Body and Gender: The Capricho Magazine and the production of feminine bodies

Abstract

Abstract: This paper discuss the construction of the feminine body, more specifically, about the construction of the identity of feminine gender produced and/or conveyed in the Capricho magazine, considered as a media product whose images and texts speak to adolescents of our time. Based on the field of Cultural Studies and History of Body the research emphasises three themes: heath, beauty and fashion. These themes emerged from the magazine once it speaks about them all the time. From the analyses realised it’s possible to state that Capricho, as part of a cultural pedagogy, educates girls to the construction of a young, modern, healthy and feminine body. A body that when being seen has a feminine style. The style is produced by its pages and the girls must invest in making different efforts like the acquisition of an athletic and healthy way of life, the valorisation of thinness as well as the composition of a style based on fads. Key-words: Gender, Body, Cultural Pedagogy