Conforming to feminine norms of appearance and beauty ideals : self-inflicted objectification?

Abstract

We live in an era where our world revolves around fleeting images on Instagram and with the female clothing and cosmetics industry marketed by influencers aka online personalities. Pressure on women to look good is greater than ever before. Failure to comply with these demanding socially acceptable appearance norms will render women despised and rejected. This paper aims to discuss if conforming to beauty and appearance ideals would render women to participate in their own self-objectification. Inspired by Nussbaum, I attempt to develop an account of self-objectification which includes internalization of the male gaze and non-sexualized objectification. The core of this paper argues that conforming to feminine norms of appearance results in reduction and dehumanization, that are two necessary and jointly sufficient conditions to constitute self-objectification. I will demonstrate this by explaining how isolation and self-alienation culminates as reduction, and eventually leads to dehumanization where women lack self-determination and perpetuate an image of inadequacy in their natural appearance and body. I will also raise an objection then respond to it. I will conclude to assert that when women conform to feminine norms of appearance and idealistic beauty standards, they are participating in their own self-objectification.