I really like it.”

Bottle: “I just don’t like this style.”

Based on the data, it is evident that men pay significant attention to a woman’s clothing style when assessing her overall body image. If they do not like the style, they are likely to deem it as inappropriate.

• Reason for Selecting These Two Sets of Images and Male Participants’ Reflections on Cyberbullying

The reason I chose these two sets of images is that both women featured in them have faced varying degrees of cyberbullying after posting these photos on Xiaohongshu. The comments beneath the photos predominantly argue that they are inappropriate and meant to attract male attention.

When I informed male participants of this context, their opinions were as follows:

C-enen: “I can’t understand the cyberbullying against the woman wearing a bikini because she is at the beach. What one wears should be context-specific. Negative comments about the woman wearing yoga pants while hiking seem normal, as the content displayed by the woman in the photo seems somewhat off-putting.”

Zongru: “Wearing yoga pants for hiking is OK, but the body image displayed by the woman in the photo does give off an impression of catering to male attention.”

Zhuzhu: “The woman in the photo wearing yoga pants excessively emphasizes her body curves.”

The male participants’ feedback sheds light on how the appropriateness of a woman’s outfit and body image can be seen as highly contextual, depending on the setting and intent. 

Third Set of Images: Subjective Interpretations on Appropriateness

Bottle: “I genuinely like and accept it. I think it’s very cute and don’t believe it’s thirst trap.”

Zhiqu: “Clearly it’s thirst trap.”

Zongru: “I don’t like it, but I could accept women around me displaying such a body image.”

The data from this set shows that there is controversy on the issue of appropriateness. Some men think the content is thirst trap, while others find the female figure presented in the video to be cute and not thirst trap. This indicates that the judgment of what is ‘appropriate’ is relatively subjective.

Fourth Set of Images:  Diverging Opinions on Appropriateness and Acceptance

Eric: “I can accept different body images displayed by women around me due to their attire.”

The data from this set indicates that the female body image in the photo is relatively well-received. However, opinions on its appropriateness diverge significantly—some find it extremely appropriate, while others consider it very inappropriate. The level of real-world acceptance of such a female body image corresponds with perceptions of its appropriateness.

Fifth Set of Images: Visual Perception Over Authenticity

In this set of data, most people still like this type of body image. However, there is a declining trend in terms of its appropriateness and whether such a body image displayed by women in reality would be accepted. When I informed them from a female and professional perspective that such body proportions have exceeded normal ranges, and that perhaps both the bust and buttocks are artificial, as well as heavily filtered, their responses were:

C-enen: “The attire looks normal, and the body looks good. As long as it’s pleasing to the eye, it’s fine.”

zhuzhu: “It’s all about the impression, not chasing after whether it’s authentic.”

Piont: “As long as it looks great, it’s fine. Moreover, men like a slightly plump figure.”

Sixth Set of Images: Differing Perceptions of Body Size Between Men and Women

Piont: “This is not slightly plump, this is fat.”

zhuzhu: “What women consider to be slightly plump and what men consider to be slightly plump are different.”

Zhiqu: “Slightly plump means having what you should have, and not having what you shouldn’t have.”

In this set of data, the level of men’s liking for the female body image in the photo has declined compared to the previous sets of photos, but the degree of appropriateness has relatively not changed.

Seventh Set of Photos: Focus on Overall Appearance Rather than Body Shape

zhuzhu: “Men don’t care whether she is confident or not. At the same time, they don’t like the overall makeup and styling. The body shape is actually irrelevant.”

Zhiqu: “Can’t accept the lip piercing.”

This set of data shows that men have a lower level of liking for the female body image in the photo. What they find unlikable is not related to body shape, but other elements that constitute the overall body image, such as disliking the makeup and styling or disliking the lip piercing. While men consistently perceive the female in the picture as confident, they also believe that on the internet, they don’t care whether the female images they see are confident or not.

