Significados del cuerpo femenino desnudo: Dibujo y análisis colectivo

Abstract

The aim was to analyze the meanings that young women attach to their bodies and genitals, and to determine how useful the drawing of the naked body and collective analysis are. A group of 8 Psychology undergraduates (7 women and one man) was involved. They were asked to make drawings of their naked bodies. After finishing, each one showed their drawings to the group, where these were analyzed. Both activities were filmed. For this report only drawings made by women were selected. It was found that they did between 1 and 5 drawings of their developing bodies, which corresponded to different stages. The older the age represented, the taller the figure drawn. They drew their bodies facing and standing, except for prenatal and child stages. They drew smiling faces. The faces and attitudes of the bodies of each design were similar during the development. Waist and hips curves, nipples, breasts, vagina and pubic hair were more prominent until the drawings that represented adolescence appeared, being central to the definition of female body and sexual maturation. The makeup and the combing of the hair were naked-look elements. Some aspects of their bodies (fatness, extreme thinness, sensual curvature, child-like appearance) were awkward for some participants due to their negative social experiences in this regard. The drawings captured realistic aspects of the represented bodies. The design, presentation and analysis of the drawings of the naked bodies at times involved a certain discomfort, shyness and embarrassment. It was concluded that: (1) the body and sex-genital meanings come from negotiations in specific contexts where the individuals and their own paths of life play an active role; (2) some meanings attributed to the transformation of naked bodies and genitals, both their own and others, and these attitudes or reactions by making drawings, references and interpretations, are consistent with the cultural meanings of gender on the female bodies that are moralists and shameful; and (3) the drawing of the naked body, individual and collective exploration and discourse analysis were useful tools to study the representation and significance of the changes occurring in the bodies and genitals of the participants.