The present day media’s unrealistic view of body image influences teenagers in a negative way. Although the idea of the perfect female body has altered throughout the years depending on what the media defines as beautiful or sexy, today the media chooses to send out a message that being dangerously thin makes a woman attractive. This idea is displayed through models and celebrities whose emaciated frames appear on magazine covers and television screens throughout the world. This promotion of being extremely thin causes most teenagers to dislike their bodies, and as a esult, teenage girls try to emulate these gaunt women who are presented everyday through the media. In attempt to imitate thin models and celebrities, many teenagers develop eating disorders, hoping that one day they will be “sexy” like the women they hold in such high esteem. Nada Stotland, a psychiatry professor, says, “We know seeing super-thin models can play a role in causing anorexia. Because many models and actresses are so thin, it makes anorexics think their emaciated bodies are normal.” Girls, especially teenagers, are being told that beauty lies in being skinny. For example, Kelly Cutrone, owner of a fashion show company, says, “Clothes look better on thin people.” With messages like this being spread through main media outlets, there is no need to wonder why teenagers wish to become as thin as possible. The media presents celebrities such as Kate Bosworth and Nicole Richie as beautiful and sexy; however, these women are becoming so thin that it is surprising their “beauty” can be seen as they seem to disappear if viewed from the side. Being bombarded with the idea that thinness equals perfection is a problem that girls are exposed to due to the media’s warped view of what is ideal.
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I totally agree that the media has way too much control over people's body image. I do have to say though, that a lot of times, what we have is not necessarily what we want. I'm naturally thin and have done some modeling, but I wish and wish and wish that I were curvier all the time!!!
Yeah the media has some blame, but on the other hand...where the hell are their parents or family to instill that self esteem that could help them through it? Everyone needs to take a good look at themselves before automatically playing victim
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/npsm18