Body Image & Self Concept
Body image refers to the image a person has of their own body and how they feel about it. If a person is happy with their body shape and size, they will have a positive body image. On the other hand if a person is conscious of not being the desired shape or size, then they have a poor body image. Self-concept is the picture a person has of himself or herself as a total person. Self-concept includes body image, personality, intellectual capacity and the ability to ‘fit’ into society. People with positive a positive self-concept feel satisfied with life and the role they lay in society. Whereas people with a negative self-concept they generally see themselves as not ‘fitting in’. Good self-concept is based on having a good self-image and body image.
A survey was undertaken by the students in year 12 at Grace Lutheran College to see what they thought about these factors and their affect in participation in dance. In the survey that was done 40% of males were satisfied with the way they looked compared to approximately 5% of females saying they are satisfied with their body. With this in mind only 25% of males and 5% of females said the way they looked influenced their participation in sport and physical activity including dance.
These images stereotype men and women by constantly representing the 'ideal' body type for those who participate in dance. People with a positive body image tend to have a positive self-image and greater self-esteem than those who have a poor body image. Therefore, the development of a good body image is a crucial part in developing self-confidence. Having a positive body image is a significant factor in participation in physical activity. For people who do not have a good body image and self-concept it is hard for them to be confident enough to participate in dance especially when the clothing is stereotypically shown as tight fitting, short and skimpy.
With this being the case both males and females might not be comfortable in wearing these clothes and therefore impact the amount of people that want to participate in dance. Different body types such as ectomorphy, endomorphy and mesomorphy may not feel comfortable in participating in dance as they are not seen to be the acceptable body type. Normally it would be ectomorphy body types, that are slender and have body components related to thinness, which will be involved in dance. Whereas, people with a mesomorphy body type, are stereotyped to be involved in more masculine sports like rugby. Body image has one of the biggest impacts on the participation in sport and physical activity particularly for females in dance. The more confident a person is in themselves and their body the more likely they are to participate in dance and feel comfortable in doing their best.
With this being the case both males and females might not be comfortable in wearing these clothes and therefore impact the amount of people that want to participate in dance. Different body types such as ectomorphy, endomorphy and mesomorphy may not feel comfortable in participating in dance as they are not seen to be the acceptable body type. Normally it would be ectomorphy body types, that are slender and have body components related to thinness, which will be involved in dance. Whereas, people with a mesomorphy body type, are stereotyped to be involved in more masculine sports like rugby. Body image has one of the biggest impacts on the participation in sport and physical activity particularly for females in dance. The more confident a person is in themselves and their body the more likely they are to participate in dance and feel comfortable in doing their best.