Analyzing Body Manipulation in Contemporary Society: A Sociology Essay

This essay delves into the multifaceted ways in which the human body is subject to manipulation within the context of contemporary society. It explores the pervasive influence of gender roles, examining how societal expectations and stereotypes shape body image and behavior. The essay further investigates the impact of race and ethnicity, highlighting how physical attributes and cultural backgrounds contribute to social perceptions and discrimination. The analysis extends to the realm of media, examining how cultural performances and public discourse, exemplified by the Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka tennis match, further shape these dynamics. The essay analyzes scholarly sources, applying sociological concepts to understand the complexities of how bodies are constructed and perceived in modern society, and concludes with a critical assessment of the ethical and social implications of these manipulations.

Running Head: CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Contemporary Society
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Topic - What makes your body particularly suited to manipulation as part of
a cultural performance in contemporary society?
It is the carcass of the society that the world is a highly gendered place because gender
plays a significant role in the everyday lives of people. Since the day a baby is born, he /she is
categorized and treated according to the biological distinction they are born with. However, the
biological difference has turned into gender differences. The terms ‘male ‘and ‘female’ have
transformed into ‘masculine ‘and ‘feminine’ and the division of has also been done according to
that1. Although the situation is not the same as it was in the early 90s, there are still some areas
where clear distinction based on gender is apparent. The gender difference is so all- present and
ubiquitous that it is often left unnoticed. A woman is the one to cook for the family and imposed
on the responsibility of child rearing.
When a woman grows up she stands in front of the mirror and contemplates to look
slimmer because the society has created a stereotype where the women are idealized in this
manner. It should also be acknowledged that gender differences not only piss off women. In
certain cases, men are also equally victimized. There is a difference between ‘sex ‘and ‘gender’
but both the terms have been mixed up2. It is surprising that ‘gender’ is a biological term which
has received more prominence in sociology. The biological differences have created a huge
sociological difference which is hard to bridge. Social and even cultural traits are denoted by
gender. While sex is a constant set of characteristics which cannot be changed, gender can be
1 Flintoff, Anne, Fiona Dowling, and Hayley Fitzgerald. "Working through whiteness, race and (anti) racism in
physical education teacher education." Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy 20, no. 5 (2015): 559-570.
2 Ajala, Taiwo. "Social construction of gender roles and women’s poverty in African societies: The case of the
Nigerian woman." International Journal of Gender and Women Studies4, no. 2 (2016): 1-10.

2CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
changed and actively works as social phenomenon which creates diversity in various places.
According to the theory of biological determinism masculinity and femininity are the
consequences of hormonal differences and different physical structure but if it is seen from the
perspective of sociology, it has social dimensions and defines man and woman according to the
perspective of society and the social construction.
Behind the mask of biological differences caused by hormones, the cultural and social
distinctions are taking place in a broader way. The physical construction and appearance
determines the social role one is supposed to play. These roles are taught to both the male and
female child in house by their parents. The so called ‘girlish’ or ‘boy like’ activities are taught by
the parents or the surrounding society3. The learning part is taught at home and the outer society
justifies that. The male domination or patriarchy is seen in various parts of the society. The
conventionality of roles is still intact within society. In the contemporary society, gender roles
hide the inequality within the society. A woman as well as a man is supposed to dress, behave,
talk and walk in a manner that is acceptable in society by the members of the society. The
physical difference is supposed to be acknowledged because it creates the huge social difference.
There are few scholars which argue that even the distinction between male ad feel are highly
impacted by the social forces. It is not kept only as biological differences. It exceeds and reaches
the social barriers. Body and physical traits do shape the way an individual will be treated in the
society he /she dwells in.
Race and Gender on the other hand also put deep impact on the society and its
construction. Even in the contemporary society that is said be ‘ultra-modern ‘in itself still makes
3 Flintoff, Anne. "Playing the ‘Race’card? Black and minority ethnic students' experiences of physical education
teacher education." Sport, Education and Society 20, no. 2 (2015): 190-211.

3CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
difference on the basis of color, race and ethnicity. The indigenous people of Australia who are
the true treasure of the country sometimes suffer from bleak lines of biasness4. Among the other
physical attributes such as hair type, color of the eyes, body shape and others, skin color makes
the most prominent distinction that determines the sol treatment an individual would receive.
Ethnicity consists of nationality, language, religion and culture. These components also
contribute to the way a person will be perceived in society. In terms of race, ethnicity and social
discrimination a significant aspect needs to be highlighted for better understanding.
For example, if the color based distinction asks to differentiate the Asians and the African
American, it will be well evident that some Russians also look like the Asians. Some America
born African origin people are also discriminated5. Therefore, the truth is that the body color is
not the only cause. The skin complexion is always associated with social inferiority, uncivilized
upbringing and lack of education. The issue is when a black person breaks all the barriers and
establishes in the society, he /she becomes a subject of biasness, disrespect and jealousy. It is
deep rooted within the psychology that certain countries or regions in the world exist to be
dominated and subdued. Hence, the people who belong to that parts of the globe are also subjects
to be dictated, dominated, neglected and stay inferior.
In the recent US Open’s Serena Williams versus Naomi Osaka tennis match, Serena
Williams is given three code violations warning. First of all, during the game, she has been
spotted receiving signals from her coach Patrick Mouratogolou that is unethical. Mrs. Williams
strongly disputes saying “I don’t cheat to win, I’d rather lose,” to the umpire of the match Mr.
4 Siim, Birte, Andrea Krizsán, Dominika Gruziel, and Anita Nissen. "D9. 7. Report of Case Studies on Gender
Equality as a Focus Point of National and Nativist Discourses." (2016).
5 Lentin, Ronit. "Migrant women’s networking: New articulations of transnational ethnicity." In Ethnicities and
Values in a Changing World, pp. 71-88. Routledge, 2016.

4CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Carlos Ramos. When the opponent the 20 years old Naomi Osaka scores higher than her,
Williams smashes the racket in frustration6. This is unexpected from a senior player like her and
incurs another penalty. Lastly she calls the umpire Ramos a thief to be stealing a point from her.
She is given a game penalty for verbally abusing the umpire. She asks the referee to come to the
court to mitigate the issue. Her accusation against Carlos Ramos is that he was biased against
Williams because she is a woman and “that is not right “. Finally, Osaka wins the match and
Williams rejects to shake hands with Ramos in disgust and asks Ramos to apologize7.
According to The Telegraph, it was not the first time Serena Williams engaged in s8ch
kind of activities due to losing points or entirely losing the game. In the year 2011, Williams had
accused the umpire Eva Asderaki calling her ‘a hater ‘and ‘ugly inside’. In the year 2009 too, it
was her semi-final with the opponent Kim Clijsters. In this match too she was penalized for a
point because she had abused a lineswoman ruthlessly. However, her coach Mr. Patrick has
honestly admitted that he had had prompted coaching signals when the game was continuing, it
is unethical and prohibited. It has been found from The Gurdian report, that the Wimbledon’s
chief has despised the Williams’s conduct and the All England Club chairman Philip Brook also
says that the duty of an umpire has been well executed by Carlos Ramos and it was
unsportsmanlike to abuse the umpire in such a way8.
6 telegraph.co. (2018). Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open 2018 final to Naomi
Osaka. [online] The Telegraph. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-
naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-final-live-score/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2018].
7 Graham, Bryan. 2018. "Serena Williams Burns The House Down As Naomi Osaka's Brilliance Is Forgotten". The
Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/09/serena-williams-us-open-tennis-final-2018-game-
penalty-naomi-osaka.
8 theguardian.com. 2018. "Serena Williams' Coach Advocates Change In Rules After US Open Controversy". The
Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/oct/18/serena-williams-coach-patrick-mouratoglou-in-match-
coaching.

5CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Therefore, it is apparent that Williams was completely wrong in her conduct during the
match. It is not that gender differentiation and racial discrimination do not happen in professional
context. However, in this context Williams should not have put the allegation of judging her on
the basis of her gender, because her opponent Naomi Osaka is also a woman who won the match.
Serena Williams had accused a lady umpire too which shows that it is not always gender, race,
color complex issue. The personal characteristics, psychology and nature also can mold his/her
approach towards the society.

6CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Reference
Ajala, Taiwo. "Social construction of gender roles and women’s poverty in African societies:
The case of the Nigerian woman." International Journal of Gender and Women Studies4, no. 2
(2016): 1-10.
Flintoff, Anne, Fiona Dowling, and Hayley Fitzgerald. "Working through whiteness, race and
(anti) racism in physical education teacher education." Physical Education and Sport
Pedagogy 20, no. 5 (2015): 559-570.
Flintoff, Anne. "Playing the ‘Race’card? Black and minority ethnic students' experiences of
physical education teacher education." Sport, Education and Society 20, no. 2 (2015): 190-211.
Graham, Bryan. 2018. "Serena Williams Burns The House Down As Naomi Osaka's Brilliance Is
Forgotten". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/09/serena-williams-us-
open-tennis-final-2018-game-penalty-naomi-osaka.
Lentin, Ronit. "Migrant women’s networking: New articulations of transnational ethnicity."
In Ethnicities and Values in a Changing World, pp. 71-88. Routledge, 2016.
Siim, Birte, Andrea Krizsán, Dominika Gruziel, and Anita Nissen. "D9. 7. Report of Case
Studies on Gender Equality as a Focus Point of National and Nativist Discourses." (2016).
telegraph.co. (2018). Serena Williams unleashes furious rant at umpire as she loses US Open
2018 final to Naomi Osaka. [online] The Telegraph. Available at:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2018/09/08/serena-williams-vs-naomi-osaka-us-open-2018-
final-live-score/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2018].

7CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
theguardian.com. 2018. "Serena Williams' Coach Advocates Change In Rules After US Open
Controversy". The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/oct/18/serena-williams-
coach-patrick-mouratoglou-in-match-coaching.