Ethnic Studies professor’s book focuses on female body standards
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December 18, 2024
How do women succeed in a neoliberal society?
In her recently released book Embodying Normalcy: Women’s Work in Neoliberal Times (Lexington Books), Lucia Soriano contends some U.S. women treat their bodies as projects that must be transformed every day in order to succeed in our society.
Soriano, assistant professor of ethnic studies and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies in Albion College’s Ethnic Studies Department, provides four case studies that draw on gender studies, media studies, disability studies, and American studies to illustrate the roadmap some women follow in an effort to achieve success.
Lucia Soriano’s recently released book is Embodying Normalcy: Women’s Work in Neoliberal Times (Lexington Books).
Soriano makes her case by using TLC reality shows, lifestyle and beauty influencers, Brazilian butt-lift TikToks, and celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
“Body standards for women remain and generally depend on what famous person is popular at that moment,” Soriano wrote in the book’s introduction. “It is worthwhile to point out that the presence of social media has meant that ‘trends’ abound and that almost anything or action can be turned into a trend if it gains enough traction on social media.”