Curvy vs. Skinny: A Brief Look at Gender Roles and Body Image Throughout History
Women come in all shapes and sizes, but throughout history it is evident that there have been a wide range of influences that have affected what has determined the idea of the ideal body image for women. One of the greatest factors influencing women has been the role women play in societal structure. Over time the idea of what a woman’s role in society is has changed greatly, and as we look at these roles it becomes clear how body image has changed along with these roles.
We can start our analysis in a relic from the Paleolithic Era known as the Venus of Willendorf. Although no true meaning has been found behind this idol, it is widely speculated that the meaning behind this statuette is that of a fertility goddess. The statue has no identifiable face but has large breasts, inflated stomach and wide hips leading many to this assumption of the image of a pregnant or child bearing woman. In this period one can safely say that women were viewed as the source of life and sustenance, as is evident through the stylings of the Venus of Willendorf. In a time where we survival of the species was the main goal of society it becomes clear, through relics like the Venus of Willendorf, that the connection between the curvy woman and that of life and procreation was an essential one. This leads us to believe that in this time a curvy woman would have been a more appealing partner.
As mankind developed and became more advanced and civilized the role women played in society changed with it. As we moved from beings that roamed from place to place in search of sustenance and survival and settled in areas building towns, villages, and eventually cities societal structures and gender roles changed as did the ideal body image along with it. In Ancient Greek times the male form becomes heralded as the warrior and athlete and high importance was placed on symmetry and that of the perfect male...
