Female Body Malleability and Anorexic Behaviours through Maternal Modeling and Weight Dyads in Shavin's "The Body Tourist"

<p>Human bodies begin as blank slates but are shaped by cultural norms and societal expectations after birth. Families play a pivotal role in this transformation, embedding beliefs about race, religion, ethnicity, and gender through their actions and behaviours. Social learning starts with parents and caregivers, who influence children’s perceptions of what is culturally acceptable. This article explores the vulnerability of female bodies to eating disorders, emphasising the role of maternal modelling and weight dynamics between mothers and daughters. Questioning the idealisation of motherhood highlights the shared gender and societal pressures that mothers and daughters face. Dana Leise Shavin’s memoir, The Body Tourist, reflects her journey of conforming to socially imposed body standards shaped by maternal influences. Insights from feminist scholars Susan Bordo and Naomi Wolf further explore how cultural norms impact the biological body, revealing the consequences of these adaptations.</p>