Eighth Set of Photos: Differing Opinions on Hairstyle but Generally Acceptable

C-enen: “I don’t like girls with short hair; women should have long hair. Even though she looks confident, I don’t like it.”

zhuzhu: “I think the woman’s hairstyle is very cool.”

This set of data shows that men have varying degrees of liking for the female body image in this photo. However, they generally find it appropriate, and the level of acceptance is quite high. Everyone directly expressed their views on the woman’s hairstyle. It can be seen that men have very clear standards for whether or not they like a particular body image.

Discussion of Questions:

• Question 1: Does the daily push of videos about women on TikTok affect how men view women in real life?

Zhiqu: “In my TikTok feed, if out of ten recommended pieces of content, six are thirst trap, then there’s a problem.”

C-enen: “No, absolutely not.”

This shows that as male users, TikTok pushes a large number of thirst trap videos to them through its algorithm. However, they also state that these online depictions do not influence their perceptions of women in real life.

• Question 2: How do you comment on a woman’s body image?

zhuzhu: “No matter what the body image, two or more guys will definitely discuss it, but we won’t comment online.”

C-enen: “If nobody talks to me about it, I won’t comment or discuss a woman’s body image. I definitely won’t discuss it online or engage in cyberbullying.”

This suggests that men are more inclined to discuss a woman’s body image amongst themselves and refrain from participating in online cyberbullying regarding women.

• Question 3: If women around you (friends, or those in intimate relationships) don’t meet your expectations regarding body image, would you ask them to change?

Piont: “I would ask my girlfriend but not others.”

C-enen: “I would, let’s say if my sister was overweight, I’d ask her to lose weight. If she dressed inappropriately, I’d ask her to change. For friends, I wouldn’t say much.”

Zongru: “For family members or girlfriends, it’s more out of concern for their health and protection; I might suggest some changes. For friends, it doesn’t matter.”

This reveals that men might request changes in women’s body images based on their own expectations, potentially under the guise of health concerns. Even if they believe they are only making these requests to the women around them, it actually reflects broader social expectations about women’s body images.

• Question 4: Do you think the women in these social media images (based on the above pictures) are positively expressing their body images?

C-enen: “Based on the pictures, both the woman climbing in yoga pants and the cases on Douyin are not positive. From a male perspective, most women that we like online are not positively showcasing their body image.”

Zhuzhu: “As long as they are not deliberately showing off their bodies, it’s positive. Those who are intentionally displaying their bodies and curves are deliberately seeking attention.”

This question is crucial because their answers reveal that men are quite clear about what they consider to be positive or negative expressions of female body image, and they have standards for it. This means that men have constructed their own expectations regarding female body image, which indirectly reflects society’s expectations and constraints on how women should present themselves.

Discussion on the Crazy Horse Show:

The feedback I received is that men find the Crazy Horse Show beautiful and see nothing abnormal about it; they also believe that such a form of stage expression is aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, they cannot understand why so many people on the internet view this kind of bodily performance as explicit or inappropriate content.

———————————-The above is a discussion and analysis of the data.—————————————

2. Post-Intervention Interview

• Question 1: Before this discussion, had you ever spoken directly with women about the topic of female body image?

C-enen: “I’ve never discussed this topic with women before. I feel that this kind of discussion is quite positive. It’s a completely new experience for me.”

• Question 2: What’s the reason you’ve never discussed this kind of topic directly with women?

C-enen: “I thought that women do not like to discuss this topic; I was afraid it would leave a bad impression on them.”

• Question 3: Will such a discussion change your perception of female body image?

C-enen: “It won’t make a significant change, but occasionally, when I see women on the internet, I recall some of the points made during the discussion.”

• Question 4: Do you think there’s a difference between discussing this topic with men and discussing it with women?

C-enen: “Discussing it with women feels awkward; I can’t speak freely. But with men, I can say a lot more.”

