Mental health is one issue in women that has been discovered because of body dissatisfaction from media. This is the most common negative effect from media on women’s body image. For example, “low self-esteem,” is a mental health issue that can arise either by itself, or accompanied by physical health issues. A deteriorated self esteem is not the only mental health issue, depression is also very common. With both of these, eating habits are likely to change, leading to physical health problems, (Grabe, Ward, and Hyde
Tiggeman, Marika writes, “This is not surprising when current societal standards for beauty inordinately emphasize the desirability of thinness, an ideal accepted by most women but impossible for many to achieve.” (1) In another study it is noted that unhealthy attitudes are the norm in term of female body image, “Widespread body dissatisfaction among women and girls, particularly with body shape and weight has been well documented in many studies, so much so that weight has been aptly described as ‘a normative discontent’”. (79) Particularly in adolescent and prepubescent girls are the effects of poor self-image jarring, as the increased level of dis... ... middle of paper ... ...ght, eating disorders, and other forms of self-destructive behavior has increased, coinciding with the disturbing notion that such problems are normal. Works Cited Tiggeman, Marika. “Body image across the life span in adult women: The role of self-objectification.” American Psychological Association 37. 2(Mar 2001): 1-253.
Women's sports media, Self‐Objectification, and mental health in black and white adolescent females. Journal of Communication, 53(2), 216-232. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2003.tb02587.x Google.co.nz,. (2014). Google Trends - Web Search Interest - Worldwide, 2004 - present. Retrieved 22 May 2014, from http://www.google.co.nz/trends/explore#q=%2Fm%2F09zfnc&cmpt=q Lenskyj, H. (1998).
Today society has never been more aware of the impact the media has on what is considered to be an attractive person. Those who are most vulnerable by what they observe as the American standard of attractiveness and beauty are young females. Their quest to imitate such artificial images of beauty has challenged their health and their lives and has become the concern of many. As a result, advertisements used in the media are featuring more realistic looking people. As the modern world has changed, the idea of what is beautiful has changed as well.
“Eating Disorders: How Social Media Helps Spread Anorexia And Bulimia In Young People.” The Huffington Post. AOL Limited, 23 April 2013. Web. 19 March 2014 . Zimmerman, Amanda and John Dahlberg.
Media, any form of mass communication- is one of the biggest factors in this widespread problem. Through the use of media, ideas, images, expectations of perfection is broadcasted throughout the country and on most occasions throughout the world. The portrayal of beauty in the media has contributed to a variety of psychological problems such as: misinterpretation of beauty, early exploration of sexuality and lowered sense of self worth which later leads to eating disorders. Technology is growing at an alarming exponential rate. With new technology comes new ways to manipulate a photo to make the ideal woman.
“What causes us to obsess over physical resplendency and not appreciate the things that makes women beautiful” (Darryl Robert). Beauty has numerous definitions of itself. Somebody else’s view point of something comely will not be identically equivalent to the other person. Beauty has always been defined with your physical appearance and not your inner appearance. The society view point of comeliness is someone that’s 6 foot tall, size 2, slender, and hot.
The body is a powerful tool - it shows us who we are and who we want to be. Images of the body are just as powerful. The media uses bodies to sell anything from cars to food. While this media tool is very successful, it has a downside in today’s world, and is often very negative toward peoples bodies. Simply stand in a queue at a shopping centre and you will find yourself surrounded by magazines advertising weight loss plans, fashion, and the best diet to take.
2014. McAvoy, Paula. “The Aims Of Sex Education: Demoting Autonomy And Promoting Mutuality.” Educational Theory. Academic Search Premier, 1 Oct. 2013. Web.