Femininity and Womanism: The Lethal Pressures of Such a Demanding Image

      It is very well noted in history and today the demanding image women take upon themselves to satisfy society. Created by the lack of independence and equal rights, women in the past were considered helpless, only providing care to the house, the bearing of children, and the pleasing of male figures. They were forced to wear specific clothing which varied by area, time period, or culture, while men had a much less-strict image to fulfill. If women were not to perfect this image, mostly given to her my man and other pressures, she was discriminated against and considered to be lesser than others, or even some cases, a law-breaker. 

      Although all women were pressured into a feminine image, it is important to recognize different

Native American women who
were not considered attractive or
feminine were not accepted in society.
Photo: firstpeople.us

cultures and ethnic groups when studying women. One prominent culture that provides highlighted images of women is the Indians in American cultures. Although there was original conflict with the Indians when land was divided among the new settlers, the native American woman was held as an American symbol of liberty and motherhood, full of strength, but also a nurturing personality. Native American women, like Pocahontas, were told in stories of bravery of saving others and leading warships, although these stories were never proven to be true; they provided a sense of generosity. (Green, Rayna)

      Sexuality was also a growing aspect in the Indian Woman's perceived image. The physical features of these women became the natural beauty that America stove for to have as an elegant and attractive figure for representation. Indian women attire became to be known as seductively attractive and sleek, so the figures were often used to boost businesses such as jewelry. As a symbolic figure, a mother, and a true tribe member to her relatives, a Native American women was pressured to please different extremities of sexuality. She was assumed to be a nurturing mother figure, a dedicated wife to an Indian man, but also a symbol of lust for white men. (Green, Rayna)

      Another negative, but recognizable aspect detailed in a woman's image is whether she is "pretty" or "ugly." The Native Americans were one of the first who had detailed accounts of classification of this. The unfavorable sister, coined the name of Squaw, became the name of ugly. The name "Squaw" was given to any woman who did not fit the classification of attractiveness, child bearing, and man attracting. Some men married then became dishonorable because their wives turned int "Squaw" as they got older and less eye-pleasing. Squaw were considered outcasts in society and served to be at the bottom of a very discriminating pecking order. (Green, Rayna)

Young women face a feminine and "pretty" image.
Photo: pinterest.com

      Women today, especially young girls and teenagers, face many demanding pressures to fit the feminine image very similar to the one of the Native Americans and past women. Although women have more rights and freedom, there is still a general image for women to fit made of societal stereotypes that women are weak, smaller, pretty, fragile, and maybe even stay at home moms or cleaners. Unlike past decades in history, girls today face an countless number of pressures from media. Models usually have very similar appearances which lessens self-confident in girls who strive to fit features of an "attractive" female. This is where high rates of self-consciousness and depression play a part in image. Extreme cases, but not rare, can lead to eating disorders or some type of mutilation to the body to "perfect" it even if the tactics are extremely unhealthy, dangerous, or fake. However, there are smaller ways that females live up to the beautiful figure shown on television multiple times a day, which is the influence on clothes and make-up obsessions. Aside from just a physical appearance, females are pressured to sexually please men, which brings about pre-mature sexual contact, teen pregnancy, self-esteem issues, and so much more. The visual image forces women to change themselves to sexually please men. Similar to the Native Americans, instinctual aspects of image are included such as the bearing of children. Conclusively, the strict and sometimes demeaning image of women will continue, and so will the negative effects. (Stanhope, Clare)

Sources:

Green, Rayna. "The Pocahontas Perplex: The Image of Indian Women in American Culture." The Massachusetts Review 1975: 698. JSTOR Journals. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.

Stanhope, Clare. "Beauty And The Beast - Can Life Drawing Support Female Students In Challenging Gendered Media Imagery?." International Journal Of Art & Design Education 32.3 (2013): 352-361. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Oct. 2014.