Body image has been a problem among women, because society has always defined the "perfect" body that a women should have. Throughout decades, the image of how women should look has changed, but there has always been a body figured shamed for not looking a certain way. There hasn't been a decade in which acknowledges all sizes and body shapes. In this blog post, you will be able to read and see the "perfect" body image of women during a certain decade.
The 1950's
During this decade, in order to have the "perfect" body you needed to have a busty, voluptuous hourglass type of look. Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly were models that were able to portray this body image during this decade. Because more and more Hollywood films were becoming popular, these films pushed models like Marilyn Monroe, creating public consciousness. Since the freedom of material had increased after the war time rationing, the options that women had were large once again. The expansion of resources meant that women had to take full advantage of them and look their very best every time. 
The 1960's
The 1960's was a decade of full change. It was a decade of social changes and that meant that the ideals that society had in the 1950's were really different from those in the 1960's. Some of those changes that contradicted the 1950's was the sexual revolution, and the image of the perfect woman was being thin and androgynous. A famous model during this decade that showed the perfect body image was Twiggy. The model only weighted 112 lb and this new shift of beauty left the whole idea of curves behind.
The 1970's
During this decade, the whole idea of being thin would continue from the 1960's. However, the whole idea of being thin would begin to impact the health of women and their eating habits. Anorexia nervosa would begin to receive mainstream coverage and this era would also see the rise of diet pills, which would be extremely dangerous and decrease the appetite of food. During this time, long hair was in style and wearing less make up to get the natural look.
The 1980's
The ideas of the 1970's continued in the 1980's but in this decade there was a push on fitness. During this time exercise shows and fitness videotapes became a big trend. During this decade, the "perfect" body was more slenderness and having a greater height. This decade would also be known for its rise on supermodels. Sixty percent of Playboy's models weighted less than 15% of a healthy average weight.
The 1990's
The 1990's was a decade that continued the dangerous trend, and the "perfect" body during this decade would expect women to maintain an increasingly thin look, and have large breasts as well. During this time, the models were no longer healthy but rather the idea of how women should look was thin and a bony appearance, and this would be seen in Calvin Klein advertisements.
Today
Body image among women continue to be a problem, and there is still a problem of women not having enough confidence in their own body. 20 years ago less than 8% weighted less than an average healthy woman, but now at least 23% of women weight less than a healthy average woman. The definition of "plus size" has also decreased, 20 years ago a plus size would be between the sizes of 12 to 18, but now you would be considered a "plus size" if you are between the sizes of 6 to 14. The gap between the body sizes has increased, but social media has brought to attention the problem with anorexia and body shaming as well.
Sources:
http://www.rehabs.com/explore/womens-body-image-and-bmi/
The 1960's
The 1960's was a decade of full change. It was a decade of social changes and that meant that the ideals that society had in the 1950's were really different from those in the 1960's. Some of those changes that contradicted the 1950's was the sexual revolution, and the image of the perfect woman was being thin and androgynous. A famous model during this decade that showed the perfect body image was Twiggy. The model only weighted 112 lb and this new shift of beauty left the whole idea of curves behind.
The 1970's
During this decade, the whole idea of being thin would continue from the 1960's. However, the whole idea of being thin would begin to impact the health of women and their eating habits. Anorexia nervosa would begin to receive mainstream coverage and this era would also see the rise of diet pills, which would be extremely dangerous and decrease the appetite of food. During this time, long hair was in style and wearing less make up to get the natural look.
The 1980's
The ideas of the 1970's continued in the 1980's but in this decade there was a push on fitness. During this time exercise shows and fitness videotapes became a big trend. During this decade, the "perfect" body was more slenderness and having a greater height. This decade would also be known for its rise on supermodels. Sixty percent of Playboy's models weighted less than 15% of a healthy average weight.
The 1990's
The 1990's was a decade that continued the dangerous trend, and the "perfect" body during this decade would expect women to maintain an increasingly thin look, and have large breasts as well. During this time, the models were no longer healthy but rather the idea of how women should look was thin and a bony appearance, and this would be seen in Calvin Klein advertisements.
Today
Body image among women continue to be a problem, and there is still a problem of women not having enough confidence in their own body. 20 years ago less than 8% weighted less than an average healthy woman, but now at least 23% of women weight less than a healthy average woman. The definition of "plus size" has also decreased, 20 years ago a plus size would be between the sizes of 12 to 18, but now you would be considered a "plus size" if you are between the sizes of 6 to 14. The gap between the body sizes has increased, but social media has brought to attention the problem with anorexia and body shaming as well.
Sources:
http://www.rehabs.com/explore/womens-body-image-and-bmi/
I appreciate this blog post a lot for its sensitivity on the matter. I wonder, do you think we have become more accepting or less accepting of body image over the years? I feel like as you mentioned, social media has made it very clear that body shaming is a real issue. However, I also constantly see signs that we as a society have been opening up to all kinds of body types. Do you think this kind of tolerance (and intolerance) existed back when social media did not exist to facilitate ideas as quickly? Was following the "ideal" body part simply the norm that most people complied with without speaking out, as people do today?
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