Research On The Significance Of Modern Women's Body Image Construction

Equality between men and women is not only women's long-standing appeal,but also an important symbol to measure the social development of a country.After the founding of New China,the Party and the government have improved the status of women and effectively guaranteed their legitimate rights and interests by means of legislation,policy adjustment and inclination,and social advocacy.However,whether the reasons behind women's autonomous choice of a certain behavior as actors originate from women's liberation or other reasons should still be the focus of current research.The purpose of this study is to adopt qualitative research method and explore the real meaning behind the construction of modern women's body image and how these meanings will change for different types of women in different situations,taking women's wearing high-heeled shoes as an example.This study conducted in-depth interviews with 11 respondents who had experienced wearing high heels,and maintained a high degree of theoretical sensitivity in data analysis.Based on Michel Foucault's theory of discipline,Marx and Engels' idea on emancipation of people and women and the subjectivity thinking of Beauvoir's feminism,the significance of data presentation was deeply interpreted.The study found that the behavioral meaning of modern women's wearing high heels can be classified into two categories: discipline and liberation.The behavioral meaning under the category of discipline includes compensating for physiological defects,highlighting female characteristics,reflecting specific identities,abiding by social rules and constructing contrasting images.Behavioral meanings under the category of liberation include gaining self-identity and achieving self-esteem and self-determination.These behavioral meanings have dynamic changes in degree and category in the process of women's development.At the same time,the construction of these meanings will be influenced by conditions and situations including individual aesthetic subconsciousness,practicability and economic level,opinions and stature of important others,walking and standing time and comfort,work or not,formality of occasion,date object and purpose and so on.The results show that although wearing high-heeled shoes seems to be an independent choice of modern women,but the "discipline" from society or others is still the main reason for them to wear high-heeled shoes,some of them do not realize that they are in a state of discipline,or even get a sense of pleasure from it.Women's choice of high-heeled shoes can not only depend on their own subjective wishes,but consider a variety of objective dimensions.Based on the findings and conclusions of these studies,the author obtains some enlightenments about the current ideological and political education of modern women who wear highheeled shoes to help them achieve free and comprehensive development.