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What New Risks Do Women Face in the ? Humma Parween

Michel Foucault is undoubtedly one of the discipline. Anthony Giddens defines self- most influential theorists of the surveillance as, “assumptions about others nineteenth century as he exemplified changes one’s behaviour and limits what one discipline through the in his does” (Giddens and Sutton, 2013: 833). This is publication; Discipline and Punish (1977). a primary characteristic of modern society; Although the panopticon originated from the and I will specifically focus on the feminine English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, Foucault perspective of how has allowed and Bauman incorporate this to understand diet, exercise and cosmetic surgery to be key and analyse the wider society (Farinosi, 2011). social control outcomes. However, this is seen The underlying argument is the fact that as a growing contemporary risk because panoptic principles define women are any realm demanding increasingly instructions, and experiencing physical consciously, these and psychological principles are apparent in distress due to self- modern society such as the objectification closed-circuit (McCarthy, 1990). (CCTV) cameras (Norris and The idea of risk as seen Armstrong, 1999). by Beck and Giddens is Although we have “central to modern witnessed technological innovations far culture, and as having become a key superior to Bentham’s time, the principles of in the calculations of the self” (Petersen, the panopticon are largely unchanged, this is 1996:46).” This raises the question: why has imposed by the culture risk become a major point of discussion, and encouraging individuals, especially women, to how does it relate to self-surveillance? The risk monitor and observe the self to ‘fit in’ on social society was first coined by Ulrich Beck (1992) (Mc Carthy, 1990). who argued in the late modern period, once In this critical reflection I to explore in we have subjugated or limited the real more depth the idea of self-surveillance and challenges of premodernity. A few examples how the panoptic principles have led to self- being disease, natural disasters and bad

weather, we suffer from ones we are creating back to Beck (1992) this may seem to depict ourselves. Therefore, in relation to this unknown potential, but it may likewise discussion, self-surveillance is unquestionably exacerbate the feeling of weakness. increasing risks for women (McCarthy, 1990). In the book ‘The Entrepreneurial self’ by Ulrich “These psychological consequences in turn Brockling (2016) it states the fact life in late influence certain mental health risks, including modernity has become a competition for disordered eating and depression”(Greenleaf power, money, fitness and youth. In regard to and McGreer, 2010: 188). This traces back to Beck (1992) this is a growing risk, as women the panoptic principles of how social media are forming a collective aesthetic online and self-tracking apps challenge and create an identity and therefore those whom cannot unhealthy competition for women’s well- consume the high branded technology, causes being, as they are constantly pressured to exclusion and to a further extent depression present the ‘perfect’ self. Beck (1992, 2009) and . Although new technology such as also highlights the idea of self-reflexivity, the smartphone is a necessity it is also an suggesting women are actively pursuing expensive product. This has become a cultural information and making choices about their pressure and therefore you have to purchase own life. it to portray an ideal self-online, (Lupton, This refers to the panoptic metaphor as social 2017) which increase algorithmic likes and media and specifically the photo sharing comments, this promotes the sense of platform (Castells, satisfaction of existence 2010) creates a constant fear of (Elias and Gill, 2018). observation, inspection and the As well as social media monitoring of behaviour another prevalent self- (Giddens and Sutton, 2013). disciplinary methods Therefore, this intensifies self- women are increasingly discipline, which may result in incorporating the undereating or altering bodies to growing self-tracking fit their desired identity into their (Greenleaf and McGreer, 2010). lives, such as Fitbit and Lyon (2010) states self- the Apple watch surveillance to be further (Lupton, 2017). These mentioned in Bauman’s recent are the main suspects of self-surveillance in work; whether in their consciousness or today’s society due to their ability to track subconsciousness, women of our times are individuals. Although it is not gendered, the haunted by the spectre of exclusion” (pp. 329). article ‘Differences in mobile health app use: A of academic sources has implied self- source of new digital inequalities’ (Bol et al, surveillance through self-tracking and social 2018), is a very predominant of how media has created the ‘entrepreneurial self’ health apps and social media are the two key (Couch et al, 2015). This is a neoliberal method areas that encourage women to ‘self-care.’ of self-control where women are juxtaposed This means it is an ever-growing phenomenon with the self (Elias and Gill, 2017). Referring

