Body Image and the Media
Pressure to Meet Unrealistic Physical Ideals and Eating Disorders
Sep 2, 2008
What consumers may not know, especially vulnerable teenagers, is that those enticing, slim pictures of women and handsome, muscular men, are often touched up and air-brushed. There are very few men and women who, in reality, meet the ideals the media pounds viewers with.
The constant barrage of unrealistic images influences the concepts of body value. More and more pictures are showing rib cages and skinny/bony arms and legs. According to Focus Adolescent Services (website), at least 10 million people within the United States are victims of eating disorders. Eating disorders are close to ranking at the top of U.S. mental health issues.
Out of 100 girls, one will develop anorexia nervosa. Compared to other psychiatric conditions, anorexia nervosa is the culprit for the most loss of life. Additionally, out of five female students, one will become bulimic (Melinda Tankard Reist, "Chasing an illusion, young women and magazines", ABC News, 9/12/2007.)
Studies are showing teenagers, women and men, are growing more insecure about their physical appearance. Of course this has a ripple impact presenting as low self-esteem, insecurity, even depression and loss of life.
Media Images of the Perfect Woman Causes Psychological and Emotional Damage
Adolescent girls often feel depressed after reading fashion magazines where skinny is the visual message. They learn that physical attractiveness and promiscuous activity are the components of success. They learn to see themselves as objects, thus it would logically follow that: if seen as an object, submit to being used like an object to find value/acceptance.
Here is a double whammy: obesity in children and adolescents is fast becoming a major health concern. Adolescent girls are hit with thin messages, muscular messages (for boys) for success and happiness as well as messages regarding health and obesity. Media needs to focus more on a middle ground--healthy living/lifestyle, not two extremes of the weight/success pendulum.
Adolescent Boys and the Media
The physical pressures women have been coping or not coping with (depending upon perception) for years, has now flooded onto the male gender. Adolescent boys are popping diet pills and engaging in extreme physical activities to develop those media perfect images of men. The difference is boys and men are less likely to talk about the pressures to look fantastic, and boys are not as aware as the female gender about advertising tactics.
Helping a Teenager with Media Pressures to Pursue the Perfect Body Image
- Praise the accomplishments of your teenagers, take an active interest in their interests;
- Inform them about the media deceptions;
- Do not criticise your teenager's bodily shape--few people naturally possess perfect bodies;
- Keep and pursue healthy lifestyles;
- Invest in improving the quality of life for others. Helping others is a "feel good" endeavor that raises personal self-esteem and increases the perception of the value of others; and
- Do not tease your sons or daughters about their physiques. Value your children for who they are on the inside, don't objectify them.
For Additional Information
Sources
Moey Malawe, "Mirror, Mirror", Inside Today's Bulletin, 10/12/2007, The Bulletin, Saturday, August 30, 2008.
David Rood, "Boys succumb to image ideal", March 27, 2003, www.The Age.com
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