Digital Empowerment: Transformation of Women's Body Display Norms in the Age of Social Media

Ali Bai; Morteza Vahedian; Hassan Hessari; Mohammad Bai; Rashin Ghahreman; Hasan Piri

doi:10.55927/fjst.v3i8.10862

Authors

Ali Bai Wilson College of Business, University of Northern Iowa
Morteza Vahedian Department of Sociology, College of Humanities, University of Kashan
Hassan Hessari Department of Business Information Technology, Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech
Mohammad Bai Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tehran
Rashin Ghahreman College of Education and Human Ecology, Ohio State University
Hasan Piri Department of Sociology, College of Humanities, University of Kashan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjst.v3i8.10862

Keywords:

Digital Empowerment, Social Media, Body display, Physical capital, Self-manifestation, Identity Construction

Abstract

The increasing prominence of body display on social media has transformed how women engage with self-presentation and identity construction. This study examines the role of digital platforms, particularly Instagram, in reshaping norms surrounding body image and physical capital. Through 29 in-depth interviews, the research explores how women navigate digital spaces to express their identities, often challenging traditional societal expectations. Social media provides a unique environment where users can both display and reconfigure their physical appearance, empowering women to redefine their self-image. However, the freedom offered by these platforms also introduces challenges, such as heightened body dissatisfaction and mental health concerns, driven by the pressures of online visibility and comparison.

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