Good Works vs. Good Looks
January 2010
I recently read The Body Project: A History of American Girls by Joan Jacobs Brumberg. Brumberg analyzed 100 years of diaries of everyday American girls and found some fascinating differences between modern times and previous generations. She found the mantra “I hate my body.” is a modern construct, that became prevalent in girls’ diaries starting in the 80’s and 90’s. It isn’t that girls didn’t write about pimples, training bras, and first dates 50 or 100 years ago. But their concerns were overshadowed by interior—rather than exterior - concerns about their character and relationship development.
This wonderful book also shows how things like household mirrors, the ubiquitous beauty industry, cosmetics, an even indoor bathroom changes (!) fed a new focus on the body, and coincided with cultural development of self-hatred that now plagues so many women and girls.
Last month I told my Psychology of Gender class about this book, and we discussed the disappearance of good works organizations for girls. (Like the still-strong Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls, historically there were dozens of such organizations, religious and secular, for girls to join for fellowship and service). Such organizations have symbolically been replaced by the mall, commercial and material goals, and most importantly for many girls, the body project – analyzing and perfecting one’s outward appearance – which we all know is an impossible goal!
While I’m not a fan of New Year Resolutions per se, it’s a good opportunity to consider some positive actions I’d like to focus on in 2010. So… mine are: Affirming Girls and Women, Praising Good Works, Providing Opportunities for Girls and Women To Practice Good Works. And that big mirror I was planning to unpack from the old house? I really don’t miss it. And my daughter doesn’t need it.
Wishing you and your daughters all good things in 2010: 1) Peace with herself 2) Love for others, and 3) Finding good works that she gets fired up about!