The Tight-Laced Tale of Historical Body Shaming
The roots of body shaming trace back to ancient ideals,where the contours of a woman’s body were manipulated to fit into the constructed epitomes of feminine beauty. One poignant example of this historical body shaming lies in the invention and imposition of corsets on women, a garment conceived by man’s imagination to tailor a woman’s body according to societal ideals.
Corsets, the rigid and restrictive undergarments that prevailed primarily during the 16th to 19th centuries, were emblematic tools used to sculpt the female body to meet the societal benchmarks of beauty. The design of the corset was primarily aimed at cinching the waist and uplifting the bust, contouring the body into an exaggerated hourglass figure that was deemed appealing according to the conventional aesthetics of femininity
The corset’s restrictive nature also had significant implications for women’s health, often leading to breathing difficulties, damaged ribs, and other health issues due to the tight lacing. Despite these health risks, the corset remained a staple in women’s wardrobes, underscoring the lengths to which women went to conform to societal expectations.
Colonial Era: The Intersection of Race and Body Image
The colonial era introduced a new dimension to body shaming through the intersection of race and body image. Indigenous populations and Africans were often objectified and dehumanized based on their physical appearance, perpetuating stereotypes and justifying discrimination and exploitation. Body shaming became a tool for maintaining power structures and asserting racial superiority, leaving a legacy of prejudice that continues to impact societies today.