Additional Conversation

After the interview, I had some additional conversation with the interviewee. Suddenly, he asked me a rather private and sensitive question about female body image. I expressed my surprise and then asked, “Would you ask other women this question?” He indicated that he wouldn’t because such a question could offend other women. However, he felt that communicating with me wouldn’t make me angry. I further inquired, “In our previous interactions, what kind of message did I convey to you that made you feel comfortable asking me this question without it being offensive?” He answered, “In past discussions with men on this topic, the content conveyed was always positive.” So he knew that asking me wouldn’t be considered unhealthy, and we could have a positive and proactive conversation.

This dialogue had a profound impact on me. It suggests that the seminar had some effect on men; it appears that they too wish to communicate with women about body image. However, due to their own established perceptions and expectations about female body image, they have created barriers for themselves in communicating with women on this topic.

3. Interview with an Expert

The interviewee for this session is Dr. ZnZ, an expert in social research. He hails from the IOE – Social Research Institute at University College London, London. The reason for interviewing him is twofold: first, he comes from China and has extensive knowledge about Chinese society and men on the internet; second, he is an expert in the field of social research. This is particularly relevant as my current project involves research in social sciences.

• Question 1: What is your perspective on the topic of female body image, especially in the context of Chinese society?

Dr. ZnZ: This topic is quite central in the discussion of gender in China, from my point of view. It also serves as a potential trigger for exacerbating tension between men and women. I believe this is a very meaningful subject to explore. Given that the term “female body” is relatively sensitive in China, the topic is both important and sensitive.

• Question 2: What are your thoughts on the impact of social media platforms like TikTok on people’s perception of female body image?

Dr. ZnZ: I do think it has an impact. Firstly, for men, it starts at a very basic level, which is preference—whether they like or dislike what they see. Then, it evolves into deeper considerations like, “Could I accept a woman who looks like this?” or “How would I feel if my girlfriend dressed like this?” In this logic, men may start to form expectations about women and societal norms. This could indirectly influence how men perceive women’s bodies.

For women, although I’m a man and may have a biased view, I think the impact could lead to body anxiety among women. The way men react to what they see can set expectations for the female community, leading to subconscious thoughts or even guiding behavior. I believe it happens in two main ways: firstly, shaping women’s perceptions of societal expectations and norms for their gender, and secondly, affecting their self-perception, which could result in body anxiety.

• Question 3: Do societal expectations and values regarding female body image influence women’s social behavior and interactions?

Dr. ZnZ: Yes, I believe they do, and they affect not only women but also men. For women, they may take certain actions for specific purposes, such as ‘ thirst trap’ behaviors they believe are correct. If they later feel that such actions are inappropriate, they may change their behavior and may experience feelings of disgust or even aggression. Essentially, this will undoubtedly affect women’s actions, including their level of anxiety.

For men, the impact exists as well. For example, if men enjoy watching videos featuring ‘thirst trap’ behavior, those videos will become popular. This becomes real feedback that men enjoy such content. However, if they consider these actions negative or unacceptable, they might ask their girlfriends not to engage in such behaviors. In this sense, there is a contradiction in their actions—they enjoy watching it but don’t want their partners to act similarly. Therefore, societal expectations and norms do influence behavior on both sides.

• Question 4: What similarities or differences do you see in the issue of female body image under the cultural differences between the East and the West?

I think there are both similarities and differences. The similarity is that men in both cultures enjoy content that thirst trap, which is something we have to admit. As for the differences, they mainly stem from social or cultural variations that lead to different attitudes towards the display of the body. For instance, if we consider traditional Chinese values, the attitude would lean towards conservatism. I would like to clarify that this conservative viewpoint does not stop people from watching boundary-pushing content. However, it does influence their perception, making them subconsciously think it’s not good. This perception, in turn, influences their actions and advice towards their family and partners.

In the West, the impact of traditional culture is less pronounced. Western societies often promote the concept of self-expression, confidence, and being true to oneself, even within their religion and cultural narratives. Individualism is more prevalent. So, I think this is the most significant outcome caused by the social and cultural differences between the two.

• Question 5: Do you have any suggestions for my project? Considering the cultural background of our country, how feasible do you think my project is?