and women will continuously track, calculate to obey the norm. His essential tenet of and analyse their lives through technology “power is that it cannot be located; it is (Lupton, 2017). As well as a form of self- everywhere and therefore also inside us (Vaz surveillance these emerging self-tracking and and Bruno, 2002: 273). are the self-care technologies such as the ones I have very basis contemporary risk through self- mentioned, are profitable for the capitalist surveillance because their persistent economy. ‘Capitalism and the ’ accessibility is creating and enhancing women by McChesney et al (1998) this point, to control and manipulate themselves it is argued information technologies are vastly (Whitson, 2013). developing and therefore they are a demand It is therefore an outcome of modernity where for the population, as a result of surveillance and the information technology and ever developing technology. are enabling these risks, this links to Beck’s We would not regard Foucault as an academic (1992) perception of risk being manufactured of technology however his vision in the by humanity and it is therefore a consequence “Technologies of the self” has an influence in of modern societies. The development of new today’s society. He was assessing the way technologies has brought society to witness a humans were consciously seeking information ‘new way of living’ as suggested by Webster of themselves and and Bloom, therefore establishing (2009:9). themselves new as Webster in his subjects (Foucault, article ‘An 1988). Modern society information is advancing on this Society’ point whereas suggests humans have begun to ‘quantify themselves’ (Lupton, 2017) through health modernisation has witnessed an 'information apps and therefore self-discipline, and self- revolution’ and therefore lifestyles have surveillance becomes a core aspect of society. modernised adapted to new social changes David Lyon is a key theorist who has studied (Castells, 2010). surveillance in depth, he argues the most It is common to think the panopticon is still significant contemporary surveillance is social relevant in modern society, however it is media as, it “develops an inner compulsion to concealing. Lyon (2007) suggests less ‘do the right thing’ (Lyon, 2007:59). This attention is paid to the newer forms of statement from Lyon has a direct link with surveillance such as the . Foucault’s work as he argued self-discipline is Therefore, it is significant to reflect on the idea promoted and internalised through the of the synopticon which characterises our panopticon and the ambiguity of whether or society but also the transition to not one is being observed generates the need postmodernity (Mathieson, 1997). He takes

into account new electronic technologies and to the synopticon and therefore women have how they are seen to be the new forms of more agency to impact their lives in a surveillance of contemporary society significant way. However, this agency is within (Mathieson, 2004). Once again information a technologically advanced world in which technology magnifies this as options are open women are expected to participate. to monitor anyone we feel, this suggests “we Additionally, it is debatable that the live in a viewer society” (Mathieson, 1997, advancement of modernisation and 219) where the many watch the many. “It is globalisation has led to greater risks and had a the normalising gaze of which negative impact of the self, due to this increase presumably produces that subjectivity, that in agency (Fuchs, 2011). self-control, which discipline people to fit into democratic capitalist society” (Mathieson, 1997:218). This critical reflection is essentially reflecting on this point. The idea of the panopticon has been replaced but still conforms to everyday life, in this case the increased pressures through the information society creates more risks for women around Bibliography: low self-esteem because the pressure to be Beck, U. (1992). Risk Society: Towards a New perfect or fit in is gendered. It is mainly women Modernity. : Sage. however in post-capitalist society men are also Bröckling, U. and Black, S. (2016) The victims of this (Haferkamp et al, 2012). Entrepreneurial self : fabricating a new type The synoptic effect meant women have of subject. Los Angeles : Sage, 2016. adjusted to the mentality of looking a specific Bol, N., Helberger, N. and Weert, J. (2018). way; therefore, keeping up with the trends ‘Differences in mobile health app use: A source and fashions is a form of the panoptic power of new digital inequalities?’ The Information as it controls and limits the way one is Society, 34(3), pp.183-193. perceived online (Haferkamp et al, 2012). For Castells, M. (2010). The Rise of the Network example, the intensifying female gym cultures Society, With a New Preface. Hoboken: John on Instagram is controlling the food intake to Wiley & Sons, Ltd. create docile bodies (Lupton, 2017). Couch, D., Thomas, S., Lewis, S., Blood, R. and “Yesterday we were nervous that we were Komesaroff, P. (2015). Obese Adults’ being watched and today we’re nervous that Perceptions of News Reporting on . we’re not being watched” (McCahill, 2002, SAGE Open. xiii). Social media draws heavily on this quote https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015612522. as the initial aim to diet, exercise or discipline Elias, A. and Gill, R. (2017). Beauty us is to watch and be watched. For example, surveillance: The digital self-monitoring the proliferation of the female bloggers online cultures of neoliberalism. European Journal of is a result of the synoptic society. This means Cultural Studies, 21(1), pp.59-77. power has been inverted from the panopticon

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