I find that society definitely takes things to the extreme when it comes to trying to be beautiful. While not everyone may do it, a large amount of both men and women take things too far while trying to become “fit” or “pretty”. “Men desperately want to look like adonis, because they constantly see the “ideal,” steroid-boosted bodies of actors and models.” (Cloud, 49). In 1999, American men spent more than four billion dollars on home exercise equipment and gym memberships, and in 1996, men in total had around 700,000 cosmetic procedures done (Cloud, 49). These numbers show that a large amount of men are unsatisfied with their bodies, and go to drastic lengths to achieve what the media is showing. Plastic surgery is not a decision to take lightly because it …show more content…
This is so much more extreme than what a normal person would do, because most would never want to have surgery unless it were absolutely necessary. Another extreme option that a many men take is to use steroids. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Teenagers in even larger numbers are buying legal but lightly regulated food supplements, some with dangerous side effects.” (Cloud, 49). Even young children are attempting to change how they look in a very dangerous way, all while knowing the (sometimes permanent) side effects that such supplements have on their bodies. Women are not exempt from this phenomenon of going to extreme lengths to be what society considers perfect. A very common idea in other countries is that “Few people are blessed by nature and circumstance with the Golden Mean proportions that seem to be universally appreciated. Thus, in the end, it is more democratic to think of beauty or attractiveness as an attribute that one can acquire.” (Franke-Ruta, 64). Because of this mindset, most women believe that if they try hard enough and change enough about themselves, they might become beautiful,
Beauty is a cruel mistress. Every day, Americans are bombarded by images of flawless women with perfect hair and smooth skin, tiny waists and generous busts. They are presented to us draped in designer clothing, looking sultry or perky or anywhere in between. And although the picture itself is alluring, the reality behind the visage is much more sinister. They are representations of beauty ideals, sirens that silently screech “this is what a woman is supposed to look like!” Through means of media distribution and physical alteration, technology has created unrealistic beauty ideals, resulting in distorted female body images.
Societal constructs of bodily perfection have a massive influence on both genders and on all ages. If you look at any magazine, you will see women constantly being compared to each other, whether it is in the “who wore it better” section or in the “do’s and don’ts” part of the magazine, comparing body images and overall appearances. All parts of the media that encompasses our daily lives are especially dangerous for young and impressionable teens because they see people being torn down for trying to express themselves, and are thus taught to not only don’t look like “don’ts”, but also look like the “do’s”. This is dangerous in that women in the magazine set very high standards that teens want to emulate, no matter the cost to themselves or their health. Celebrities have the benefit of media to make them appear perfect: Photoshop and makeup artists conceal the imperfections that are often too apparent to the naked eye. Viewing celebrities as exhibiting the ideal look or as idols will, in most cases, only damage the confidence of both young teens, and adults, and warp the reality of what true “beauty” really is. It makes teens never feel truly content with themselves because they will be aiming for an ideal that is physically impossible to attain and one that doesn’t exist in the real
We hear sayings everyday such as “Looks don’t matter; beauty is only skin-deep”, yet we live in a decade that contradicts this very notion. If looks don’t matter, then why are so many women harming themselves because they are not satisfied with how they look? If looks don’t matter, then why is the media using airbrushing to hide any flaws that one has? This is because with the media establishing unattainable standards for body perfection, American Women have taken drastic measures to live up to these impractical societal expectations. “The ‘body image’ construct tends to comprise a mixture of self-perceptions, ideas and feelings about one’s physical attributes. It is linked to self-esteem and to the individual’s emotional stability” (Wykes 2). As portrayed throughout all aspects of our media, whether it is through the television, Internet, or social media, we are exploited to a look that we wish we could have; a toned body, long legs, and nicely delineated six-pack abs. Our society promotes a body image that is “beautiful” and a far cry from the average woman’s size 12, not 2. The effects are overwhelming and we need to make more suitable changes as a way to help women not feel the need to live up to these unrealistic standards that have been self-imposed throughout our society.
In today society, beauty in a woman seems to be the measured of her size, or the structure of her nose and lips. Plastic surgery has become a popular procedure for people, mostly for women, to fit in social class, race, or beauty. Most women are insecure about their body or face, wondering if they are perfect enough for the society to call the beautiful; this is when cosmetic surgery comes in. To fix what “needed” to be fixed. To begin with, there is no point in cutting your face or your body to add or remove something most people call ugly. “The Pitfalls of Plastic Surgery” explored the desire of human to become beyond perfection by the undergoing plastic surgery. The author, Camille Pagalia, took a look how now days how Americans are so obsessed
...ters of the covers of women’s magazines include at least one message about how to change a woman’s body image by cosmetic surgery. These articles about appearance are damaging because it leads to seriously unhealthy lifestyles that women and teenagers think they need to look beautiful. In addition to that, Teen Magazine published in 2003 an article saying that children from age 6-12 have been on a diet and are now considering plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery sends the message that the prejudices some people have about appearance are valid, which is very wrong.
