ABSTRACT
A woman’s identity, her perception of herself as a woman, her femininity, and her self-confidence are closely bound up with her body image. The reflection she sees in her mirror will be less important than the view that other important people in her life reflect back to her. If she feels good, she is also likely to appear attractive to others; if she feels attractive, she is also likely to feel good. From our earliest days we benefit from experiencing the approval and admiration of others – first of our mothers, then of our fathers, and then of the wider world. Such enhancement of a woman’s self-esteem is important throughout her life.
