Body+Image+of+African-American+Women


 * African-American Women **

 Research in the area of African-American women and body image tends to indicate that black American women have a more positive perception of their bodies in comparison to white American women. For example, Falconer and Neville (2000) found that a higher body mass index (BMI) among black women led to more body satisfaction due to their appreciation for larger body parts such as the hips and buttocks. This same study noted that black women tend to have a more positive attitude, which leads them to make what they have work for them. A popular //[|Washington Post] // article supports this research. The majority of this type of research analyzes black body image in comparison to and in context with white body image. Poran (2006) commented that the majority of research on black women’s body image is based on white ideals, constructs and measurements. This tendency can inaccurately attribute more of a positive body image to black women. However, a closer examination of research that compares black American women with one another illustrates a different perception.

= Policy of Protection =  A salient concept in body image research concerning African-American women is the policy of protection. This term refers to the perceived protection of black women from negative images and cognitions of female body representations that are commonly found in mainstream society (Poran, 2006). Some of these “protections” include the black male gaze, black standards of beauty and the “racist paradox” that exists in mainstream media (Poran, 2006). As opposed to white standards of beauty and body image, African-American women tend to uphold the perception of black men as the standard for beauty and body image (School, Ward, Merriweather, & Caruthers, 2004). Black men have a preference for larger body parts particularly larger breasts, buttocks and hips (Poran, 2006). For this reason, a different standard of body image exists in the black community, which simultaneously acts as a “protection” from poor body image. However, according to Poran (2006), black women do feel bombarded with images of thinness, but instead of adherence to this standard black women question it. Additionally, there exists a “racist paradox” in mainstream American media where black women are so underrepresented that they do not see reflections of themselves, and therefore, do not adhere to the standards represented in media (Poran, 2006).

An interesting post titled "Black Girls Struggle with Body Image Too" by Ashley Hicks that counters this idea of protection can be found [|here]. = = = Social Comparison Theory =  A theoretical term that can explain why African-American women do not adhere to white standards of beauty is social comparison theory. The theory purports that people compare themselves to images that they find to be realistic and attainable (Zhang, Dixon, & Conrad, 2009). School et al. (2004) found that African-American women regard the white beauty ideal as unrealistic and unimportant to the black community. Instead, black women tend to be influenced by black standards of beauty found in black media (School et al., 2004). Black media displays a wider range of body types including larger, more curvaceous bodies (School et al., 2004).

Read blogger Erika Nicole Kendall's black woman's perspective on just how unrealistic white images can be in a post titled "[|Black Women, Body Image and Our Relationship to the Life-Sized Barbie]".

= The Black Body Ideal =  A comparison of African-American women with one another depicts a different perception of body image, where black women do not necessarily have the positive image of themselves that is commonly found in prevalent research. The ideal black body emphasizes curves and shapeliness with larger breasts, buttocks, hips and thighs (Capodilupo & Kim, 2014). A lack of such body parts can have negative affects on black women and result in poorer body image (Capodilupo & Kim, 2014). Popular [|black men’s magazines], [|hip hop videos] and other black media commonly display this black body ideal, which can place immense pressure on black women since they are heavily influenced by images of black women in media. Another area of dissatisfaction for black women is skin color (Falconer & Neville, 2000). [|Redmond] (2012) reported that black women are increasingly seeking butt lift surgery, where fat is harvested from other body parts such as the stomach and used to enhance and reshape the butt.

The idea of ethnic identity, where African-American women more closely identify with their own community, greatly influences the desire for the black body ideal (Zhang, Dixon, & Conrad, 2009). Conversely, African-American women who do not identify with their culture tend to express more body dissatisfaction and adhere to the white standard of beauty (Capodilupo & Kim, 2014). The black body ideal can be traced back to African beliefs, where larger bodies were associated with wealth, health, fertility and prosperity (Poran, 2006).

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= Intercultural Competence =  Educators and practitioners, who aspire to work with African-American women on body image, are advised to consider black women within their own community as opposed to in comparison with white beauty standards. African-American women want to be valued as their own persons without constant comparison to a community where they do not see reflections of themselves. Poran (2006) found that black women often feel bombarded with images of whiteness and thinness, and these are images that do not apply to them. Therefore, educators and practitioners are encouraged to use black body standards, images and media to evaluate, analyze and offer interventions in body image for black women.

References

Capodilupo, C. M., & Suah, K. (2014). Gender and race matter: The importance of

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> considering intersections in black women's body image. Journal Of Counseling Psychology, 61(1), 37-49. doi:10.1037/a0034597

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Falconer, J., & Neville, H. A. (2000). African American college women’s

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> body image. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 24(3), 236.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Poran, M. A. (2006). The politics of protection: Body image, social pressures, and the

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> misrepresentation of young black women. Sex Roles, 55(11-12), 739-755. doi:10.1007/s11199-006-9129-5

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Schooler, D., Ward, L., Merriwether, A., & Caruthers, A. (2004). Who's that girl:

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> Television's role in the body image development of young white and black women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 28(1), 38-47. doi:10.1111/j.1471- 6402.2004.00121.x

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;">Zhang, Y., Dixon, T. L., & Conrad, K. (2009). Rap music videos and African American

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 130%;"> women's body image: The moderating role of ethnic identity. Journal of Communication, 59(2), 262-278. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2009.01415.x