For my research paper, I will be writing about expectations of women’s physical appearances, and how this leads to body dysmorphia and other mental health disorders. This topic is important to me because I was always made fun of in school for being bigger than everyone else. I went so far as to not eat for a whole week in the sixth grade, because I was bullied for being “fat.” All I wanted was to feel normal. I felt like something was wrong with me. Obviously, this is not the case, and there was never anything wrong with me. However, I want to analyze the psychology behind why I thought something was wrong with me. I want to analyze through my research how other people’s opinions and comments lead to declining mental health and obsession over the body.
For the publication of my research, I want to submit to Rock Creek Review Journal. This journal focuses on feminism and the importance of respecting women. It also publishes undergraduate work, so I would like to submit my research to this journal.
For the class, I am having them read specific vignettes from the novel 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl by Mona Awad. The scenes I selected show particular instances of the main character attempting to cover up her body because of her insecurities of being larger, as well as scenes that contain derogatory thinking towards larger women. I want readers to see the ways men view larger women, and how they take advantage of them. I also selected sections from a journal article from the Child Mind Institute that show real cases of children covering up their flaws, and how they become obsessed with the “wrongs” others point out.
I already know that this topic is going to be difficult to talk about, and read about. However, it needs to be discussed. In addition, I know this topic will reveal the great lengths women will go to in order to impress a man. To add, this topic will reveal the negative results of bodily obsession.This topic will also reveal the impact other people, social media, and literature have on women.
Lastly, I want to learn the psychology behind my topic. I want to learn the chain of events that goes on in someone’s mind after they begin to view themselves negatively. I want to learn how we can change the culture of women representation. I want my research to shed light on the idea of truly accepting oneself, and understanding that every body is beautiful.
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