Women and Body Image: A Sociological Study of Women in India

Abstract

The narrative of the body holds an important place in the studies on gender and its relation to society. Body image arises with one having a physical body and an awareness of how it is viewed by others or oneself. Studies conducted by various academic researchers, fashion trend analyst and others found that both women and men all over the world seem to be in favour one ideal body type, that is, a slim, tall and perfectly proportionate body. This paper attempts to analyse the notion of beauty and body image ideals among Indian women and present any similarities or differences it may have with the rest of the world. Women are influenced by what they see every day on the TV, Internet and foreign print magazines. The influence is visible by the change in health consciousness and body weight among women  who make efforts to change how they look. The huge boom in the beauty industry and slimming clubs are testimony of this change. However, the changes among Indian women are varied and differ from place to place or economic status of the person.