Critique of Rice’s Beauty Culture: Women as Self-Making Projects

Question 1: Review and critique (with personal examples) Rice’s Beauty Culture and discuss her idea that women see themselves as “self-making projects”. REVIEW RICE’S BEAUTY CULTURE /5 MARKS Body trends ( fat, skinny, anorexic, curvy ) Clara Rice suggests that it is evident that our bodies are the bases of empowerment and confidence, but they are also subject to social sanctions and testing. Ex: women that get their entire bodies painted do it as a way of art and empowerment, and a way to encourage other women to be confident in their own bodies because their bodies are a work of art. In return to receive positive feedback and receiving multiple confident boosting comments. Men see it as sexualization and objectification, they proceed to stare in a sexual manner instead of a piece of artistry. Around the 16th centuries, mirrors became more acclaimed and homes started having them more. It is evident that beauty comes from the inside, but as social marketing companies promoting women as needing to look certain was has made women more self-conscious every day by increasing the importance of the male gaze. Ex: magazine covers usually put skinny pretty girls SELF MAKING PROJECTS /5 MARKS Women modify themselves after seeing the ideal body. They strive to be better and reach a goal that cannot be achieved, it is always an ongoing project. Women will never be satisfied because of the “ideal body “ or “body norms” constantly change. A large part of rice’s concept is the influencers like the Kardashians who use skinny tea and high smile to help you change your appearance or look “perfect”. and the media. The media uses sexualization and degradation to sell products. ( Capitalism ) EXAMPLE /5 MARKS As I got older and throughout the years on social media purchased magnified vanity mirrors to see my flaws and full body mirrors to look and critique my outfits before I went out. When I was younger I never used to have any of these items because my image was not my biggest concern like it is now. Throughout the years going through social media has influenced me to care about how I appear to others more than what I think about my own appearance

Question 1: Review and critique (with personal examples) Rice’s Beauty Culture and discuss her idea that women see themselves as “self-making projects”. In Clara Rice’s notion of Beauty Culture represents that it is evident that our bodies are the bases of empowerment and confidence but is also exposed to scrutiny and social sanctions. For instance, women that get their entire bodies painted do it as a way of art and empowerment, and a way to encourage other women to be confident in their own bodies because their bodies are a work of art. In exchange, receive positive feedback and receiving multiple confident boosting comments. Although these women see our bodies as a site of agency’s, Men see it as sexualization and objectification, they proceed to stare in a sexual manner instead of a piece of artistry. Around the 16th centuries, mirrors became more acclaimed and homes started having them more. This made more people become more uncomfortable in their own bodies and unhappy about their appearance. It is evident that beauty comes from the inside, but as social marketing companies promoting women as needing to look certain ways has now made the outer qualities to be more important than what's within, and this decreases women's confidence by increasing the importance of the male gaze. This introduces Rice’s concept of women observing their bodies to be a “self-making project”. Women modify their bodies based on the ideal body or body trend that is plausible at that moment. They strive to be better and reach goals that cannot be achieved, it is always an on-going project. Women will never be satisfied because of the “ideal body “ or “body norms” constantly change. Influencers and media are a large part of rice’s concept, influencers such as the Kardashian’s who post photos of them with beauty-enhancing products to convince the market that if they purchase these specific products they could look as “perfect” as the influencer it's self and live the “perfect” life that they live, while in return receiving money for promoting the companies products . As I've grown older spending my teenage years on social media has changed my own perception of my image. As years gone by I've purchased many beauty enhancing products and items to help me achieve my goal of face and body image. Such as magnified vanity mirrors to see and correct the flaws on my face and full body mirrors to critique my outfits before I went out. When I was younger none of these were a big concern for me, as it is now. Although most people modify their bodies for other people, some modify their bodies for themselves, these modifications include piercings, hair colour, weight loss for health or personal purposes, etc. Beauty has many influences, as explained by rice, women view themselves as empowering sites, while men view women in a sexual nature which degrades women and causes women to have to modify their bodies in order to please the eye.

Question 3: From your text (module 11.4), review the two key changes influencing how families negotiate the demands of generating income and managing household duties. (Be sure to mention/define the impact of off-shifting and second shift in your answer). REVIEW ISSUES AROUND INCOME /5 MARKS Income generation is the result of capitalism, the government not paying money for child care Families depend on two types of labour: unpaid domestic labour, and income-generating work. In capitalist societies, the demands of both labours clash against one another. Income generation-- FINANCE used to describe an investment or business activity that makes money Two changes affect how families negotiate the demands of managing a household and income generation. 1- the number of hours of income-generating work required to support the household, the need for more paid labour hours to maintain the average standard of living has translated into a higher prpotion of women working in the paid labour force , and families with two income earners are now the statistivcal norm among canadian families Participating in paidd labor began with single women and childless women, mothers of school-aged chilfren and then mother of small children 2- major cutbacks in gov support to school, health, and social services result in caregiving responsibilities falling often on to women. Unpaid work is required in order for the household to survive. Cutbacks on schools could lead students not being able to afford university hence jeopardising their goals and future. Stratagies to negotiating the competing demand of more hours for domestic and paid labour would be 1 - increase their hours of paid labour in order to purchase more serveses ( paying for care giver ) 2- decrease the house in paid labor to hace more time for domestic labour. ( house work ) REVIEW ISSUES AROUND DOMESTIC DUTIES /5 MARKS

