Understanding the Self

Influence of Media: In today’s society, physical appearance is a significant

concern, largely shaped by media representations and societal standards.

Goffman's Perspective: According to sociologist Erving Goffman (1971),

individuals are motivated by the desire to manage how others perceive them. This
concern drives people to adjust their behavior and presentation to create
favorable and appropriate images.

Self-Presentation: Self-presentation encompasses not only social behaviors but

also the physical aspects of a person. How one presents their physical self plays a
crucial role in social interactions and perceptions.

1. The Self as Impacted by the body

The Body as a Central Aspect of Self:

Across various disciplines (psychology, sociology, anthropology, religious studies, and health
studies), the physical body is recognized as a crucial component of self and identity. William
James described the self as encompassing the body, family, reputation, possessions, etc.,
while Russell Belk included these as part of our "extended self." The physical self refers to the
tangible, observable aspect of a person, primarily experienced through the body.

Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives:

William James, Erik Erikson, and Sigmund Freud all emphasized the body's fundamental role in
shaping personality and experience. Maurice Merleau-Ponty highlighted the body as central
to human existence and our understanding of the world. We experience and interpret the
world through our senses and bodies, using our bodies to express ourselves and articulate
aspects of identity such as gender, class, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and religion.

Sociological Inquiries:

Sociology explores the social significance of the body by examining questions such as:

 How much control do individuals have over their bodies?

 How important is the body to self-development and daily life?
 What body images influence self and others' expectations?

Body Culture and Body Studies:

From the late 1970s onward, a growing interest in the body emerged across humanities and
social sciences, termed "body culture." Sociologists like Ulrich Beck and Anthony
Giddens viewed the body as a fixed point of self-identity. This interest led to the development
of "body studies," a significant field within anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies.
Examples of Body Culture Changes:

 Dress Reform and Nudism: Changes in dress and the acceptance of the naked body
reflected broader societal shifts.
 Suntanned Skin: The shift from valuing pale skin to suntanned skin, associated with
sport, impacted social distinctions.
 Mass Sports and Disciplined Bodies: Gymnastics and fitness training exemplify how
the body is disciplined and shaped according to rules of order.

2. The Impact of Culture on Body Image and Self-Esteem

Culture, Body Image, and Self-Esteem: The Pursuit of Beauty

Cultural Standards of Beauty:

Societal ideals of beauty are shaped by cultural and historical influences, often tied to notions
of attractiveness and hard work. Current Western standards frequently emphasize features like
blond hair, light skin, and a tall, slim physique. This emphasis on specific physical attributes
creates pressure to conform.

The Importance of Physical Appearance:

Physical appearance holds significant weight in many societies, influencing judgments and
choices, as illustrated by examples like choosing a bridesmaid based on appearance. While
some individuals naturally possess features aligning with beauty standards, many others do
not. This discrepancy often leads to dissatisfaction, sometimes prompting individuals to seek
surgical alterations like breast augmentation or liposuction to achieve a more idealized
physique. These procedures, while seemingly straightforward, can have unforeseen
consequences. The pursuit of the ideal body—muscular for men ("Adonis" body), and a
curvaceous figure for women ("Coca-Cola" body)—is widespread, placing significant strain on
individuals.

Body Image and Identity:

Body image, encompassing how we perceive our attractiveness and believe others perceive us,
is both personal and social. It's a crucial aspect of identity, particularly during adolescence.
The field of body image studies explores how social constructs of ideal bodies (based on
beauty, gender, race, class, and disability) influence identity formation and social roles.

Beauty: Internal and External:

Beauty is multifaceted, encompassing both inner qualities (inner beauty) and physical
characteristics (external beauty). External beauty, often defined as pleasing visual qualities
(shape, color, form), is heavily emphasized in many cultures. Symmetry and proportionality are
often associated with attractiveness and perceived health.

Aesthetic Capital:

The increasing influence of aesthetic-based cultural goods has led to the concept of "aesthetic
capital"—the social and economic advantages derived from possessing desirable physical
traits, grooming habits, and clothing.
3. The Role of Culture in Shaping Body Image and Self-Esteem
Culture's Defining Influence:

Culture, encompassing shared beliefs, behaviors, and habits (both material and symbolic),
profoundly shapes our understanding of ourselves, including our body image and self-esteem.
This influence is multifaceted, impacting how we perceive our bodies, feel about our
appearance, and interact with others. Social scientists like Harry Triandis emphasize the role of
group interaction in shaping the self within a cultural context.

Body Image: A Cultural Construct:

Body image is not solely a personal, internal experience; it's also shaped by external cultural
forces. Our visual perception of our bodies, feelings about our appearance, self-talk, and how
we believe others view us are all influenced by cultural norms and ideals. Kenney and Nichols
highlight the increasing focus on the body as a subject of study, influenced by technological
advancements, body modification practices, media portrayals of obesity, and aging. We
actively shape and manipulate our bodies daily through clothing choices, hair styling, weight
management, and even extreme body modifications, merging flesh and technology. Culture
dictates standards of beauty, influencing how we should look, dress, and maintain our weight.

Body Modification and Adornment:

Across cultures, individuals modify and adorn their bodies to meet cultural beauty standards,
religious obligations, and social expectations. Body adornment (temporary enhancements like
hairstyles, makeup, jewelry, and clothing) and body modification (permanent alterations like
tattoos, piercings, and surgery) are integral to creating and recreating personal and social
identities.

