"Like many adults in American society, girls today are concerned with the shape and appearance of their bodies as a primary expression of their individual identity." (Brumberg, 220) There is no argument that society is preaching this. The argument, however, evolves from how this affects girl's identities in the long run. I would argue that over valuing appearance makes it more difficult for girls to aptly create/make/discover their identity later in life. I creates a lifelong struggle of valuing people's opinions of you over valuing who you really are. It extends and complicates the identity exploration unnecessarily. .
I don't think society is necessarily wrong for valuing appearance. It's the first identity expression you can observe from a person. However, our society values it far beyond anything else and that is where it becomes problematic. When any one aspect of identity overtakes others, whether it be appearance or a hobby, it takes up the room needed for other important aspects of identity to develop. "Typically, young people do not reach the achievement status for all aspects of identity at the same time." (Kail & Cavanaugh, 260) The over exasperation of one aspect of identity delays or interrupts the exploration of another. .
Furthermore, it's even more problematic when you realize specifically what physical attributes society demands. Girls are expected to have thigh gaps and prominent collar bones. It is demanded of them that they be extremely thin. The truth is these physical attributes aren't healthy or even possible for most girls. Having expectations about your body and physical health isn't inherently damaging; it's the particular expectations our society has. So the content of the standard is key here. It's not bad for society to have some expectations about physical appearance, but demanding girls be rail thin and saying it's bad to look masculine and harmful to girls' identities.
