Maternal influences on women's and men's body shame and body surveillance : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Research shows that body dissatisfaction is relatively common in the American society, particularly among European-American women. Sociocultural factors, such as the media, peers, and parents, play a significant role in the development of women's body dissatisfaction, including body surveillance and body shame. However, mothers, in particular, may be more influential than the media and peers in the development of women's body surveillance and body shame. Mothers will often emphasize the importance of thinness by actively encouraging their daughters to lose weight or by criticizing their body shape. However, women will often feel negatively about their bodies if they are unable to conform to the ideal body standard. This study proposes that there is a significant relationship between body surveillance, body shame, and maternal emphasis on appearance. Expected analyses and results for this study are also discussed.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.