The Body Project summary

The Emergence of the Body Project

In The Body Project, author Joan Jacobs Brumberg examines the major shift in female adolescence that occurred over the past century. The book begins by exploring the diaries of Victorian women, finding that they focused more on improving their 'character', valuing qualities like virtue and kindness. With the onset of the 20th century, however, a psychological shift occurred leading to the 'body project' where girls started to focus more on physical desirability which they deemed as their passport to happiness and success.

Brumberg points out that this shift was a result of various cultural, medical, and commercial influences. Industrialization meant more available consumer goods, advertising played on people's insecurities to sell these products, and the medical community began to pathologize normal physical variations. These, combined with changes in family structure and societal norms, resulted in young women fixating on physical appearance.

The Correlation between Self-Image and Health

Brumberg highlights the correlation between this change and the rise of certain health issues: eating disorders, teen pregnancy, and cosmetic surgery. The emphasis on physical appearance led young women to strive for an unrealistic 'ideal body', often resulting in unhealthy behaviors like extreme dieting and purging. The sexualization of female bodies amplified the pressure, leading to an increase in teenage pregnancies. Dysmorphia or dissatisfaction with their bodies led more women to consider cosmetic surgery at a young age.

In a granular study of the societal effects, the book discusses how the 'body project' influences girls' performance in school, competition between girls, and their interactions with boys. With increasing focus on appearance, many young girls put less effort into their academic achievements. It also added a layer of complexity to their relationships, fostering unhealthy competition for boys' attention.

Feminism, Commercialization, and the 'Body Project'

In The Body Project, Brumberg voices concern over feminism's role in reinforcing this harmful trend by promoting body ownership. Despite its inherent positive intention to encourage autonomy, Brumberg suggests it also unknowingly boosted the commercial pressures promoting self-modification. With the rise of commercialization, the author observes how industries exploit women's anxieties about their bodies and exacerbate the 'body project'.

One of the noteworthy points Brumberg brings up is how modern society has medicalized the natural processes of the female body: puberty, menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. By categorizing them as 'medical problems', commercial and medical enterprises can profit from women's perceived need to 'correct' these processes, further deepening societal expectations of women's bodies.

A Call for Change

Coming to the end of the book, Joan Jacobs Brumberg provides solutions to combat the unhealthy influences of the 'body project'. She emphasizes the importance of adopting a broader perspective of beauty and promoting the values of character over looks. She calls for educating girls about how societal, commercial, and medial influences try to shape their perceptions and assert control over their bodies.

In conclusion, The Body Project provides a deep exploration of the changing relationship between girls and their bodies. It delves into the historical, cultural, medical, and commercial influences that have cultivated the 'body project' in young women. This book acts as a stark reminder of the need to redefine body image for the psychological and physical health of young women.