THE SOSIAL END HISTORICAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONCEPT OF BODILY BEAUTY

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the social and historical construction of the concept of body beauty, understanding how different cultural, philosophical, religious, economic, and media contexts have influenced the ways bodies are perceived, valued, and hierarchized over time. The methodology adopted was a qualitative bibliographic study, grounded in authors from the fields of Sociology, Philosophy, Communication, and Cultural Studies, such as Le Breton, Eco, Bourdieu, Bauman, and Debord, among others, allowing for a critical and interpretative analysis of discourses on the body and beauty. The main results indicate that beauty standards are neither universal nor natural, but rather mutable historical constructions, often associated with power relations, consumption, and social control, which are intensified in contemporary society by the media and social networks. It was also found that the imposition of unattainable aesthetic ideals contributes to body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and physical and mental health problems. It is concluded that it is essential to question these standards and promote a more inclusive conception of body beauty that values diversity, individuality, and well-being, contributing to a healthier and more critical relationship with the body in contemporary society.