SOCIO-CULTURAL AND PHENOMENOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE BODY: contribution to the approach by health professionals

Abstract

This article reflects on the socio-cultural and phenomenological aspects of the body. In the socio-cultural field, a certain type of body is prioritized: slim, fit, and young. It becomes an object of consumption, sponsored by the beauty industry, the media, the fashion industry, and the consumer society. The phenomenological aspect deals with the way the body presents and manifests itself objectively and subjectively. The body is a manifestation of the mundane, temporal, mortal, sexual, personal, social, and historical dimension, as well as an expression of human subjectivity. The bibliographical methodology employed seeks to establish a dialogue with authors who reflect on the socio-cultural and phenomenological aspects of the body. The methodological approach consists in presenting the socio-cultural aspects of the body followed by its phenomenological aspects. The conclusions show that the socio-cultural aspect focused on the visible and objective aspect of the body, and the phenomenological dimension on its subjective and human aspect. Providing an integrated vision of both aspects is therefore necessary.