THE CULTURAL IDEOLOGY OF BODY IMAGE
AMONG FIJIAN WOMEN
by Erinn Gregg

Conclusion

Conclusion
Works Cited

Among Fijians, the idea that each individual has a role to play within the community affects the way women focus on their appearance and body. Among younger and/or unmarried women, who are expected to be playing more individual roles within the community as they look for future husbands, the focus on appearance and weight is significant. However, at a different stage in their lives, older and/or married women, who are assumed to be more concerned with the nurturing of the community, are less concerned with their weight and body image.

The cultural ideology of the self has a large impact on the way individuals, more specifically women, look at their bodies. In Fijian society where the community is the center of the society, the self is not a reflection of the individual. Rather, the self is a reflection of a larger community. Hence, the body does not reflect the individual but more so, the body is a reflection of the community. A larger woman is more well cared for than a slimmer woman. However, since the community is the focus, each individual is expected to fulfill their role within the community, and as a result women focus their attention on their bodies when they should be attracting husbands at a younger age.

In cultures where individualism is promoted, such as in America, women individuals tend to consider the idea of self differently. The individual is a reflection of the self and therefore the body is a reflection of the individual. A slim person is strong minded and powerful while a heavier person is unwilling and weak. Therefore, women in American culture are encouraged to achieve slimness not because they are at a certain stage of their lives but rather because they are concerned with reflecting a good image of their personality through a good image of their bodies.

While the effect on women's body image in Fijian culture is currently affected by the stage of life and the connection to the community, the sociocentric self which is a central component of the culture may in fact be changing. With the influence of Western culture the future structure of Fijian society may become more individualistic with a less central focus on the community. Women who are younger and/or unmarried and concerned about their weight and appearance may later in life continue to focus on their individual selves with a larger focus on dieting. However, presently, the structure of the culture and the influence of the community steer many women away from the practice of dieting because it reflects poorly on the bonds of the community.

Works Cited

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