How to Divorce Yourself from Modern Beauty Standards with Emma Dabiri
Oct 17, 2023
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Emma Dabiri, bestselling author, joins Jameela Jamil to discuss the origins of beauty standards, the impact of European philosophers on binary theory, finding pleasure in ritual and community, the importance of growing older and disconnecting from appearance-based value as modern women.
Societal beauty standards are not biologically determined but shaped by a patriarchal system and power dynamics.
Adhering to societal beauty standards can have detrimental effects on mental health and autonomy, emphasizing the need for self-acceptance and solidarity.
Capitalism and patriarchy reinforce oppressive beauty standards, and finding beauty in different aspects of life is crucial for resistance and personal growth.
Deep dives
The pressure faced by Latinas to conform to societal hair expectations
Dove conducted a survey revealing that nine out of ten women, including Latinas, feel pressured to style or wear their hair according to societal expectations. To challenge these norms and redefine beauty, Dove launched the My Hair and Mimoto movement, inviting Latinas to embrace and showcase their diverse hair types. Through online and offline platforms like TikTok, Dove aims to drive conversations celebrating hair diversity and empowering Latinas to reject limiting beauty expectations.
Examining the history and origins of beauty standards
In an interview on the podcast, author Emma Dabri discusses her book 'Disabedient Bodies', which investigates the origins and history behind societal beauty standards. She challenges the notion that beauty ideals are biologically determined, instead highlighting how they are shaped by a patriarchal system and power dynamics. Dabri explores the impact of colonialism, the binary perception of mind and body, and the distinction between youth and aging. She argues for a more holistic and inclusive understanding of beauty, emphasizing the importance of breaking away from these oppressive beauty norms.
The pursuit of beauty and its impact on mental health
The conversation delves into the detrimental effects of striving for societal beauty standards on mental health. Both host Jamila Jamil and Emma Dabri share personal experiences with body image struggles and discuss the pressures faced by women in an appearance-focused culture. They question the concept of choice and autonomy in adhering to these standards, highlighting the need for solidarity, self-acceptance, and redefining beauty beyond physical appearance. They also address the commodification of beauty, the normalization of cosmetic procedures, and the importance of embracing the natural aging process.
The cultural norms around beauty and body standards in different contexts
The podcast explores the cultural differences in beauty and body standards, highlighting how different cultures perceive and appreciate different body types. The speaker discusses her experiences growing up in Ireland, where being thin was heavily emphasized, compared to Nigerian culture where a fuller figure was valued. The speaker also shares examples from Yoruba culture, highlighting the praise songs for the corpulent goddess Ocean, emphasizing the acceptance of various body types in pre-colonial Yoruba society.
The impact of capitalism and patriarchy on beauty standards
The podcast delves into how capitalism and patriarchy play a role in shaping beauty ideals and body image issues. The speaker discusses how constant productivity and the need for improvement under capitalism make us susceptible to the oppressive beauty standards promoted by the patriarchal gaze. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding beauty in different aspects of life, such as relationships, creativity, and personal growth, rather than solely focusing on physical appearance. Additionally, the speaker encourages diversifying social media feeds and actively engaging in practices to resist the pressures of the beauty industry.
Jameela is joined this week by Irish-Nigerian bestselling author Emma Dabiri to find out where & why beauty standards started, how European philosophers created & influenced binary theory and what we can do to disconnect from these beauty standards. They discuss finding the pleasure in ritual and community, loving make-up (or not a la Pamela Anderson!), the importance and privilege of growing older and finding more ways to have value as modern women outside of appearance.
Emma’s book "Disobedient Bodies: Reclaim Your Unruly Beauty" is out now, and you can follow her on Twitter @emmadabiri and IG @emmadabiri
If you have a question for Jameela, email it to iweighpodcast@gmail.com, and we may ask it in a future episode!