Firstly, I think your project is excellent. As I just mentioned, it’s a very good initiative that could serve as a buffer in the current social context in China, where gender disparity is evident. You can’t expect to solve such significant social issues with just one project, but your project can certainly alleviate some of the tensions, which is commendable.

In terms of feasibility, I think the prospects are quite promising, especially your research on men. The content focusing on women might resemble some of the feminist work being done domestically, not entirely, but somewhat similar. Importantly, I believe that very few people are paying attention to the male perspective. They also need a channel to communicate with women, and I think that’s a very crucial and bright aspect of your project. In China, this viewpoint is quite new, which is excellent.

Through interviews with experts, it’s clear that topics about the female body are still sensitive in China. Meanwhile, men still have a significant impact on women’s body image, both psychologically and behaviorally. The experts believe that the testing and interventions focused on men are key aspects in my project, and this concept is relatively new in China and thus has great feasibility.

Conclusion

Through the intervention, interviews with participants, and consultations with experts, it’s evident that the “Male Gaze” plays a crucial role in shaping societal expectations of female body image. This gaze can trigger psychological and behavioral changes in women, which in turn can incite internal conflicts among them. Additionally, as pointed out in the “Filter Bubble” theory, algorithms may continually push similar content, thereby limiting a user’s exposure to diverse perspectives on female body image. This not only strengthens individual biases toward specific body types but could also exacerbate gender biases and stereotypes.

In the seminars focusing on men, it became clear that men often unconsciously establish expectations regarding female body image. Interviews conducted post-intervention revealed that men find themselves trapped by their own limitations and expectations about female bodies, making it difficult for them to have meaningful conversations with women about body image.

From the expert interviews, it’s apparent that the issue of female body image remains sensitive in China, and can further contribute to gender-based conflicts. Therefore, focusing on men can be an effective way to alleviate such conflicts.

Based on the above findings, I believe that while aiding women in constructing a positive body image, there is also a need to help men reconstruct their perceptions of female body image. Addressing gender issues must be reciprocal, as discussing one gender in isolation often leads to bias and further escalates gender conflict. Men, as the primary shapers of societal expectations around female body image, are at the core of the issue. To resolve it effectively, women need to embrace themselves while minimizing external influences. Meanwhile, men, as the creators of these “disturbances,” should become more aware of the diversity in female body images and adjust their expectations accordingly.

I am planning an intervention on females that will involve 7 days of observation and documentation through various forms of media to gain a deeper understanding of how women perceive and value their bodies. In an intervention about women, respecting the freedom and safety of the participants is central to conducting an effective intervention, and in an environment of complete freedom and safety, participants may be more inclined to express their true thoughts and feelings.

Objectives

In order to gain a deeper understanding of how women perceive and evaluate their bodies, the project will be an intervention through 7 days of multimedia observation and recording, as well as two interviews before and after.

Specific plan 

1,Interview each participant separately before the start of the programme.

Baseline of body perception:

a. How would you describe the current state of your perception of your body?

b. What physical characteristics do you feel most proud of?

Cultural and Social Influences:

a. How do you feel culture or society has influenced your perception of your body?

b. Are there specific social media or online platforms that make you feel negatively influenced about your body?

Emotional and Mental State:

a. How do you typically respond when you feel dissatisfied with your body?

b. How would you describe your emotional connection to your body?

2, Participants choose their own recording method (drawing, photography, text or music, etc.) to observe and record their bodies for 7 days.

Participants can choose the following media to record and observe their bodies:

Drawing: using a drawing board and paints, express the observations and feelings of various parts of the body.

Photography: Record different perspectives and moments of the body through camera or mobile phone.

Words: Compose a diary or essay detailing one’s perceptions and feelings about the body.

Music/Sound: Compose or record music to express the dynamics and rhythms of the body.

3, At the end of the session, interview each participant separately to get feedback.

