University Students' Attitudes Towards Body Hair and Hair Removal: An
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Wayne State University DigitalCommons@WayneState Wayne State University Dissertations 1-1-2010 University Students' Attitudes Towards Body Hair And Hair Removal: An Exploration Of The ffecE ts Of Background Characteristics, Socialization, And Societal Pressures Bessie Rigakos Wayne State University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations Recommended Citation Rigakos, Bessie, "University Students' Attitudes Towards Body Hair And Hair Removal: An Exploration Of The Effects Of Background Characteristics, Socialization, And Societal Pressures" (2010). Wayne State University Dissertations. Paper 112. This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@WayneState. It has been accepted for inclusion in Wayne State University Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@WayneState. UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS BODY HAIR AND HAIR REMOVAL: AN EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTS OF BACKGROUND CHARACTERISTICS, SOCIALIZATION, AND SOCIETAL PRESSURES by BESSIE N. RIGAKOS DISSERTATION Submitted to the Graduate School of Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY 2010 MAJOR: SOCIOLOGY Approved by: ____________________________ Advisor Date ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ © COPYRIGHT BY BESSIE N. RIGAKOS 2010 All Rights Reserved DEDICATION This is dedicated to future sociologists who embark on the dissertation process, "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." ~ Unknown ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS If anyone was to ask, I would describe myself as a “product of Wayne State’s Sociology Department.” Through the years, there have been many people, such as my advisor, committee members, peers, and family members who have taught me about academia, sociology, and life in general. I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Dr. Heather Dillaway, who has been an excellent mentor and has continuously pushed me to do my best. She has worked tirelessly with me and read multiple drafts of my work over the years. Her comments, patience, and advice regarding this dissertation have been invaluable, and I am indebted to her for the years of support, training, and guidance that she has given me. I would also like to thank each of my committee members who helped me through this process in different ways. Dr. Janet Hankin eased my transition into graduate school by allowing me to become her research assistant for a summer, and referred me for a research assistantship through Wayne State University. Additionally, she was always available to provide me with her expertise and guidance regarding my dissertation. Her dedication to Wayne State and her students is admirable, and she sets the standard for the kind of professor I hope to become. Dr. Mary Cay Sengstock generously provided me with a valuable lesson. It was through her comments/feedback (critical and/or otherwise) that she was able to influence my thinking, which eventually allowed me to recognize my flaws/mistakes within this research. Dr. Jennifer Sheridan Moss showed sincere interest in this topic from the beginning, and that was a great inspiration to me during this process. I would also like iii to thank her for all the helpful insights, comments, and suggestions at my proposal. I feel fortunate to have an expert team of researchers on my dissertation committee. Heather Dillaway, Janet Hankin, Mary Cay Sengstock, and Jennifer Sheridan Moss have been exceptional role models. I appreciate all of the time and attention they have provided me and my research. I am eternally grateful for the training and mentoring I received from these individuals. I would like to thank my friends for being there for me during both the highs and the lows that accompany this journey. Thank you, Dr. Sasha Drummond-Lewis, Dr. Terri Kovach, Christina Cowen, and Danny Pantano. I appreciate all of these friendships in different ways. Sasha kept me sane and grounded, and forced me to push through this process. I could not have done it without her insight. Terri was never “too busy” to help me. My fondest memory of Chris is our first encounter. After missing my registration deadlines, I called the department and said, “I forgot to register for my classes.” After yelling, “Seriously, how many times have you done this!” she not only took care of the overrides but, from that point on and without hesitation, she took care of all my printing/scanning/override requests. Danny, my best friend for as far back as I can remember, found unique ways to inspire me, whether it was through our late night pep talks, by writing out my “ground breaking” ideas on a bar napkin, or teaching me how to deal with aging parents. I am forever thankful for this life-long friendship, and I look forward to your unique ways in the many years to come. There are obviously more friends than these four for whom I am grateful because of their help during this process; although their contributions may not be highlighted here, they will not be forgotten. iv I would also like to thank my big fat Greek family who are my biggest supporters. My mother and father told me that I could do anything I ever wanted. They taught me about life while spending endless hours discussing Greek history, philosophy, and mythology at our kitchen table. I realize now that their goal was to teach me determination and perseverance (“yes dad, just like Achilles in the Trojan War”). As for my brother, Taki, there are no words to describe our relationship. Throughout our lives, his love and support (especially his technical support) has been consistent and unconditional. I am proud of the man he has become and honored to call him my brother. I thank my aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephew for always making me laugh, and always come to visit me in Indiana (you know who you are). My family will always be my inspiration and the force that drives me to do my best. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my husband, Nektarios, who has been there from the beginning of this process. He has unselfishly supported me through the dissertation process, and I cannot express how much he has helped me grow. Every part of my life is better and brighter because of his love and support. Thank you all for believing that I could do this. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication…………………………………………………………………………….ii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................... iii List of Figures ................................................................................................. xii Chapter 1 - Introduction .................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 - Research on Beauty Ideals and Body Work .................................. 8 Becoming Beautiful: Why a Woman Wants to “Fit In” ......................... 9 Doing Beauty for Others ................................................................... 16 A Matter of Choice? Social Rewards via Hairlessness ..................... 19 The Physical and Mental Effects of Beauty Ideals ............................ 23 Gender Identification and Beauty Rituals ......................................... 27 Negative Effects of Body Hair Removal ............................................ 29 Chapter 3 - Sociological Theories of the Body ............................................... 34 Foucauldian Feminist Theories ......................................................... 35 Symbolic Interaction and the Body ................................................... 38 Objectification Theory ....................................................................... 39 Chapter 4 - Methodology ................................................................................ 44 A Change in Research Goals ........................................................... 45 Hypotheses ....................................................................................... 46 Hypotheses (Revised) ...................................................................... 50 Dependent Variables ........................................................................ 54 Independent Variables ...................................................................... 56 Instrument and Procedure ................................................................ 65 vi Data Analysis ..................................................................................... 72 Chapter 5 - Results ........................................................................................ 75 General Sample Profile ...................................................................... 77 Descriptive Results ............................................................................. 79 Descriptive Results on All Independent Variables for Removers ........ 86 Descriptive Results on All Dependent Variables for Removers .......... 97 Bivariate Analyses .......................................................................... 104 Data Modification for the Independent Variables used in Bivariate Analyses ............................................................................ 105 Relationship between Social Background Characteristics and Other Independent and Dependent Variables .................................. 110 Relationships between Attitudes towards Body Hair, Engagement in Other Bodily Routines, and Public/Private