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Gendered patterns- women regular indoor household task, cook clean baithing children Men engage in outdoor tasks, not as important, mowing lawn or repair jobs around home Stay at home moms usually really rich or really poor Economic pressure- families have pressure to do more work for less. OFF-SHIFTING AND SECOND SHIFT /5 MARKS Many familes use the strategie of offshifting for the perfect balance of domestic and paid labour. Offshifting is where one partner will work nonstandard work hours. This results in Increased invovlment in domestic labour and childcare. Second shift was created to refer to the domestic labor performed by employed women at home after finsihing their paid workday Negatives - couples never see eachother Forced to take over role EXAMPLE /5 MARKS Single mother

Question 3: From your text (module 11.4), review the two key changes influencing how families negotiate the demands of generating income and managing household duties. (Be sure to mention/define the impact of off-shifting and second shift in your answer). Income is an important part of having a family, families depend on two types of labour: unpaid domestic labour, and income-generating work. In capitalist societies like Canada, the demands of both labours clash against one another. The two key changes influencing how families negotiate the demands of managing household duties and generating income include (1) major cutbacks in government with support to health care, education, and social services which results in caregiving responsibilities to take place, usually falling often on to women. In order for a home to endure unpaid work is required. For example cutbacks in schools could lead to students and families not being able to afford university, hence jeopardizing their goals and future. (2) The number of hours of income-generating work required to support the household. Two strategies to negotiating the conflicting demand of more hours of domestic and paid labour are increasing the hours of paid labour in order to purchase more services, such as caregivers, and to decrease the hours in paid labour to have more time for domestic labour, such as housework. Many families use the strategies of off-shifting for the perfect balance of domestic and paid labour. Off-shifting is where one partner will work nonstandard work hours, this results in increased involvement in domestic labour and childcare. The second shift was created to refer to the domestic labour executed by employed women at home after finishing their paid workday. The negative sides of off shifting and second shift are that usually the couple never sees each other, and the income generators are forced to take over roles. This gives economic pressure to families, which is the pressure to do more work for less. Domestic duties are gendered patterns; women regularly do the indoor household task, cook, clean, and bathing children, whereas, on the other hand, men engage in outdoor tasks that are not as important such as mowing the lawn or repair jobs around the house. My parents got a divorce while I was at the age of three years old, I wasn't affected by this much, but my mother was. I lived with my mother during the week and my father during the weekend. My mother has a full-time job and the responsibility of taking care of me, which was quite difficult on her own. It was evident that she would pick up more shifts in order to give me whatever I desired as well as making sure our household survived. My father supported me financially but it was never enough to live comfortably. This is where the second shift took place, I would get taken care of by my father during the days and my mother at night until I was able to go to school.

Question 4: Review and critique Ritzer’s McDonaldization Thesis. Using your own examples, do you believe the theory does/does not explain your experience at UVic? REVIEW 5 FEATURES OF RITZER’S THESIS /10 George Ritzer’s McDonaldization thesis Max Weber and his analysis of modern industrial society According to Weber rationalization is the process by which traditional modes of thinking are being replaced by an ends perspective focused on efficiency and formalized social control an example of this would be civil service. The more important issues in the state are handled by state officials instead of elected representativeness, clear division of labour, written rules and regulations. 1.efficiency - choosing the best means to reach a specific end rapidly, with the least amount of cost/effort ( seen as an advantage to the consumer but greater efficency for business ) .. drive thru’s, microwaves. 2. Calculability- emphasis on things that can be calculated or quantified. Tendancy to emphasize quantity rather than quality Supersized foods, No longer than one-page answer or deduction of 15% 3.predictability- attempt to modify our environment so that there are fewer surprises. 4.substitiuon of a human for non-human machines are predictable and people are not Machines do all the work humans watch machine. Replace car parts instead of repairing, scantron 5. The irrationality of rationality Rational system often leads to irrational ends The food is becoming less nourishing, wait for longer lines to get it, resist inhuman nature by which it operates. The movement to organic is more than just health concerns but reinforces the communal and social role that eating together provides Although Ritzer’s notion targets fast it also applies to education system Education becomes the business, children and parents are the consumers. IF/HOW THE THEORY DOES/DOES NOT EXPLAIN UVIC /5