Pop Culture's Impact on Adolescent Self-Definition:

Audrey Tramel points out the significant impact of pop culture on adolescents' self-
perception, social interactions, and expression of maturation. Pop culture, widely accepted by
the public, influences how teenagers define themselves. For example, the popularity of K-pop
groups like EXO has led Filipino teenagers to emulate their style and behavior, influencing
their self-definition. This self-definition is intrinsically linked to self-esteem and confidence,
vital components of healthy development.

Pop Culture as a Benchmark:

Research suggests that pop culture provides benchmarks for adolescents' self-definition.
Teenagers adopt characteristics from celebrities and models they see in pop culture, shaping
their self-image. This process directly impacts their self-esteem and confidence, influencing
their overall well-being and future development.

4. The Impact of Media on Adolescent Perceptions of Beauty

How Media Shapes Beauty Standards:
Media, including movies, television, and the internet, significantly influences how adolescents
perceive beauty. This influence extends beyond simple aesthetic appreciation and deeply
impacts self-esteem and behavior.

Key Findings and Observations:

Identification and Emulation: Teenagers often identify with actors and actresses,
aspiring to emulate their appearance and even their mannerisms. This leads to
copying hairstyles, clothing styles, and even dialogue from movies, driven by a desire
to feel good about themselves and improve their perceived attractiveness.

Appearance-Based Preferences: The attractiveness of actors and actresses heavily

influences adolescents' movie preferences. Films featuring exceptionally good-looking
personalities are more likely to be favored.

Product Influence: Exposure to commercials and product placements leads to

immediate interest in trying new products, especially those endorsed by favorite
celebrities. This highlights the power of celebrity endorsement in shaping consumer
behavior among young people.

Negative Emotional Responses: Exposure to idealized images of beauty in media

can trigger negative emotions in adolescents. Seeing exceptionally attractive
individuals on TV or online can lead to feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction with
their own appearance, and even depression.

The Broader Implications:

The media's pervasive influence on adolescent perceptions of beauty has far-reaching

consequences:

Body Image Issues: The emphasis on unrealistic beauty standards can contribute to
body image issues, eating disorders, and low self-esteem.

Consumerism: The constant bombardment of advertisements and product

placements encourages consumerism and materialistic values.

Social Comparison: The tendency to compare oneself to idealized images in media

can lead to feelings of inadequacy and social anxiety.

5. Self-Esteem and Its Significance

Definition: Self-esteem is often described as self-worth or self-respect and is crucial

for achieving success in various aspects of life.

Consequences of Low Self-Esteem:

 Feelings of defeat and depression.

 Increased likelihood of making poor choices.
 Risk of entering destructive relationships.
  Inability to reach one’s full potential.

Consequences of High Self-Esteem:

 Excessive self-esteem can manifest as narcissism.

 Can irritate others and harm personal relationships.

The Concept of Self-esteem

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is your overall sense of self-worth or personal value—how much you appreciate
and like yourself. It's a relatively stable personality trait, influenced by your beliefs about your
appearance, abilities, emotions, and behaviors. A balanced, realistic, and positive self-view is
ideal. Extremes—either excessively high or low self-esteem—can be detrimental.

Where Does Self-Esteem Come From?

Self-esteem develops from a complex interplay of factors:

External Factors: Feedback from caregivers, family, friends, and society significantly
shapes self-esteem. Consistent criticism or negativity can lead to low self-esteem.

Internal Factors: Your own thoughts, beliefs, and self-perception play a crucial role.
Age, health, disabilities, and life circumstances also influence self-esteem.

The Impact of Self-Esteem:

Self-esteem profoundly affects various aspects of life:

Motivation and Success: Healthy self-esteem fuels motivation, enabling individuals to pursue
and achieve goals with confidence and assertiveness. Low self-esteem can lead to self-doubt
and hinder success.

Relationships: Low self-esteem can lead to unhealthy relationships, while excessively high
self-esteem (narcissism) can damage relationships due to entitlement and a lack of empathy.

Mental Health: Low self-esteem is linked to depression and an increased tolerance for
abusive situations.

Maslow's Hierarchy: Maslow highlighted the importance of both self-respect and esteem
from others for personal growth and self-actualization.
 Developing Self-esteem
To overcome such adverse effects on the issues of self-esteem, here are our best insight on
how to strike a balance between accurate self-knowledge and respect for who you are.

You need to develop a positive body image which involves:

a. understanding that healthy, attractive bodies come in many shapes and sizes;
b. physical appearance says very little about our character or value as a person;
c. how we get to this point of acceptance often depends on our individual
development and self-acceptance.

To get to that all important point of balance, there are a few steps we can take:

a. Talk back to the media and speak our dissatisfaction with the focus on appearance;
b. De-emphasize numbers as pounds, kilograms or inches, feet and meters on the scale; they
don’t tell us anything meaningful about the body as a whole or our health;
c. Stop comparing ourselves with others and remember that each one is unique;
d. We need to appreciate and enjoy our bodies in the uniqueness of what we have;
e. Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with food, activity, and their
bodies;
f. Question the degree to which self-esteem depends on our appearance because basing our
happiness on how we look is likely to lead us to failure and frustration, and may therefore
prevent us from finding true happiness;
g. Broaden our perspective about health and beauty by reading about body image cultural
variances, or media influence and check out a local art gallery paying-particular attention to
fine art collections that show a variety of body types throughout the ages and in different
cultures;
h. Recognize that size prejudice is a form of discrimination, as shape and size are not
indicators of character, morality , intelligence, or success;
i. Approach health and well-being from a firm and socially engaging perspective and put
importance on a healthy lifestyle and;
j. Keep in mind that the body, in whatever shape or size, is good and sacred, having been
created in the image and likeness of god. Such body deserves love and respect.