WGST 1F90 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Eurocentrism, Hegemonic Masculinity, Ageism

• School: Brock University
• Department: Women's and Gender Studies
• Course: WGST 1F90
• Professor: Jenny Janke

Document Summary

The development of a young woman"s identity begins at birth, but during adolescence messages about what is means to be feminine take hold. Body becomes highly regulated at young age. Monolithic beauty: in the west, based upon white, able body, hetero, middle class notions of idealized beauty. Beauty as constructed and changing over time. Goal is consistent to be beautiful, sexy, alluring. Power to control appearance is legitimate form of power for women. Power to have others react to our appearance (object of gaze) is double edged sword. Power to fit it," demonstrate correct" versions of femininity. Versions of power presented to women by patriarchal capitalism. Presented with supposedly endless choices" concerning body. We rarely notice this lack of legitimate choice. Hierarchy created in terms of how closely women reach (or not) the standard of white beauty. Closer to ideal results in increased power, acceptance. Body projects include: skin lightening, hair straightening .