Observation and Discovery:

a. Did you make any new discoveries or realisations during this intervention?

b. Which form of media (drawing, photography, text, or music) best helped you gain a deeper understanding of your body?

Changes and Impact:

a. Do you feel that this intervention has changed the way you view your body? If so, in what way?

b. Have you gained any new insights or new perspectives on your body?

Future Actions and Recommendations:

a. Based on this experience, do you have any specific action plans to improve your perception of your body?

b. What suggestions or feedback do you have for such an intervention?

Risks and Responses

Data sensitivity: Ensure that all data will be anonymised and that strict ethical guidelines are adhered to.

Participant Withdrawal: Participants will be clearly informed of their right to withdraw at any time prior to the start of the project.

Meanwhile, Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception provided me with an insightful theoretical framework to explore how women perceive and value their bodies in a more systematic and holistic way.Merleau-Ponty emphasises the body as a medium for perceiving the world, rather than just a machine or biological entity. At the end of the intervention, I will analyse the intervention in depth based on this theory.

I am planning an intervention for men. Hosting an online seminar, inviting 6+2 men, 6 in a group and another 2 in a group. I hope to be able to use this dialogue to get a sense of how men view the female body.

In the last men’s seminar, the men invited were all from overseas study backgrounds and art education backgrounds, as well as living in big cities. This time, the men I invited were from different cities in China and from a single cultural background, while all of them were loyal users of TikTok. Excluding the issue of locality, the focus should be on how social media platforms such as Shake Yin have become an influence on the construction of female body image in modern culture.

Motivation

To understand how men perceive female body image, especially with the influence of social media and different socio-cultural contexts.

Objective

To explore the impact of TikTok and other media on men’s views.

To understand how socio-cultural factors shape perceptions of female body image.

Question Design

1. TikTok and Female Body Image: To explore whether they believe that content on TikTok contributes to shaping or prejudicing a particular female body image.
2. Socio-Cultural and Personal Views: Not geographically specific, but discuss whether they believe that growing up in their socio-culture has influenced their views of the female body.
3. Media plurality: What other media or sources of information outside of TikTok have influenced their views?

Detailed Steps

Group 1: Photographs of women who have been subjected to cyber violence

Introductory Question.

“Why do you think these photos sparked online violence?”

“Are these cyberviolences related to societal expectations of women’s body image? How?”

Activity: Have participants share their insights and discuss ways to combat online violence and discrimination.

In-depth analysis: Remind participants to consider how social and cultural factors influence online violence.

Group 2: TikTok Content in which Women Show Their Bodies

Guiding Question.

“Can this content be seen as self-expression of women’s bodies?”

“Does the TikTok platform influence people’s perceptions of this content?”

Activity: Invite participants to share how they see these contents in relation to free expression and social media norms.

In-depth analysis: Explore how social media has shaped or reinforced social and cultural expectations of women’s bodies.

Group 3: Video and photos about the Crazy Horse show in France

Introductory Question.

“How do you feel about the way the female body is displayed in the French Crazy Horse show?”

“How is this different or similar to Groups 1 and 2?”

Activity: Engage participants in a discussion about how this performing art form influences, challenges, or maintains conventional ideas about the female body.

In-depth analysis: Invite participants to compare and contrast the three sets of images and videos to delve deeper into the social and cultural perceptions each reflects.

Through these three sets of content, participants were prompted to view female body image from different perspectives, further challenging or confirming their views.At the same time, by asking participants to rate the “appropriateness” or acceptability of the three different types of graphic content (about cyber violence, TikTok’s images of women, and the Crazy Horse show in France), as well as whether or not the content was pornographic, it was possible to quantify the participants’ responses, and also to observe the perceptions of women’s body image across different societal and cultural contexts. The results can also be used to observe perceptions of female body image in different social and cultural contexts.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I will be applying two academic theories to this seminar, “The Male Gaze” by Laura Mulvey and “The Filter Bubble”. 

