The concept of body image is all around us, and fact is, society depicts the
type of body image we tend to work for. Images of bodies appear everywhere in our
daily lives, whether it be on the latest TVB drama series, in advertisements in MTR
stations or even on social media websites like Facebook! We see articles and
tabloids often discussing the latest fashion trends or the newest skincare products
and to this day, they remain popular subjects for discussion. Almost everybody is
perfectly aware and conscious of the type of body image they project.
From the Marilyn Monroe era in the 1950s where voluptuous curves were
desired, to the present where super skinny models dominate covers of magazines,
[1]
ideal body images for men and women have been evolving throughout time. Just
last year, after the whole Abercrombie and Fitch opening
[2]
frenzy and the models
that came along with it, the ideal body image for men and women in Hong Kong
started to transform. Girls and women tended to strive for slenderness – a body
without any flabby or ‘loose’ parts. The fairer their skin the better, which is a trend
that the Chinese have followed for as long as I can remember. A woman should
have young, dewy, hairless, acne-free skin with hair that is luscious, long and
smooth.
[3]
Of course, she should be young and rather athletic and shouldn’t be
physically disabled. Her intelligence doesn’t matter much, as long as she is
physically attractive. If we considered society’s superficial idea of the perfect body
image based on the average fashion model, we would think a perfect woman was
about 5’10″ and weighed only 100 pounds.
[4]
There is a big discrepancy between
these figures and reality in Hong Kong’s society. It surprises me how easily and
clearly society can depict a woman’s ‘beauty’ and define ‘perfection’, putting
immense pressure on the average woman.
For men, the average fashion model, is about 6’1″ and only weighs about 160
pounds.
[4]
This isn’t as outrageously thin as female models, but is still thinner than
the regular guy. The ‘ideal’ body of a man has to be relatively tall, muscular, have
good skin with a chiseled jawline and facial features. Virtually every study of body
image still confirms that the medium, V-shaped, athletic physique of the
mesomorph represents the masculine ideal for women. Of course, the rise of gym
culture in recent years has put pressure on men being healthy, fit and athletic.
[5]
They now strive to own big chests, six packs, a slim waist and even a ‘mermaid
line’. Unfortunately, many people see these pictures of bodybuilders and celebrities
