Authors
Abstract
The appearance of body, which is considered as people’s physical capital, is influenced by cultural position of individuals. People have different attitude towards their body and appearance depending on their cultural capital. In addition, in today’s world visible characteristics and features of individuals are ever more important than they used to be in the past. Thus, as appropriate and desired appearance is gaining importance in different social groups, particularly youngsters, this study investigates the relationship between cultural capital and appearance management among the youth. In order to investigate this relationship, the theory of Anthony Giddens and Pierre Bourdieu are used. Data collection is conducted through a questionnaire. The sample population consists of youngsters between 15 to 25 years old residing in Babolsar city. Through proportional multi-step cluster stratified sampling and Cochran formula 380 cases are chosen as the statistical sample of the study. The results of descriptive findings show that nowadays young people control their weight in order to look physically attractive and young in front of others, thus more youngsters are inclined to join a bodybuilding and fitness club. Based on gender analysis, a greater number of girls resort to dieting to keep their bodies fit (40 percent) while higher number of boys choose sports clubs (58/15 percent). The findings show that among the many criteria, hair and face makeup along with using perfume are more important than other items of appearance management. Age and native language had no significant relationship with body management. In addition, there is a positive and significant relationship between cultural capital and appearance management. In general, the results of descriptive statistics show that girls and boys use a variety of mechanisms for appearance management to a degree that these mechanisms put their health at risk. As modernisms, culture of media, commercialization, fashion and beauty industry, have put great importance on attractive bodies, a situation referred to as Physical Culture which is prevalent among boys and girls
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