Fashioning Worker Protections to Combat the Thin Ideal's Cost on Fashion Models and Public Health

40 Pages Posted: 21 Nov 2023

See all articles by Erin E. Meyers

Erin E. Meyers

George Mason University - Antonin Scalia Law School

Date Written: November 20, 2023

Abstract

Studies linking thin-obsessed media consumption to poor health outcomes for women have permeated the medical literature for years. The pressures female fashion models face to sacrifice their health for their jobs are perhaps even more disturbing. These harrowing issues are symptoms of the "thin ideal," the social norm glorifying a female body type so thin it is unattainable for most women. Despite the clear harm imposed by the thin ideal, the United States has done little to combat its effect on the working conditions of fashion models and on public health more generally. This Note suggests that the US fashion industry currently lacks incentives to change its practices for the better. Thus, the United States should follow the lead of other major players in the international fashion industry and should incentivize its fashion industry members to avoid practices that result in extremely thin models.

Keywords: fashion models, public health, worker protections, fashion industry, thin ideal

JEL Classification: I1, I12, I18, K3, K31, K32, K39, L82

Suggested Citation

Meyers, Erin E., Fashioning Worker Protections to Combat the Thin Ideal's Cost on Fashion Models and Public Health (November 20, 2023). Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment & Technology Law, Vol. 20, 2018, Law & Economics Center at George Mason University Scalia Law School Research Paper Series No. Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4638623

Erin E. Meyers (Contact Author)

George Mason University - Antonin Scalia Law School ( email )

3301 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

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