The marketing of self-hatred to women and girls Industries built on the reconfiguration of female bodies

Women’s bodies as commodity

19 th century weight loss program

Size is relative, or is it? Mannequin in the foreground is size 14, average size of an adult woman in the United States. Mannequins in the rear are the sizes (0 and 2) used in store displays.

Hunter College Professor of Geography Joni Seager (Atlas of Women in the World, 2009) 42% of girls in grades want to be thinner 81% of 10 y/o girls are afraid of being fat 80% of 13 y/o girls have attempted to lose weight

Fetishes are commonplace

Never ending cycle of self-hatred … American Society of Plastic Surgery (2009) Women comprise 91% of all surgeries 11 million cosmetic procedures a year Girls 13-19, 2% Women 40-54, highest ratio Heidi Montag Before/After (2010)

Eating disorders on the rise (South Carolina Department of Mental Health, 2011) 8 million Americans have an eating disorder Eating disorders have highest mortality rate of any mental illness Mortality rate with anorexia is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL causes of death for females 15 – 24 years old. Anorexia is 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents 95% of those with eating disorders are between 12 and 25 years 50% of girls between ages of 11 and 13 see themselves as overweight 80% of 13-year-olds have attempted to lose weight

Athletes can be at risk Aimee MullinsMagdalena Wodtke

Latinas may lighten skin tone or hair, in addition to other external approaches

Essence Magazine: 53% of African American women readers are at risk of an easting disorder

Asian American women

Until we can provide girls and boys with new models, we will replicate unhealthy gendered behaviors The PrincessThe Warrior