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From: cel@cs.duke.EDU (Chris Lane)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: Female human aesthetics
Message-ID: <658773520@romeo.cs.duke.edu>
Date: 16 Nov 90 16:51:44 GMT
Organization: Duke University Computer Science Dept.; Durham, N.C.
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In article <19158@oolong.la.locus.com> judy@altair.la.locus.com (Judy Leedom Tyrer) writes:

>I remember an interesting theory of beauty which drew a significant
>correlation between what is considered beautiful and the diseases of
>that time period.  The conclusion was that beauty = health.

>In the 60s heart attacks became a prime killer of humanity.  And there
>was a direct link made between obesity and heart failure.  So "think
>was in".

Oohh-- USAocentric statement there.  These connections you're showing are
true, but these examples are western industrial.

>Lately, AIDS is the greatest fatality fear.  Since AIDS victims tend
>to become quite skinny, there is an increase in weight seen in models.
>If you compare the swimsuit models of today with those of 10 years
>ago, you will notice that there are fewer rib cages showing and more
>muscular thighs and buttocks.

How is this working in Africa?  Do they even have the same saturation
by media/fashion people that our culture breathes in?  Also, is it that
beauty == the negation of fear of death, or that beauty == health?
Why does our culture keep putting up images of the ideal human body?

To relate to feminism, the idea of "correct bodies" seems to have more
function in harming people, separating them from their assigned gender
role (making them uneasy and hence willing to spend money and betray
friends and deny feelings to re-emphasize their gender) in many cases,
physically harming people (from corsets to anorexia) Also in giving
them something personal to work on, absorbing energy from trying to
change society.  Dieting both takes actual work and concentration, and
lowers metabolism and general energy.

In my opinion, the idea of an ideally beautiful body is based on a
loathing of actual bodies.

>My $0.02,
>Judy

Chris Lane
--
cel@cs.duke.edu
Confusion can be both pleasant and helpful.
I am moving from North Carolina before the seating of the next congress.