What I'm Reading – January 23rd | THE ILLUSIONISTS - a documentary about beauty, body image and globalization

Fat Black Women Feel Good and That Is a Problem

“how the positive attributes of black women are twisted, folded and rejiggered to be negative through a racist and sexist lens…” (read more)

“Kellogg’s Special K tells women their lives could be better, if only they were thin”

From About-Face

“[Kellogg’s Special K] have really outdone themselves with their new campaign, based around the question: “What will you gain when you lose?” [...] These women are in the thrall of what Kate Harding called “the fantasy of being thin.” The fantasy of being thin is the idea that, if you could only change your body, everything in your life would fall into place. According to this fantasy, being thin might give you more friends, a loving significant other, and even the personality you’ve always wanted…” (read more)

Reproducing the Gendered Active/Passive Binary at Target

From Sociological Images:

“I’ve posted in the past about differences I’ve noticed in the language used in signs in the girls’ and boys’ clothing sections at Target, which seemed to reinforce the idea that boys are rough and rowdy while girls are sweet. Eric B. sent in another example that he recently saw in Target’s infants’ department. The store he went to had five aisles; each aisle had a set of large signs along the top. Three of the five were focused on boys, and they all emphasize activities…” (read more)

Raising Confident Daughters: Q&A With Barb Steinberg

From Psychcentral.com:

“It’s hard enough being an adult in today’s world, filled with weight-loss and diet commercials, airbrushed images, a relentless emphasis on appearance and an obsession with dieting and shame around eating. Being a girl? Probably even more confusing and potentially damaging and demoralizing. So what can parents and caregivers do to help girls grow up with a healthy sense of self? Today, I’m pleased to present my interview with clinical social worker Barb Steinberg, who works with girls and parents to build a healthy self-image and body image…” (read more)

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