Aesthetic Labour

Rethinking Beauty Politics in Neoliberalism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, History & Theory, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Aesthetic Labour by , Palgrave Macmillan UK
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781137477651
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK Publication: January 18, 2017
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781137477651
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication: January 18, 2017
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

This volume approaches questions about gender and the politics of appearance from a new perspective by developing the notion of aesthetic labour. Bringing together feminist writing regarding the ‘beauty myth’ with recent scholarship about new forms of work, the book suggests that in this moment of ubiquitous photography, social media, and 360 degree surveillance, women are increasingly required to be 'aesthetic entrepreneurs’, maintaining a constant state of vigilance about their appearance. The collection shows that this work is not just on the surface of bodies, but requires a transformation of subjectivity itself, characterised by notions of personal choice, risk-taking, self-management, and individual responsibility. The book includes analyses of online media, beauty service work, female genital cosmetic surgery, academic fashion, self-help literature and the seduction community, from a range of countries.  

Discussing beauty politics, postfeminism, neoliberalism, labour and subjectivity, the book will be of interest to scholars and students with an interest in Gender, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Social Psychology and Management Studies.

“This highly engaging, smart, and wide-ranging collection analyzes how, under the self-governing mandates of neoliberalism, the demands that girls and women regulate and control their bodies and appearance have escalated to new, unforgiving levels.  A special strength of the book is its emphasis on the rise of ‘aesthetic labour’ as a global, transnational and ever-colonizing phenomenon that seeks to sweep up women of all races, ages and locales into its disciplinary grip.  Highly recommended.”

-Susan  J Douglas, University of Michigan, USA

the inherited responsibility that remains women’s particular burden to manage.”

-Melissa Gregg, Intel Corporation, USA

“This book incisively conceptualizes how neo-liberalist and postfeminist tendencies are ramping up pressures for glamour, aesthetic, fashion, and body work in the general public. In a moment when YouTube ‘makeup how to’ videos receive millions of hits; what to wear and how to wear it blogs clock massive followings; and staying ‘on brand’ is sold to us as the key to personal and financial success, ‘aesthetic entrepreneurship’ is bound to become a go-to concept for anyone seeking to understand the profound shifts shaping labor and life in the 21st century.”

-Elizabeth Wissinger, City University of New York, USA

 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This volume approaches questions about gender and the politics of appearance from a new perspective by developing the notion of aesthetic labour. Bringing together feminist writing regarding the ‘beauty myth’ with recent scholarship about new forms of work, the book suggests that in this moment of ubiquitous photography, social media, and 360 degree surveillance, women are increasingly required to be 'aesthetic entrepreneurs’, maintaining a constant state of vigilance about their appearance. The collection shows that this work is not just on the surface of bodies, but requires a transformation of subjectivity itself, characterised by notions of personal choice, risk-taking, self-management, and individual responsibility. The book includes analyses of online media, beauty service work, female genital cosmetic surgery, academic fashion, self-help literature and the seduction community, from a range of countries.  

Discussing beauty politics, postfeminism, neoliberalism, labour and subjectivity, the book will be of interest to scholars and students with an interest in Gender, Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Social Psychology and Management Studies.

“This highly engaging, smart, and wide-ranging collection analyzes how, under the self-governing mandates of neoliberalism, the demands that girls and women regulate and control their bodies and appearance have escalated to new, unforgiving levels.  A special strength of the book is its emphasis on the rise of ‘aesthetic labour’ as a global, transnational and ever-colonizing phenomenon that seeks to sweep up women of all races, ages and locales into its disciplinary grip.  Highly recommended.”

-Susan  J Douglas, University of Michigan, USA

the inherited responsibility that remains women’s particular burden to manage.”

-Melissa Gregg, Intel Corporation, USA

“This book incisively conceptualizes how neo-liberalist and postfeminist tendencies are ramping up pressures for glamour, aesthetic, fashion, and body work in the general public. In a moment when YouTube ‘makeup how to’ videos receive millions of hits; what to wear and how to wear it blogs clock massive followings; and staying ‘on brand’ is sold to us as the key to personal and financial success, ‘aesthetic entrepreneurship’ is bound to become a go-to concept for anyone seeking to understand the profound shifts shaping labor and life in the 21st century.”

-Elizabeth Wissinger, City University of New York, USA

 

More books from Palgrave Macmillan UK

Cover of the book Classical Masculinity and the Spectacular Body on Film by
Cover of the book The Development of British Tactical Air Power, 1940-1943 by
Cover of the book Advanced Outsourcing Practice by
Cover of the book Quality Management and Managerialism in Healthcare by
Cover of the book Emotional and Ethical Challenges for Field Research in Africa by
Cover of the book Informal Economies in Post-Socialist Spaces by
Cover of the book Energy Investments by
Cover of the book Motoring the Future by
Cover of the book From Stress to Wellbeing Volume 1 by
Cover of the book Criminology and Queer Theory by
Cover of the book Food, Health and the Knowledge Economy by
Cover of the book Presuppositions and Cognitive Processes by
Cover of the book The European Commission, Expert Groups, and the Policy Process by
Cover of the book Estimating SMEs Cost of Equity Using a Value at Risk Approach by
Cover of the book The Politics of Autonomy in Latin America by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy