Image of The Politics and Economics of Body Image and Sexuality in Africa: Thoughts from a Path Less Travelled

Gender and Sexuality

The Politics and Economics of Body Image and Sexuality in Africa: Thoughts from a Path Less Travelled

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Body image is internal and external. It is seen by ourselves and by
others. Social body image constructs seem to be built on what is
deemed to be beautiful within our cultural contexts, which in turn is
perceived as valuable and in turn has higher social standing because
everyone else looks up to it. The politics of body image is often a
‘black and white’ affair, without much room for manoeuvring. You are
either the strong male or the weaker female. Together with the outward
appearance, the sexualities of the bodies must also complement each
other. But it is a semi-artificial construct which not all people can adhere
to, much less attain, though they all try. What happens then with
women or men who defy these constructs of body image and sexuality
– who turn them on their head? How does the society adjust to these
kinds of individuals in its already defined and constructed political
arena? This article seeks to expose the lived realities of persons who
fail to conform to the expectations of the society, namely sexual and
gender minorities.

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Number of Pages
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ISBN
-
Language
English
ISSN
1024-0969
Subject(s)
economics
Politics
Image
Sexuality in Africa
Semi-Artificial
Body Image
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Article
Part Of Series
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DOI Identifier
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