The ideal female body image has changed drastically over the years. What is considered attractive today would have been completely unacceptable 50 years ago. In this blog post, we will explore how the definition of beauty has evolved over time. We will look at the different factors that have contributed to these changes, and we will try to answer the question: “What is the ideal female body image today?”
Understanding The Change In The Ideal Female Body Image Over Time
The history of women is full of unrealistic beauty standards that have been forced upon them by society. These standards are often unattainable and can lead to a lifetime of insecurity and low self-esteem. It is only recently that women have begun to challenge these norms and demand more realistic representations of themselves in the media. Now, while a 5’7 woman is pretty tall, the average height of a runway model is 5’11”.
And while the average American woman weighs 166 pounds, the average fashion model weighs 117 pounds. This discrepancy is due to the fact that the fashion industry has long been dominated by thin, white women. However, this is beginning to change. In recent years, we have seen a surge in plus-size and minority models on the runway and in magazines. This is a positive trend that we hope will continue.
The Ideal Female Body In The 1600s
In the 1600s, the ideal female body was represented by the Venus de Medici. This statue is of a woman with a very small waist and large breasts. Her proportions are based on those of the ancient Greek goddess Aphrodite. This ideal was largely influenced by the art of the time. Artists such as Peter Paul Rubens were known for painting women with large, voluptuous bodies.
This idea was also present in literature. In the book “The Romance of the Rose”, the author writes about a woman who is “round and plump, with soft flesh that quivers at a touch”. This ideal continued into the 1800s.
The Ideal Female Body In The 1700s
Now, unlike the 1600s, the 1700s were a time of great change. This was the age of Enlightenment, and people were beginning to think more critically about the world around them. This led to a change in the ideal female body. In the early 1700s, women were still expected to have a small waist and large breasts. However, by the end of the century, the ideal had shifted to a more slender figure.
This was likely due, in part, to the popularity of neoclassical art. Artists such as Jacques-Louis David were painting women with smaller waists and fewer curves. This new ideal was also reflected in literature. In the book “Emile”, the author writes that “women should be slender and graceful, not large and fleshy”.
The Ideal Female Body In The 1800s
The early 1800s were largely influenced by the neoclassical ideal. However, this began to change in the mid-1800s. The rise of the Industrial Revolution had a big part to play in that. This period of time saw a dramatic increase in the population of cities. This led to a change in the way people lived and worked. Women began to work outside of the home, and they no longer had the time or energy to maintain their slender figures. This led to a shift in the ideal female body type.
Now, instead of being slim and delicate, women were expected to be healthy and robust. This has been reflected in the art and literature of the time. In the painting “The Hay Wagon”, the artist depicts a woman with a more realistic body type. And in the book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, the author writes about a woman who is “strong and healthy, with muscles that were firm and well-developed”.
The Ideal Female Body Of The 1900s
The early 1900s were a time of great change indeed. This was due, in part, to the first World War. This conflict saw the mobilization of millions of men and women. Women were now working in jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. This led to a change in the ideal female body type. Now, instead of being slender and graceful, women were expected to be strong and muscular.
The artist of “Rosie the Riveter” painted a woman with very defined muscles, which reflects what was going on in society during that time. And in the book “The Feminine Mystique”, the author writes about a woman who is “active and assertive, with a mind of her own”.
The Ideal Female Body Today
The ideal female body has changed dramatically over the centuries. In the 1600s, women were expected to have a small waist and large breasts. In the 1700s, this ideal shifted to a more slender figure. In the 1800s, women were expected to be healthy and robust. And in the 1900s, women were expected to be strong and muscular. Today, there is no one ideal female body type. Instead, women are encouraged to be proud of their own unique shapes and sizes.
The Ideal Female Body Image Has Become More Diverse
As you could see, the times were practically dictating the ideal female body type during different periods. It is interesting to note that even though times have changed, the ideal female body type has not necessarily stayed the same. In fact, it has become more diverse. The growing societal normalization of diverse body types is probably one explanation for this. Another factor is the prevalence of media images that show a variety of body types.
And finally, the increasing number of women who are comfortable with their own bodies is also a factor. Moreover, the ideal female body image is now more attainable, as average women are becoming taller and weigh more than fashion models.
In conclusion, the ideal female body image has changed dramatically over time. What was once seen as the perfect body type is now just one of many. And this is a good thing! Women should be proud of their own unique shapes and sizes. Moreover, the ideal female body image is now more attainable, as average women are becoming taller and weigh more than fashion models.