A STUDY ON GENDER STEREOTYPES AND BODY DISSATISFACTION

Abstract

People often correlates the gender and the body (or sex) as a person’s identity. However, it is not true in every aspect as the body is referred to the biological physical variance whereas the gender is how an individual is being identified. This study reveals the perspectives of youth between the ages of 15 to 25 concerning the gender and body image. This study was undertaken using open-ended questionnaire with a sample of 60 persons, half of which were men and half were women. Equal number of men and women having ectomorphic, endomorphic and mesomorphic body types were taken as sample. It was found that both adolescents and young adults with different body types were obsessed with their bodies. Individuals having mesomorphic physique reported positive reviews about their body, whereas endomorphic and ectomorphic body types reported pessimistic evaluation with respect to their body image. Body dissatisfaction was rational across the gender. Most of the women wants an ideal body like a Barbie doll with slim waist and other signifiers of sexiness. Whilst men wants the body like an WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) action figure with massive set of muscles in the upper torso, ‘six packs’ of abdominal muscles and leanness with muscularity. In addition to this, young adults believes that ideal body image can help them achieve more social success and acceptance. Therefore, providing proper guidance to these youngsters regarding healthy body and gender stereotypes can have a positive impact on their mental health and can improve their self worth.