180 - Thematic Session. Feminist Debates about Sexuality: Body Modifications as Capitulation or Empowerment?

Session Submission Type: Invited Session

Abstract

Feminists are often critical of sexist beauty standards. Some have argued that women’s capitulation to changing their bodies is evidence of continued power of patriarchal norms. Others write about body modifications as empowerment, as aspects of liberating the presentation of the self. There has been a flowering of research on a variety of means of body manipulation from cosmetic surgery, to tattoos, to female body building. This session explores the broader issues of body manipulation, internalized oppression and empowerment.

Sub Unit

• Thematic Sessions

Session Organizer

• Barbara J. Risman, University of Illinois-Chicago

Presider

• Pepper J. Schwartz, University of Washington

Panelists

• Victoria L. Pitts-Taylor, City University of New York-Graduate Center

• Abigail T. Brooks, Providence College

• Samantha Kwan, University of Houston

Discussant

• Pepper J. Schwartz, University of Washington