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Abstract

One in five adults has felt shame due to their body image, with that statistic increasing to an estimated 60% of American Teens (Beechey, 1979, p.66). The severity of those statistics demands for research around such topics to be discussed, to find explanations of body image struggles and to raise awareness of them. Furthermore, this dissertation explores the pressures of body ideals and perfections for young women, imposed by a contemporary society. Using qualitative data collected in small focus groups followed by a thematic analysis, this essay will aim to discuss in depth the results of women’s experiences to answer a set of specific research questions. Current literature provides deep explanations of these pressures in society and some causes, yet there is a lack of literature and research on qualitative data on young women’s personal experiences. Most particularly, a lack of literature of young females experiences of how they view their body throughout university and through the use of social media. The research consisted of dividing 16 participants into small focus groups, who fell in the age bracket of 18-23 year old females. After collecting 6 hours of data, transcribing the results and coding them, a thematic analysis was used to discuss and break down each theme found within the data. For example, a conclusion of four themes were found within the data, each explaining the female participants experience’s with body image and their struggles; ‘The skinny ideal’, ‘opinions of others’, ‘opinions of self’ and ‘comparison with other women’. Additionally, factors such as childhood, opinions from peers with authority such as health professionals and social media all contributed to their struggles with body image. Results also explained that even when participants complimented themselves, the compliments were in comparison to the beauty standards in society of having smaller features both in physique and facially. The most surprising and significant conclusion was that the female participants, as they grew older, became critical consumers of social media. Therefore showing they now recognise the toxic sides and beneficial sides of social media to use to their advantage rather than disadvantage.

Course: Sociology and Criminology - BSc (Hons) - C0979

Date Deposited: 2022-05-16

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13898.html