Perfect Body Image Has Changed Throughout History

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How many of you have looked at an image of a model, and have mentally questioned why you don't look just as good? Im pretty sure many of you sitting here have done so.

You realise that you feel very self conscious about your overall body image. Body image is defined as the way the person perceives themselves , physically and mentally. Our perception on beauty has been altered disturbingly, ever since media has played a role in society. When we look at celebrities, we generally idealise them , without processing the fact that they’ve been photoshopped, plastered in tons of makeup , used lighting and photographers and most obvious, had previous cosmetic surgeries. We’re completely oblivious to the fact that it is unattainable to be that “ perfect”, hence why we start believing these lies. People are constantly bombarded with all these advertisements, which eventually results in low self esteem for the individual. In fact it is stated that an average child sees 40,0000 number of commercials in one year.Young teenagers are manipulated into believing everything that is said , which leads to the state in where they resort to unhealthy measures. Different campaigns are aware of the impact that it has, and they try to prove that the over all appearance isn't what matters most. Teenagers and kids need to be informed by having speakers at their schools.

There is no doubt that celebrities look stunning in their photo shoots, but it is also obvious that they don't exactly look as they're portrayed to be. Our perception on beauty is distorted, the one factor that contributes to that is the use of photoshopping, makeup and surgeries. Teenagers, specifically look at these images and instantly feel very self conscious about how they look...

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... to 12th grades have reported that magazine pictures had influenced their idea of a perfect body shape. It is clear that the media has altered and distorted our perception on beauty. We no longer think beauty comes down to someones personality, but what size we are, and how attractive we look. Even though campaigns like dove have attempted to prove to people from different ages, genders and sizes, that beauty comes within, it has only little impact, and the media itself dominates it.

Can you not see how media has manipulated us into believing that our appearance is what matter most? A study also found that adolescent girls were more fearful of gaining weight than getting cancer, nuclear war or losing their parents.

Marilyn Manroe quotes “ to all the girls that think you’re fat, because you’re not a size zero you’re the beautiful one, it’s society who’s ugly”.

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