The media has had an increasingly destructive effect on young people who are becoming worryingly obsessed with their body image. The media is saturated in sexual imagery in which young people have to face every day. The sheer volume of sexual imagery in the media today has resulted in the vast majority of young people to become hooked on looking as near to perfection everyday by using the latest products and buying the latest fashions. This used to be enough but lately the next step to achieving perfection is cosmetic surgery. Everyone wants to look attractive, especially teenagers who are not only put under massive strain to succeed but to look beautiful and climb the ranks of the social ladder, and it seems that the only way to achieve the much desired beauty is to turn to drastic measures.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In our society today, people would rather see what celebrities are up to than what is going on with our health plan. Watching the news makes us aware of the latest trend, new gadget, who’s in rehab, or who has an eating disorder. In the eyes of society, women like Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, and Megan Fox are the epitome of perfection. What girl wouldn’t want to look like them? Unfortunately, this includes most of the girls in the US. Through TV shows, commercials, magazines or any form of advertising, the media enforces a certain body type which women emulate. The media has created a puissant social system where everyone must obtain a thin waist and large breasts. As a society, we are so image obsessed with the approval of being thin and disapproval of being overweight, that it is affecting the health of most women. Women much rather try to fit the social acceptance of being thin by focusing on unrealistic body images which causes them to have lower self esteem and are more likely to fall prey to eating disorders, The media has a dangerous influence on the women’s health in the United States.
In conclusion it is possible to see how the media promotes a physical and psychological disease among women through the usage of unrealistic body images as it urges them to change their bodies, buy “enhancing” products, and redefine their opinions. Such statements may appear to be ridiculous, but for young women who are seeking to perfect their body according to how the media portrays “good looks” it is the basis for corruption. Confidence, contentment and healthy living are the keys to a perfect and unique body image and no amount of money can advertise or sell as genuine a treatment as this.
It is also true that we can change and enhance our body features through elective cosmetic surgeries. Many people choose to undergo these surgeries because they are unhappy with their appearance. I feel that these procedures are unnecessary, and that you shouldn’t undergo surgery unless you need it for your health. I believe that people go through these procedures purely because they have low self-esteem. Society tells them that there is something wrong with their body, and they feel that they need to change it to fit in. I think that this is a way to see if someone is truly happy with themselves, as we all should. No one is perfect, so no one should try to be it. It’s just a waste of time and money on their part all so they can fit in, which I think is pathetic. It is always a risk to undergo surgery, and there is no reason to put yourself in unnecessary risk. I think that it is ridiculous to put yourself through something like that. If I had a ten year old dark-skinned African American daughter who wanted blue contact lens, have her skin chemically lightened, and straighten her hair, I definitely say no.
People feel increasingly pressured by the media about their bodies. Each day we are bombarded by the media with all sorts of image related messages about the “perfect
In the Media, women are feed the false illusion of what the perfect woman is supposed to be, what body type is ideal, what color of skin is preferred. In magazines, women are bombarded with suggestions of what men really want by “experts”. Which again, are mostly men. We are not allowed to be our unique selves, to be different, to love who we are. Equally speaking, social media has become a monster in falsely allowing women to believe there is such thing as perfection. Photo shopped pictures are idolized and ordinary women feel the need to change their bodies. When all they want is to feel accepted and
There is at least one situation where it is better to sacrifice appearance for reality. The situation is drug use. In this situation, there are three reasons why it is better to sacrifice appearance for reality. First, Drug use is only a momentary pleasure. Second, the continued use of one drug will eventually cause you to use other drugs.
Many people only think that women have the pressure of being flawless; however, the study shows that is not true. Not every men in the today’s world define themselves as dangerous, exciting, powerful, wealthy, tough, no emotions, has complete self-control, loves violence, and controlling women. These word our descriptions of what men are stereotyped in media. Also not everyone woman defines themselves as motherly, kind, powerless, emotion filled, no control, patient, creative, sexy and stupid. However, the media depict women to be this way. The reality is that research suggests that one in four people with eating disorders are men. Images of Adois-like male models with six-packs and, seemingly flawless professional athletes are shown every as an example of what men are suppose to look like. Girls are forced to look the right way to the point where they 're worth is often equated with their physical beauty. In fact, women experience an average of 13 negative thoughts about their body each day for example, an “I hate my body” thought. There was a survey done on 5th to 12th grade girls that looked at the negative influence of media on the perception of body image. 47% of the girls said they want to lose weight to look like famous people because of the people shown as beautiful on magazines. 69% said that magazine pictures influenced their idea of what the “perfect body” looks like (Jennifer L &Eugene V, 2004). Body image issues are relevant in both gender
Society’s version of a “perfect body” has driven this generation wild. It has corrupted the minds of everyone making the people think they have to be skinny and fit, but not too skinny and not too fit; this is especially true for women. Women and men have had to hear how their bodies need to look all their lives for example, how they need to have curves but not too many curves, and if you are flat chested, you need more. Society has contradicted how all generations appearances need to reflect their opinions of a right or wrong body, and it has caused many issues for the people themselves, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa.
“Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” This saying first appeared in the 3rd century BC in Greek. It didn't appear in its current form in print until the 19th century, but in the meantime there were various written forms that expressed much the same thought. This famous saying implies that everyone has their own definition and recognition of beauty. What is seen as a marvel to one person might be the complete opposite to another, just like a dress that I found very beautiful but my Mum found it not at all nice which explains the saying “One man’s garbage is another man’s treasurer” (Aighearach).Beauty… some people believe that beauty is all physical, having great looks, having all the guys and girls fawning all over you because you are the hottest bloke or chick in the school or wherever you are. Some people believe that beauty is the clothes you wear, the make-up you put on. I say those things are just physical beauty. Inner beauty is of the heart, it’s the person you are, you actions and reactions to other people, your way of life. Inner beauty is the beauty of the heart, being selfless, reliable, loving and caring and always willing to help even if you don’t know the person. Real beauty is about always being willing to assist anyone even if there is nothing in it for you except the pure pleasure of seeing satisfaction, content on the other person’s face, that person has inner beauty. It represents goodwill and kindness.