Why is there currently such strong academic and popular interest in âthe bodyâ in contemporary societies? What factors shape our conceptions of the body its naturalness health and normality? What is the mind-body dualism and why should it matter? This book examines these and other body questions from a critical socio-cultural perspective. In particular it shows how conceptions of the body are affected by processes of individualization medicalization and commodification. Chapters discuss the impact of new biomedical technologies on the notion of the natural body efforts to reshape and perfect the body the role of the media in âframingâ body issues processes of body classification the impact of consumerism on concepts of health healing and self-care and the implications of theoretical and practical efforts to âintegrateâ mind and body. This book will be an invaluable source for those seeking to understand the social cultural and political significance of âthe bodyâ in contemporary society. . Language: English