Summary literature Perfect Self(ie)
Heather Widdows (2012) – More Pain, Who Gains? ..........................................................................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................3
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Exploitation of Women by Men ......................................................................................................5
Failures of Gender Exploitation Accounts ......................................................................................5
Men Succumb to the Demands of Beauty .......................................................................................6
Less Unequal but Still Gendered .....................................................................................................7
Gender, Gendering, Gendered .........................................................................................................8
Gender Equality Is Not Enough .......................................................................................................8
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................9
, Heather Widdows (2012) – More Pain, Who Gains?
Heather Widdows (2018). More Pain, Who Gains? In: Perfect Me: Beauty as an Ethical Ideal.
Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press (p. 231-252, 307-310).
Key concepts
Beauty Practices and Constraints:
- Explores conflict between personal choice and beauty obligations, acknowledging
empowerment but recognizing limitations.
Challenging Simplistic Views:
- Rejects simple explanations, highlighting complex benefits of women’s attraction to
beauty.
Transforming Beauty Ideal:
- Aims to propose positive changes to the pervasive beauty ideal, influenced by
globalization, technology, and ethics.
Rethinking Gendered Exploitation:
- Counters the view of women’s exclusive exploitation, questions hierarchical control,
and highlights men’s involvement.
Complexity of Beauty:
- Challenges trivialization of beauty practices, considering skills required, and the impact
on both genders.
Shift in Beauty Dynamics:
- Highlights men’s growing engagement in beauty practices, altering gender-based
beauty norms and dynamics.
Ethical Aspect of Beauty:
- Describes the evolving ethical value of beauty, dispelling triviality and influencing
societal views.
Vulnerability and Exploitation:
- Explores exploitation’s link to vulnerability, noting shifts if men also experience it,
affecting gender dynamics.
Changing Societal Views:
- Examines evolving objectification of men, challenges unrealistic standards, raising
concerns.
Heather Widdows (2012) – More Pain, Who Gains? ..........................................................................2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................3
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................4
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Exploitation of Women by Men ......................................................................................................5
Failures of Gender Exploitation Accounts ......................................................................................5
Men Succumb to the Demands of Beauty .......................................................................................6
Less Unequal but Still Gendered .....................................................................................................7
Gender, Gendering, Gendered .........................................................................................................8
Gender Equality Is Not Enough .......................................................................................................8
Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................9
, Heather Widdows (2012) – More Pain, Who Gains?
Heather Widdows (2018). More Pain, Who Gains? In: Perfect Me: Beauty as an Ethical Ideal.
Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press (p. 231-252, 307-310).
Key concepts
Beauty Practices and Constraints:
- Explores conflict between personal choice and beauty obligations, acknowledging
empowerment but recognizing limitations.
Challenging Simplistic Views:
- Rejects simple explanations, highlighting complex benefits of women’s attraction to
beauty.
Transforming Beauty Ideal:
- Aims to propose positive changes to the pervasive beauty ideal, influenced by
globalization, technology, and ethics.
Rethinking Gendered Exploitation:
- Counters the view of women’s exclusive exploitation, questions hierarchical control,
and highlights men’s involvement.
Complexity of Beauty:
- Challenges trivialization of beauty practices, considering skills required, and the impact
on both genders.
Shift in Beauty Dynamics:
- Highlights men’s growing engagement in beauty practices, altering gender-based
beauty norms and dynamics.
Ethical Aspect of Beauty:
- Describes the evolving ethical value of beauty, dispelling triviality and influencing
societal views.
Vulnerability and Exploitation:
- Explores exploitation’s link to vulnerability, noting shifts if men also experience it,
affecting gender dynamics.
Changing Societal Views:
- Examines evolving objectification of men, challenges unrealistic standards, raising
concerns.
