The pursuit of ideal: why female adolescents in the Philippines pursue the ideal body depicted by media (a case study of female high school students in Casa Real Montessori Inc., Imus, Cavite)

Abstract

The human body has been the subject of interest of many political scientists for many years. A number of studies have been conducted abroad on different issues relating to the human body particularly that of the female. The female body has been the subject of fascination for many researchers abroad. A number of studies have focused on the notions and perceptions of the ideal female body and its corresponding implications. Most literature recognizes that the notion and perception of the ideal female body varies from culture to culture and from different points in time. There is no clear or universal description of the ideal female body. However, studies have shown that regardless of time and culture women tend to pursue the ideal. Some even resort to dangerous methods. Issues involving women's pursuit of the ideal body not only arise from problems it causes like eating disorders and distorted body images. Some researchers and writers argue that the real issue lies at the very reason why some women are forced to take extreme measures in order to achieve the ideal female body. In the Philippines, however, there is a limited literature regarding the subject matter. This study focuses on the notions and perceptions of ideal body of female adolescents in the Philippines and why do these female adolescents pursue their ideal body. The study was conducted in a private, Montessori school in Imus, Cavite. The researcher chose female adolescent respondents because psychologists says that adolescents are most affected by body image issues and are more susceptible to outside influence in terms of their notions and perceptions of things. Findings show that the respondents have two dominant perceptions of the ideal female body - aesthetic and fitness. On the aesthetic side, the respondents think that the ideal body is what looks good to others. In addition, the respondents also recognize that ideal body has something to do with looking good with whatever they are wearing. On the fitness side, there is no clear description of what a healthy or fit body is or what it looks like. The respondent only mentioned about 'being able to do things that they want to do' to mean that their body is healthy and fit. As can be observed, answers to the perception of the ideal body are vague. A clear description was not provided by the respondents during in the survey and even during the focus group discussion. The study conducted also found out that a major driving force in the respondents' pursuit of their ideal body is what others around them perceive as the ideal body or what others also perceive as what type of body looks good. Looking good or pleasing to others is what motivates the respondents to pursue the ideal body. The research that was conducted is quite limited in its scope. The researcher recommends further studies to be conducted on the subject matter. A use of a different framework is highly recommended. In addition, it is also interesting to increase the scope not just to the notion of the ideal female body but also to include the notions of the ideal male body. Future researches may also take into consideration some factors such as the socio-demographic background of the respondents.