Effects of Mass Medias Ideal of Thinness - 1482 Words

In today’s day and age, more and more individuals are changing their perspectives to match that of the media’s current ideals. Concern over the media’s influence on body image has recently risen, striking the notion that many people regard the images shown throughout media as ‘real’. However, unbeknownst to them, such unbelievably thin body types are not quite attainable in reality, and therefore, individuals’ own beauty ideals and body images become unrealistic. The mass media’s ideal image of thinness has greatly impacted the overall body image of today, and has been linked to negative consequences such as appearance dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and depression. Society is suddenly spiraling down into a dark chasm of which it may not be able to escape. Unrealistically thin models and actors are often spotted on television screens, leaving individuals all over drowning in their own envy. Ridiculously small figures are found in man y films, plastered across the internet, and even strutting down the red carpet. Magazines are suddenly bombarding its readers with articles on how they can lose those extra pounds and ‘get everything’: the fairytale marriage, the successful career, and an overall happy life. Unfortunately, many people – especially the young minds of whom are the most impressionable – let themselves be influenced by such images. (Harriger) Barbie, a favorite among young girls for decades, has also been recognized as a major influence. Though it is oftenShow MoreRelatedTeenage Girls and Body Image Essay1291 Words   |  6 Pagesat an impressionable time in their lives. Mass Media is a key idea in one of the factors of socialization that become important to teenagers. Teenagers look to the media for a sense of entertainment. Whether it is movies, magazines, or even some aspects of social media, teenagers get a lot of influence from the media’s message. The problem wit h this is the media has a specific way of doing things and can be negative to a susceptible teenage girl. Media’s way of portraying a woman can be skewed andRead MoreAnalysis of Article: â€Å"Influence of Mass Media on Body Image and Eating Disordered Attitudes and Behaviors in Females† by Jordi Fauquet, et al.747 Words   |  3 PagesMass media consists of a range of multimedia technologies that have enhanced our way of communication. The media conveys norms and attitudes that socially construct those who are involved. Inadvertently, the media depicts a widely accepted misconception of personal image. â€Å"Influence of Mass Media on Body Image and Eating Disordered Attitudes and Behaviors in Females† reveals the high correlation between media content and females’ idea of beauty. Although the article does not specify on their intendedRead MoreMedias Destructive Influence on Women Essay1215 Words   |  5 Pagesalso are affecting their overall health. Today’s mass media messages are having a negative effect on how women perceive themselves. I would like to propose a project which involves analyzing several women, of many different age groups, across their lifespan while testing how much the media affects their lives. In the paragraphs below, I am going to summarize three research articles concerning this topic. The first article is titled: The Effects of the Media on Body Image by Amanda J. HolmstromRead MoreThe Media s Influence On Society1560 Words   |  7 Pagesbombarded with this unrealistic standard everyday and everywhere. It gives them a goal that is impossible to reach and the effects are devastating. What is even worse is that society has become so accepting of the idea that size 2 is what defines beauty and perfection. And that needs to change. From magazines to television and everything in between, the media has a profound effect on women and the way they perceive themselves and their bodies. The media typically glamorizes skinny models who do notRead More The Medias Influence on Eating Disorders Essay example1100 Words   |  5 PagesThe Medias Influence on Eating Disorders The National Eating Disorders Association states that eating disorders are conditions that arise from factors including physical, psychological, interpersonal, and social issues. Media images help define cultural definitions of beauty and attractiveness and are often acknowledged as one of the factors that contribute to the rise of eating disorders (NEDA). The National Eating Disorders Associations website, The Effect of the Media on Body SatisfactionRead MoreWomen and adolescent girls are exposed, daily, to the medias portrayal of perfect beauty. Being1600 Words   |  7 PagesWomen and adolescent girls are exposed, daily, to the medias portrayal of perfect beauty. Being bombarded with images of beautiful women with perfect figures and porcelain skin has had an effect on the way women and young girls portray their own bodies. This, in return, causes a drive for thinness which, ultimately, can ignite feelings of dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders and poor health dec isions. This epidemic has captivated many women and adolescents as they go to tremendous lengthsRead MoreHas the Media’s Portrayal of Women Negatively Affected the Body Image of The Wykeham Collegiate Senior School Girls?3130 Words   |  13 PagesHas the Media’s Portrayal of Women Negatively Affected the Body Image of The Wykeham Collegiate Senior School Girls? Table of Contents Page Cover Page 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Review of Literature 4 Methodology and Presentation of Findings 8 Processing of Findings 12 Conclusion 14 Reference list 16 Appendix 17 Introduction It seems that the media’s portrayalRead More Enjoyment of Being a Girl: Overcoming Industry Standards Essay1489 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluencing our lives; from television to magazines to the Internet (Media’s Negative). As a woman grows older she often finds it difficult to be secure in her own body. America has a â€Å"desirable† standard that many women want and try to live up too (Media’s not). This is why the media has so many young women that are extremely underweight for their height and bone structure. Weight and shape concerns are influenced by the media (Media’s portrayal). This â€Å"desirable† standard has so many women feelingRead MoreMedia s Influence On Obesity2115 Words   |  9 Pagesavid Facebook users reported to have higher body mass indexes than those who were not frequent Facebook users. It is evident that widespread use of media has been a factor in aiding the obesity epidemic in the United States. The CDC states that obesity is prevalent in 35% of adult Americans. The impact of media, such as social media, television, and magazines, on obesity has largely contributed to this statistic because it can result in negative effects on one’s self-perception in terms of body imageRead MoreEssay about Media’s Impact on Beauty and Body Image of Young Girls1638 Words   |  7 PagesIt’s difficult to envision a world where idealized female imagery is not plastered everywhere, but our present circumstance is a relatively new occurrence. Before the mass media existed, our ideas of beauty were res tricted to our own communities. Until the introduction of photography in 1839, people were not exposed to real-life images of faces and bodies. Most people did not even own mirrors. Today, however, we are more obsessed with our appearance than ever before. But the concern about appearance