MODULE 2

UNPACKING THE SELF:

Physical, Sexual, Material, Political, Digital and Spiritual Self

Intended Learning Outcome:

By the end of the lesson, the students are able to examine one’s self against the different
aspects of self.

Lesson 1: Physical Self

Description of the lesson

After tackling the concept of self from different disciplinal perspectives, you will now learn
the factors that encompassed the complex structure of self. This lesson focuses on the
tangible part of an individual or the so-called physical self.
More often than not, we are bothered by the way we look from the eyes of other people.
Making us conscious or particular with the way we present ourselves. We may also have
noticed that with specific or different groups, they have their own definition of what is
beauty.
In this lesson, we will also learn to recognize cultural conceptions and standards of beauty
of face and body.

Appearance: the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears;
outward look or aspect
Culture: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or
social group
Demeanor:  a way of looking and behaving or how a person behaves
Physical Self: is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be
directly observed and examined.
Self-image: opinion of the body as influenced by culture and growing up experiences
Introductory Activity 1
Instruction: Draw or paste a picture of the person who you think is beautiful or
handsome. Write your reason below your drawing/photo as to why you think they are the
beautiful or handsome.

Reflective Questions: Answer the following debriefing questions. Write your answers on
the space provided.
1. How do you define beauty?
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2. Do you see yourself beautiful/handsome? Expound your answer.
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3. If you are given time, money and resources, what part of your body do you wish
to change?
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 There are people who value their face, appearance, body shape and strength,
especially with young men and women. Rarely are we completely satisfied with the shape
and condition of our body. Have you met anyone who is fully satisfied with their
appearance?
We are so eager to achieve the perfect shape of face to be called beautiful or
handsome. Dr. Stephen Marquardt discovered this golden ratio as a method of measuring
facial attractiveness in an objective manner. However, when this eagerness to achieve the
perfect ratio becomes an obsession, it somehow creates a threat to one’s health. Some
suffers eating disorders and others resort to plastic surgery.
As the world becomes smaller and connectivity improves, people began associating
beauty with happiness and prosperity. As a result of which, women from the East began to
covet the Western ideal of beauty. Being tall, fair, slender, having light eyes and light hair,
and Aryan features became the platinum standard for beauty.

The Impact of Culture on Body Image and Self-Esteem

The work of Anderson-Fye EP (2012) presented anthropology’s four areas of inquiry on
human appearance:
1. Descriptive diversity of human appearance:

Archaeologists and anthropologists provides the idea

that certain physical features of certain people could be
attributed to the environment and to individual’s
communal life.
wearing of large lip plates of
member of Mursi tribe

2. Cultural practices concerning art, particularly

body adornment and body modification:

An individual wore clothes and grooms according to

what is considered appropriate culturally. However, in Women with foot binding
some community body adornment and modification are or lotus feet are
not only for aesthetics but also an indicator of social considered beautiful in
China causing modified
status and power.
shape and size of the
appendages.

3. Beauty ideals:

It is socially arranging ideals of appearance that varies

from culture to culture Skin bleaching refers to
the use of products to
lighten dark areas of
the skin or achieve an
overall lighter complexion.
Some undergo this
procedure to avoid
discrimination or to
improve confidence.
 4. Appearance as indicative of group membership:

Physical appearance such as skin color, hair, tattoos and

etc. are indications of membership and identity. It also
includes involuntary membership particularly to the
marginalized identified with race and disease:
a. Racial categorization by skin color and bodily features.
Racial prejudice victims resort to skin bleaching,
surgery and other modifications to avoid racial African tribal tattoo and
discrimination. body piercing
b. Disease status, particularly those contagious such as
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, people associate
a certain physical appearance to the illness resulting to
emerge an ideal body that is socially acceptable.

Physical appearance has become symbolic. Societies vary on the meanings they
attach to a certain physical appearance. As a member of the society, living with the
expectations and wanting to feel belongingness, these symbols have become an avenue for
some to do the extremes. In some societies, people are very much willing to spend
thousands for the sake of physical alteration. There are also societies in which certain
individuals will undergo involuntary mutilation or surgery for the sake of beliefs.
Take note: The four areas of inquiry on human appearance tells us that people all
around the world do not share the same idea of what is beautiful. What may be beautiful
for us may not be beautiful for others, thus the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
In summary, it is true that how people look like creates judgment from others
whether it be positive or negative. But what is most important is how we see ourselves.
Are we truly satisfied of how we look like? Are there things we need to change or enhance
in ourselves?
Application:
Name: _________________________________________ Course, Year & Section: _______________________
Answer the following questions. Write your answers in the given space.
1. How does the socially constructed concept of beauty affects an individual both in
negative and positive sense?
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