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A review by annaroosvw
The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women by Naomi Wolf
5.0
Recommended by a well read-friend, and even then it positively surprised me. Or must I say: overwhelmed me. Who would have thought that the struggles of being a woman in the modern world are hidden so subtily under our skin, blended into religion, sex and hunger?
Wolf's tone is so intensely provocative, and makes you wonder if it is true, or exaggerated. I found myself conversing inwardly. Questioning things I considered solid facst beforehand.
But the gist is painfully alarming: as much as the trend seems reversed, the collective is trying to prevent actual equality and to contain the power balance as it is. 'We' don't want the modern woman to become the new standard. She can have a bold update, but bottom line is that we want to keep her in place. Now that previous versions of feminism are in the past, the current 4th wave is the most devious one. This one is playing on females' deeply rooted norms that affirm every single day through multiple touchpoints how we're meant to act. The new world is smarter, so it needs to controls women better - not by simple measures like quota's on the work floor, but by sneaky marketing messages and communication conventions that take away safety and support from radical women.
It strategically drives them into a little corner of a failed species. It works in a way that ultimately only accepts the stereotype, by attacking radicals' confidence and safety. Any deviation from the expectation - such as female assertiveness, rudeness, ambition, is rejected through simple tricks. The result: most of us will be lured into becoming soft-hearted, friendly figures, that take 'care' of their bodies and people, that choose the steady job and partner over the risky one, and we will pass on the example to the next generation through the same subtle communication: 'be kind', 'look like that', 'don't be bossy', 'be emotional', 'think about the other person', 'when in doubt, don't do it'.
When in doubt, do read this book. It changed my perception in multiple ways.
Wolf's tone is so intensely provocative, and makes you wonder if it is true, or exaggerated. I found myself conversing inwardly. Questioning things I considered solid facst beforehand.
But the gist is painfully alarming: as much as the trend seems reversed, the collective is trying to prevent actual equality and to contain the power balance as it is. 'We' don't want the modern woman to become the new standard. She can have a bold update, but bottom line is that we want to keep her in place. Now that previous versions of feminism are in the past, the current 4th wave is the most devious one. This one is playing on females' deeply rooted norms that affirm every single day through multiple touchpoints how we're meant to act. The new world is smarter, so it needs to controls women better - not by simple measures like quota's on the work floor, but by sneaky marketing messages and communication conventions that take away safety and support from radical women.
It strategically drives them into a little corner of a failed species. It works in a way that ultimately only accepts the stereotype, by attacking radicals' confidence and safety. Any deviation from the expectation - such as female assertiveness, rudeness, ambition, is rejected through simple tricks. The result: most of us will be lured into becoming soft-hearted, friendly figures, that take 'care' of their bodies and people, that choose the steady job and partner over the risky one, and we will pass on the example to the next generation through the same subtle communication: 'be kind', 'look like that', 'don't be bossy', 'be emotional', 'think about the other person', 'when in doubt, don't do it'.
When in doubt, do read this book. It changed my perception in multiple ways.