“The Male Gaze” by Laura Mulvey: Application and Analysis
Laura Mulvey’s “The Male Gaze” is a theory of film, television and culture derived from her 1975 paper “Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema”, in which she argues that most film and television is constructed through the male point of view (or “gaze”). “) is constructed, not only literally as a point of view, but also in terms of storyline, characterisation, and so on. This perspective often makes women passive objects of observation, reinforcing male initiative and authority while shaping the social expectations of female body image.

Applications in Seminar
1.TikTok and the Male Gaze: In the first session, you can introduce the concept of “The Male Gaze” by asking male participants if they think that female body image content on TikTok is created based on the male gaze. This not only deepens the discussion culturally, but also adds an element of gender power dynamics.
2.Socio-cultural and personal perspectives: In this section, you can further explore how the male gaze is represented and transmitted in different cultural contexts. Whether this perspective influences their own views and whether they are aware of such a gaze.
3.Media plurality: Here, you can discuss which other media platforms besides TikTok may also be channels for the transmission of the male gaze. For example, films, TV and adverts.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Application and Analysis of “The Filter Bubble” in TikTok
“The Filter Bubble” is a concept developed by Eli Pariser in 2011 to describe how social media and search engines use algorithms to tailor the information users see to influence their perceptions and worldviews. These algorithms provide users with customised content based on their search history, interactions and preferences, with the result that users are more likely to be exposed to information that aligns with their own views, while ignoring or avoiding opposing or unfamiliar views.

Applications in Seminar
1. TikTok and the Filter Bubble: You can use the concept of “The Filter Bubble” to explore whether participants believe that TikTok’s algorithm helps to shape or limit their perceptions of women’s body image. The Filter Bubble is likely to be more pronounced, especially on a content-rich, highly personalised platform.
2. Group dynamics: During the discussion, you can further guide participants to think about how TikTok may generate different forms or intensities of filter bubbles across different social groups (e.g., age, gender, cultural background, etc.).

Finally, I would invite psychologists to provide a more in-depth academic explanation of this activity and the targeting of the male gaze and how it affects society’s perception of female body image.

I will focus on the application of the Saunders Research Onion research model to my ‘The Box’ project and how it has inspired and inspired me to reflect on it. This model not only enhanced the multidimensionality of my research approach, but also enabled me to gain a more comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the project.

Firstly, I will delve into how the philosophical perspectives of Symbolic Interactionism and Phenomenology have been applied to my ‘The Box’ project. These two theoretical frameworks not only help to analyse the research questions in greater detail, but also provide new directions for subsequent interventions.

1. Application of Symbolic Interaction Theory in “The Box” Project

Cultural Symbols and Body Image

In Chinese culture, there are many cultural symbols and standards about women’s bodies, such as “thinness is beauty” or “white wealth”. These cultural symbols are spread and reinforced through various channels such as social media, advertisements, films, and family.

The Role of Social Interaction

Women interpret these cultural symbols through their interactions with others (including family, friends, social groups, media, etc.) and form opinions and attitudes about their own bodies accordingly. For example, likes and comments received on social media may be interpreted as approval or disapproval of a certain body image.

Self-perception and Image Construction (Self-perception and Image Construction)

In their interactions with these symbols and others, women perceive and evaluate their body image, which in turn affects their self-esteem and mental health.

2. Phenomenology in the ‘The Box’ project

Recording and Analysing Daily Life

I plan to analyse my target audience by recording their daily lives to gain a deeper understanding of how they perceive and evaluate their bodies. This also provides me with new methods of intervention.

Secondly, the focus is on the research strategies, especially the application of Action Research (AR) and Case Study Research (CSR). These research methods not only enhanced the depth of the project, but also provided diverse avenues for data collection and analysis.

1. Application of Action Research in “The Box” Project

Underlying Principles and Implementation

Action research focuses on solving real problems and improving practice. All my activities, including social media interactions and artwork presentations, followed this model. In this way, I was able to adjust my project strategy in real time and keep a close eye on the dynamic development of the research question.

