Module 6: The Physical Self

The physical self refers to a person’s body and physical characteristics, encompassing
aspects like hair and skin color, body types, facial features, and overall appearance influenced by
heredity. All of us have our own physical appearances or physical characteristics. It's a major part
of our identity because it's visible to us and to others, shaping how we see ourselves and often how
we are perceived by society. The physical self is only one aspect of who we are. Still, it has a strong
influence on our self-concept and self-esteem, especially because of societal and cultural standards
that often emphasize appearance.

I. PHYSICAL CHANGES DURING PUBERTY

- The process when the body starts to mature starts during puberty as individuals
transition from childhood to adulthood. With these changes happening some teens feel
like it is out of their control. This affects their body image and self-esteem.

II. BODY IMAGE

- it refers to how and what you think and feel about your body. It includes the picture of
your body that you have in your mind, which might or might not match your body’s
actual shape and size.
• Positive or Healthy Body Image - feeling happy and satisfied with your body, as
well as being comfortable with and accepting the way you look.
• Negative or Unhealthy Body Image - feeling unhappy with the way you look.
People who feel like this often want to change their body size or shape.
- body image is both internal (personal) or external (societal).

- A healthy body image is important. When you feel good about your body, you are more
likely to have good self-esteem and mental health as well as a balanced attitude to
eating and physical activity. Some people give bigger value to their faces, appearance,
and shape of their body. Most especially Adolescents. However, there are only a few
people who become happy with the shape of their body.
III. CULTURAL STANDARDS OF BEAUTY

1. The “Golden Ratio” (Perfect Face)

- Stephen Marquardt studied human beauty for decades in his practice of oral and
maxillofacial surgery, and now continues his studies full time. Through his
research, he discovered that beauty can be defined for both genders and for all
races, cultures and eras with the beauty mask which he
developed and patented.

2. The Long-Necked Women (Myanmar)

- known as the "long-neck" or "giraffe" tribe (Padaung group). The odd practice
is a sign of beauty and wealth. Women begin wearing the rings by the age of
four or five, with more rings added as they become accustomed to the weight.
These rings can weigh up to 25 pounds.

3. Women Showing Off Their Nose Jobs (Iran)

- Iran has become the rhinoplasty capital of the world. Women are so proud of
going under the knife that they will continue to wear their bandages long after
they're needed, in order to show off their beauty. Others will even purchase
surgical tape to wear even if they haven't undergone the procedure.

4. Stretched Earlobe and Shaved Head (Kenya & Africa)

- Members of the Masai tribe in Africa are known for their practice of wearing
heavy jewelry made of stones or elephant tusks to stretch their earlobes over
time.

5. Lip Stretching (Parts Of Africa & South America)

- A Mursi or Suri woman in Ethiopia, consider a lip plate as denoting female
maturity, signaling that she has reached child-bearing age. Men find this
attractive. The process includes the removal of the two lower front teeth before
a piercing is made to allow a heavy clay or wooden disk to adorn and stretch
the lower lip.

6. Tattoos of Maori Women (New Zealand)

- Māori women in New Zealand have traditionally adorned a tattoo on their chin
as a means to attract a mate. The sacred tradition is known as Ta Moko. Each
moko is different and includes ancestral tribal information specific to the
wearer.

7. Women with Pale Skin (Asian Countries)

- Women in many Asian countries abhor the sun because pale skin is a sign of
beauty and desirability. Pale skin depicts the life of luxury and wealth. Many
women often use whitening products to achieve pale skin.
 8. Kajal Underlining the Eyes (Middle East)
- In the Middle East beauty is not something that reveals, but something that is
kept secret from the human eye, enhancing mystery and a specific charm.
Arabian women, make sure to underline their eyes with kajal and their hands
with henna tattoos.

9. Women with Fuller Figures (Mauritania)

- In the African country of Mauritania, drought and famine is common, so being
overweight has traditionally been a sign of prosperity. A heavier woman has
been so desirable that girls as young as 7 were sent to fat farms to put on weight.
Some of these girls end up weighing between 130-220 pounds.

10. The Esther Honig Experiment

- Journalist Esther Honig used the online marketplace Fiverr to send out a photo
of herself to graphic designers in more than 20 countries.
- Their task: to edit the photo to make Honig look "beautiful" - however the
designer defined the term.

IV. MEDIA STANDARS OF BEAUTY

- As long as the fashion industry is the one dictating what is supposed to be
“beautiful”, be it for men or women, adolescents will never be comfortable and
please with their bodies.
- The media can cause body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and disordered eating.
This is most applicable especially to young girls.
- Young girls are constantly being subjected to unattainable standards of beauty and
the media does a poor job at defining what a ‘normal girl’ looks like. Female
celebrities are constantly photoshopped to perfect their bodies by clearing any flaws
in their skin and editing their body parts, such as making their waist thinner and
their breasts larger.

• 2015 Study by Laura Romo

- Focus group with Mexican American adolescent females to discuss their views on
body image and the media. Most of the girls said they were aware that being thin is
the standard of beauty as shown by white women in movies, television shows,
advertisements, and so forth.
V. HOW TO BUILD POSITIVE BODY IMAGE
- Positive body image involves understanding that healthy attractive bodies come in many
shapes and sizes, and that physical appearance says very little about our character or value
as a person. People should also consider their physical competencies, valuation of physical
worth and perception of beauty.
- How we get to this point of acceptance often depends on our individual development and
self-acceptance. To get to that important point of balance: there are a few steps we can take:
1. Appreciate all that your body can do.
2. Keep a list of what you like about yourself.
3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep.
4. Look at yourself as a whole person.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.
6. Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right”
7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and make you feel good.
8. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages.
9. Do something nice for yourself.
10. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories,
and your weight to do something to help others.