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Body Image

Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women, and Children

• By Sarah Grogan

• Price: $35.00
• Binding: Paperback (also available in Hardback)
• Pages: 264
• Published by: Routledge
• Publication Date: 20th July 2007
• Illustrations: 14 b+w photos
• ISBN: 978-0-415-35821-7

About the Book

Body Image: Understanding Body Dissatisfaction in Men, Women and Children presents a review of what is presently known and the results of some new research on body image. It compares the effects of gender, sexuality, social class, age and ethnicity on satisfaction with the way we look and suggests how these differences arise. Why, for instance, are heterosexual men much happier with their body images than women or gay men?
Sarah Grogan discusses the effect of media presentation of the ideal body and other cultural influences. Surprisingly, despite the almost exclusive media preference for very young female bodies, she finds that older women are not less satisfied with their bodies than younger women.
Written for readers from a variety of disciplines, this clear and eclectic book will make the ideal text for students from psychology, sociology, gender and media studies.

Reviews

"Grogan has provided a thorough and comprehensive revision that belongs on the bookshelf of any clinician, researcher, or student interested in the fascinating field of body image. Interest in the topic of body image has expanded dramatically in the last decade, and each of the new and emerging areas are included in this book, including men's body image, cross-cultural perspectives, and avenues for enhancing body satisfaction. This book provides a roadmap for future research." - J. Kevin Thompson, Department of Psychology, University of South Florida

"In her revised volume, Professor Grogan leaves no stone unturned in telling the scientific and cultural stories of human embodiment. She is scrupulous in her psychological scholarship and articulate in her prose. Readers will be both fascinated and edified by this book’s thoughtful coverage of a subject that so deeply affects our lives." - Thomas F. Cash, Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University and Editor-in-Chief of Body Image: An International Journal of Research

"Sarah Grogan has offered a fine overview of contemporary knowledge in the field of body image. She summarizes, makes sense of, and organizes a vast array of research into one thoughtful, but very readable and easily digested volume, while at the same time capturing the vitality and excitement of research in body image." - Professor Marika Tiggemann, School of Psychology, Flinders University

Table of Contents

Introduction. Culture and Body Image. The Idealization of Slenderness. The Basis of Body Shape Ideals. Summary. Women and Body Satisfaction. Assessment of Body Satisfaction. Social Construction of Femininity. Summary. Men and Body Satisfaction. Assessment of Body Satisfaction. Social Construction of Masculinity. Summary. Media Effects. Media Portrayal of the Body. Mass Communication Models. Recent Developments. Reducing the Effects of Media Imagery. Summary. Age, Social Class, Ethnicity and Sexuality. Body Image across the Lifespan. Ethnicity and Body Satisfaction. Social Class and Body Satisfaction. Body Shape, Sexual Attractiveness and Sexuality. Summary. Conclusions and Implications. Groups with Low Body Satisfaction. Development of a Positive Body Image. General Conclusions. Summary.

About the Author(s)

Sarah Grogan has been involved in research into body image since 1990. She is particularly interested in promoting positive body image in men, women and children, with a particular focus on the impact of body image and related behaviors on physical health.