Kardashians promote unrealistic expectations for beauty and sexuality
The Kardashians are not feminist because their "feminism" is centred around the monetisation of sexualised female bodies. The expectations they set are unrealistic and cause females undue stress and body-image issues.
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The Argument
Body image positivity is the idea of being comfortable in one's own skin. A proper understanding of this idea is especially important in this age of continually changing fashion fads. A wide range of those affected by body image issues is impressionable adults who also find themselves to be a large part of the target audience of shows like "Keeping up with the Kardashians."
While it is true that a woman's body is her own, it does not negate the fact that the image being depicted through such shows is still very much in the shackles of the stereotypical idea of beauty, femininity, and popular fashion culture.[1] By reinforcing such ideals they not only perpetuate them further, but also set standards of beauty that are impossible to meet. This has an adverse effect on their audience who are pushed deeper into the heart of their already ongoing crisis.
Kim Kardashian’s body has been a hot topic of debate and speculation over the years, like the time when people theorized that she had surgically removed her bones to achieve her waist size, or even the secret of her unattainable voluptuous figure. When body images are promoted by influencers (like the Kardashian-Jenner family) on social media platforms which have an exponentially larger reach than a tv show, these ideas become all the more problematic. It is so especially when those trying to emulate them are unaware of the due process behind it, or do not have the proper means to achieve them. Such people then end up using unhealthy ways like starvation, laxatives, unsafe beauty procedures, and so on which can be harmful to their lives.
The Kardashian-Jenners have established a multi-million dollar business company that thrives on the overt sexualization of the female body and feeds off of the insecurities of the others, ensuring that it is here to stay.
Counter arguments
The Kardashian-Jenners, with their popularity and fame, are no strangers to bullies who shame them for expressing their sexuality. This has not discouraged them from being their authentic selves, be it bold outfit choices or revealing photographs.
When a woman takes control of her body she breaks free of the confinement of the male gaze. She uses it to express herself. Why should the Kardashian-Jenners be any different? But they are mocked, humiliated, and repeatedly bashed for it by the double standards that exist in society. They refuse to succumb to the superficial standards of the beauty and fashion industry that celebrities are often held to. Their experiences show that a woman's body is forever changing, be it by sharing their personal anxieties about it, or Kourtney Kardashian famously stating that she's proud of her body; tiger stripes and all.
Is speculating and dissecting the sensual aspect of their bodies not objectification? They have chosen to rise above such hate as a family and inspired many to not just embrace their bodies, but also boldly use it to display their truth.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] The Kardashians focus on unrealistic beauty and femininity standards, thus establishing them as ideals to be achieved.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] They have encouraged many people to be comfortable with not just their bodies, but expressing themselves on social media platforms.