During background research for the book and play, Ms. Brumberg discovered an interesting aspect of how the American female's social role has evolved during the last century. She examined the personal diaries of adolescent girls from the early 1900s until the present. She noted a significant transition from women being valued for their good works (then) to women being valued for their good looks (now). Brumberg commented:

"I think almost all of us women have some kind of bad body fever; some kind of angst about some part of our bodies that's less than perfect. ... Not everybody has eating disorders, but in a way we all have body projects. Every woman has to come to grips with what is a responsible and intelligent way of dealing with these pressures." (Source: www.theithacajournal.com)

Labels: pressures, influences, society

Posted By: Aspen Education Group