Feedback and Adjustment

Action research allowed me to make immediate adjustments based on the data and feedback I collected. For example, feedback obtained through social media platforms can be used to amend or optimise subsequent interventions.

2. Application of Case Study in “The Box” Project

Selection and Analysis

In the case study, I plan to select a few representative women for in-depth research and analysis. Doing so will help me to understand and explain the wider social phenomenon from an individual perspective.

Depth and Limitations

Whilst case study research can provide in-depth insight, it has its limitations such as generalisability and extrapolation of data. However, combined with action research, the two approaches can complement each other and provide a more comprehensive analysis.

Overall, a multidimensional, strategic perspective provided by the Saunders Research Onion was used to deepen the understanding and implementation of the project themes. It not only outlines the insights gained from applying the model, but also reflects on its effectiveness in the context of the project.

With the start of Unit 4, now is a good time to summarise the overall progress and reflections from Unit 3. Unit 3 was a milestone because it was at this stage that my research question was clearly focussed and deepened.

Clarification of research questions

The most important development was undoubtedly the further clarification of my research question: ‘How can Chinese cultural perceptions of the female body be challenged, to allow Gen Z females to form a How can Chinese cultural perceptions of the female body be challenged, to allow Gen Z females to form a positive self-image, unconstrained by social expectations?” This question not only provided the direction for my project, but also marked the birth of the name of the project, “the box”.

Motivation and direction: double pressure

With a clear research question in mind, I became more aware of the dual pressures that Gen Z women face from both traditional and modern times due to the constraints of Chinese culture and social media. This became an important motivation and direction for my next action.

Online actions: specific interventions

With a clear research question in mind, I began a series of specific interventions on the Internet. Each step and detailed information can be found in the ‘From What-Why-How-What if to Unit 3’ category.

Social media activities: a wider reach

In addition to project implementation, I was also active on social media, which is an important platform for interaction and information dissemination.

Unit 3 focussed on research question clarification and online interventions. All of these were the result of thoughtful and logical analyses that provided a solid foundation for the project 

Homepage Introduction: Hey, we are “TheBox”! We are “TheBox”, a non-conformist, non-constrictive, and subversive approach to women’s bodies! Unleash the energy of confidence in girls. Join us in redefining beauty, breaking down stereotypes and redefining standards of beauty! We’re going to start a wave of body positive energy!

1, About the box, a box that is about to be opened. ——PV: 443 Likes: 12
2, Decoding “body image” – seeing yourself in the mirror. ——PV: 319 Likes: 12

3, Body image, in-depth exploration and understanding. ——PV: 423 Likes: 10
4, The Body – Public Territory or Private Haven? ——PV: 295 Likes: 5

5, Dual Boundaries of the Body- Public vs. Private ——PV: 599 Likes: 24
6, Nxde: The Queens’ Manifesto of Female Power——PV:1787 Likes: 57

Nxde: A Feminine Power Manifesto for Queens, a note that has received the most views on social media, mainly due to the fact that K-pop is very popular in China and young Chinese women are very fond of it. I also got some positive feedback from fans who left messages asking if I could use what I wrote as a reference for their assignments. Also, some fans collect my notes and put them in an “inspiration” type of folder.

7, A love letter to confidence, love and the universe. ——PV: 495 Likes: 11

This is one of my personal favourite articles. Because, it expresses not only the concepts in my project, but also my understanding of this universe and humanity. I like to express the ultimate romance with something extremely rational. I am very happy whenever someone likes this article.

8, Talking first about the Crazy Horse show – the power and glamour behind the nudity—PV: more than 1500 Likes: 2

Because of this post, I have been subjected to cyber violence, so this post is currently visible only to myself. I felt a deep sense of powerlessness in the face of this fact, which made me wonder whether my project had a purpose and whether it could really make a difference. But on the bright side, since I got a lot of traffic in a short period of time, the number of views on my account went up.

The above data is as of 15 October 2023.

Detailed analyses of each article can be found in the “From What-Why-How-If to Unit 3” category.