Body Image experiences and Challenges of Adolescent Girls from Urban and Rural Settings

In present times, “body image” has become a major concern for adolescent girls in India and has received tremendous scholarly attention. The current study is a qualitative investigation that endeavours to unmask the complexity of attitudes and lived experiences of Indian adolescent girls pertaining to the perceptions of body image. Specifically, this study examines the co-construction of the multiple aspects of adolescents’ image of their body as shaped by their family members, peers, and media. In doing so, the study builds upon previous researches through inclusion of adolescent girl participants from both rural and urban cultural contexts. To carry out the present study, a series of focus group discussions were conducted on Indian adolescent girls aged between 15-18 years. The thematic analysis revealed urban adolescent girls as being more vulnerable to body dissatisfaction in comparison to their rural counterparts. Interestingly, urban adolescent girls focused more on their height, weight, and physical appearance whereas their rural counterparts focused more on other elements of body image such as facial features, skin complexion and specific body parts. Thus, the differences in body image perceptions can be accounted by the socio-cultural context particularly the availability of resources and information.

Keywords: Body Image, Adolescent Girls, Rural and Urban