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

EXAMPLE /5 Question 4: Review and critique Ritzer’s McDonaldization Thesis. Using your own examples, do you believe the theory does/does not explain your experience at UVic? McDonaldization is a term developed by George Ritzer that claims that is a phenomenon that arises when society and its organizations adapt to have the same characteristics as fast food restaurants. George Ritzer expands on Max Weber, a German sociologist’s analysis of modern industrial society. According to Weber rationalization is the process whereby traditional modes of thinking are being replaced by an ends perspective focused on efficiency and formalized social control. Such as civil services, the more important issues in the state are handled by state officials instead of elected representativeness, a clear division of labour, written rules and regulations. Ritzer’s McDonaldization Thesis comes in 5 parts, efficiency, calculability, predictability, substitution of human for non-human machines, and the irrationality of rationality. Efficiency defines choosing the best means to reach a specific end rapidly, with the least amount of cost or effort. For instance, drive-thrus, or microwaves. This can be seen as an advantage to the consumer but greater efficiency for the business . Calculability emphasizes on things that can be calculated or quantifies. The tendency to stress quantity over quality. An example would be supersized foods or “no longer than one-page answers or receive a deduction of 15%.” Predictability is one of the more simple principles in Ritzer’s thesis, it's the attempt to modify our environment so that there are fewer surprises in the near future. Substitution of a human for non-human machines, machines are predictable, humans are not. The instruments do all the work while the human looks over it. To illustrate, imagine your car is broken, you would go replace the damaged part not try and repairing it. Finally, the irrationality of rationality, rational system often leads to irrational ends. The food is becoming less nourishing, which makes us wait for long lines to get it, resist inhuman nature by the way it functions. The movement to organic is more than just health concerns but reinforces the communal and social role that eating together provides. Although Ritzer’s notion targets fast food restaurants it applies to the education system too, education becomes the business and children/parents become the consumers. A majority of Ritzer’s McDonaldization Thesis is applicable in my everyday life at Uvic. Anything that has to do with my grades or finance at the school has a lot to do with calculability. Being a first-year student being from walking distance from my classes and the cafes relates to efficeincy. For our exams, most professors would use scantrons to mark our exams, this would

be seen as a substitution human for non-human machines. Question 2: Review and discuss the historical importance of “race”. Using your own contemporary examples, do you believe racism still exists today? If so where, if not, why not? DEFINE REVIEW DISCUSS HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE OF RACE/RACIALIZATION /10 Race- group of people who were physically and genetically distingusihed from other groups, these differences, facial features, skin colour, hair texture. Race- social significance used to seperate and segregate people Social construction becuase of racial catagories Minority - category of people who are physically or culturally distinguishable who are socially disadvantaged, not the number of people involved, but, their lack of social power Racialization - the complex and contradictory process through which certain groups are subjected to differential and or unequal treatment because of being designated as a particular “race” Historical baggage Ethnicity shared culture or heritage, although it tends to unite those who are also socially constructed. CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLE /5 Racism still exists today

Question 2: Review and discuss the historical importance of “race”. Using your own contemporary examples, do you believe racism still exists today? If so where, if not, why not? A basic truism is that rationalization has been around since humans have been on earth, making us believe that racism was born into us when in reality it is part of a social construct with no basis in biology that determines that there are varying ethnicities. When determining whether an event or term has historical importance we have to look at the impacts it had at the time on the world and the people it affected we also have to look how we gained from these events that can deflate it in the future. Race is a term given to a group who share biologically transmitted traits. This means not only physical attributes but other characteristics like names, beliefs and speech. Racialization is the complex process through which “minority” groups are treated unequally due to their race. Minority is the term that refers to a category of people who are physically or culturally distinguishable that are socially disadvantaged, not the number of people involved, but, their lack of social power, these terms are of such historical significance. Racism caused African slave trades, Trump’s building of a wall, ethnic-based wars and genocides, concentration camps. From these events, we’ve learned of not only devastations that have impacted the past, but how we can benefit from these terrible events to make sure they never happen again. racism as a kid stays in the classroom when u grow older you realize race is all over. The historical importance of it teaches us of the devastations that took place before our generation and how they affected the world. We can improve society from situations like these by making sure they never happen again due to all the devastation that racism causes. Although racism has come a long way since the 19th centuries, it still has much farther to go because the idea enforced by Hitler for concentration camps for Jewish people in times, are still existent and can be found in China right now, with over 1,000,000 Muslims kept in captivity. Society has come a long way in terms of racism, and racialization, however, race is still seen

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

everyday, all over the world, and is an ongoing concern for many people. In order for us to lean towards a societal society free of racial discrimination, people need to learn more on races, and the impacts that racism has on certain ethnic groups.

soci 2

Related Documents