The Body Project

1. The female body becomes a central project for American girls in the 20th century

"At the close of the twentieth century, the female body poses an enormous problem for American girls, and it does so because of the culture in which we live."

Cultural shift: The 20th century witnessed a dramatic transformation in how American girls relate to their bodies. This change was driven by several factors:

• Increased focus on external appearance and self-presentation
• Rise of consumer culture and targeted marketing to adolescent girls
• Decline in emphasis on character development and internal virtues
• Proliferation of visual media showcasing idealized female bodies

Consequences: This shift had profound effects on girls' self-perception and behavior:

• Body became a primary expression of individual identity
• Increased time and resources devoted to appearance-related activities
• Greater anxiety and self-consciousness about physical development
• Emergence of new "body projects" such as dieting, exercise, and cosmetic procedures

2. Menstruation shifts from a private affair to a commercialized hygiene concern

"Instead of seeing menarche as a marker of an important internal change in a girl—specifically, her new capacity for reproduction—modern mothers typically stress the importance of outside appearances for their daughters: keeping clean, avoiding soiled clothes, and purchasing the right 'equipment.'"

Medicalization and commercialization: The 20th century saw a transformation in how menstruation was perceived and managed:

• Doctors became increasingly involved in educating girls about menstruation
• Commercial sanitary products replaced homemade solutions
• Advertising campaigns promoted menstrual hygiene as a critical concern

Cultural impact: This shift had significant implications for girls' experiences:

• Menarche became less about reproductive capacity and more about hygiene management
• Mother-daughter conversations focused more on practical concerns than emotional support
• Girls developed a more clinical, less personal relationship with their bodies
• Menstruation became tied to consumerism and brand loyalty from an early age

3. The pursuit of perfect skin reflects changing beauty standards and medical interventions

"Pimples are a natural part of biological maturation, but the meaning we give to them is derived from the culture in which we live."

Evolving perceptions: Attitudes towards adolescent acne shifted dramatically over time:

• 19th century: Acne seen as a moral failing or sign of sexual deviance
• Early 20th century: Acne viewed as a hygiene issue and social liability
• Mid-20th century: Acne recognized as a medical condition requiring intervention

Medical and commercial responses:

• Development of various treatments: X-rays, hormones, antibiotics, topical medications
• Rise of over-the-counter acne products targeted at teenagers
• Emergence of dermatology as a specialized field focused on adolescent skin issues

Cultural impact:

• Perfect skin became increasingly associated with social success and self-worth
• Girls internalized the pressure to achieve flawless complexions
• Acne treatment became a shared project between adolescents, parents, and doctors

4. Dieting and body sculpting emerge as prevalent adolescent female practices

"At the end of the twentieth century, the body projects of middle-class American girls are more habitual and intense than they were in either the 1920s or the 1950s."

Historical progression: The emphasis on slimness and body control intensified over time:

• 1920s: Emergence of "slimming" as a fashionable pursuit for young women
• 1950s-1960s: Dieting becomes more widespread among adolescent girls
• 1980s-1990s: Rise of fitness culture and emphasis on toned, athletic bodies

Cultural drivers:

• Fashion trends favoring slender silhouettes
• Media representations of idealized female bodies
• Increased availability of diet products and exercise equipment

Psychological impact:

• Girls internalize the belief that body shape determines self-worth
• Constant vigilance over food intake and weight becomes normalized
• Risk of developing eating disorders and body dysmorphia increases

5. Breasts become a focal point of adolescent female identity and anxiety

"In the postwar world, the budding adolescent body was big business."

Cultural fixation: Breasts gained heightened significance in American culture:

• 1950s: Voluptuous figures popularized by Hollywood stars
• Rise of the "training bra" as a rite of passage for young girls
• Increased medical and commercial attention to breast development

Commercial exploitation:

• Marketing of bras and "figure control" products to younger girls
• Promotion of breast-enhancing exercises and creams
• Later emergence of cosmetic surgery as an option for breast augmentation or reduction

Psychological impact:

• Breast size and shape become tied to perceptions of femininity and attractiveness
• Girls experience increased anxiety about their developing bodies
• Pressure to conform to idealized breast standards affects self-esteem

6. The concept of virginity loses its cultural significance over time

"In the 1990s, the rule book on sexual behavior is slim, and it is summarized quite easily: all sex, no matter what it is, should be mutual, consensual, and protected."

Changing attitudes: The importance of virginity diminished throughout the 20th century:

• Early 1900s: Virginity seen as essential to a girl's moral and social worth
• 1920s-1930s: Relaxation of sexual mores and increased premarital intimacy
• 1960s-1970s: Sexual revolution challenges traditional notions of chastity
• 1980s-1990s: Virginity becomes less relevant to female identity and value

Medical and legal shifts:

• Decline in importance of the hymen as a marker of virginity
• Increased access to contraception for unmarried women
• Changes in laws regarding age of consent and statutory rape

Cultural impact:

• Girls face less stigma for premarital sexual activity
• Increased acceptance of diverse sexual experiences and orientations
• Greater emphasis on sexual education and protection rather than abstinence

7. Sexual pressure and danger increase for adolescent girls in modern society

"Coercion, not consent, is often a reality in the lives of today's sexually active girls."

New challenges: Despite increased sexual freedom, girls face significant risks:

• Earlier onset of sexual activity increases vulnerability to exploitation
• Prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, often from peers or authority figures
• Pressure to engage in sexual activities before emotional readiness

Cultural factors:

• Sexualization of young girls in media and advertising
• Normalization of aggressive male sexuality
• Inadequate education about consent and healthy relationships

Consequences:

• Increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies
• Psychological trauma from negative sexual experiences
• Difficulty in developing healthy attitudes towards sexuality and relationships

8. Early sexual maturation creates a mismatch between biology and culture

"At this moment in our history, young women develop physically earlier than ever before, but they do so within a society that does not protect or nurture them in ways that were once a hallmark of American life."

Biological changes: Average age of menarche has decreased significantly:

• Early 1800s: Typical onset around 15-16 years old
• Late 1900s: Average onset just over 12 years old

Cultural lag: Society has not adequately adapted to this biological shift:

• Girls face adult-like sexual pressures at younger ages
• Emotional and cognitive development does not match physical maturity
• Traditional support systems have eroded without adequate replacements

Consequences:

• Increased vulnerability to sexual exploitation and risky behaviors
• Higher rates of depression and anxiety among early-maturing girls
• Difficulty in navigating complex social and sexual situations

9. The decline of traditional protective structures leaves girls more vulnerable

"By the 1950s, a married woman's primary allegiance was to her own children, not to those of others. Today, sustained involvement with girls other than one's own daughters is unusual in the world of middle-class women, unless these relationships are structured by their professional responsibilities as teachers and professors, nurses and doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, and social workers."

Erosion of support systems: Several factors contributed to the decline of traditional protections:

• Increased maternal employment outside the home
• Decline in community and religious organizations focused on girls
• Shift towards nuclear family model and away from extended family involvement

Cultural changes:

• Greater emphasis on individual autonomy and self-reliance
• Rejection of paternalistic attitudes towards female protection
• Increased exposure to adult content through media and technology

Consequences:

• Girls navigate adolescence with less guidance and supervision
• Reduced intergenerational mentoring and support
• Increased reliance on peers and media for information and validation

Last updated: January 24, 2025