Body Image in the Media

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Jennifer a MComm 110 Dec. 9, 2011 Body Image in the Media Beauty and body image in the media concentrates on how thin women should be. Researchers suggests that media advertising negatively impacts women’s body image. Advertisements on young, beautiful, skinny people make the average person feel as if they can never add up to what they see. The average people are negatively affected by advertisements and constant exposure of thin models. From hairstyles to body shape to shoes on our feet, advertising tries to persuade us that to look our best, we must have the body that society now considers ideal. Society makes people believe that everyone needs to be thin, have nice hair, skin, and nails. The fashion industry, especially, puts a false image of what is perfect. The media manipulates people into thinking that “skinny” is what is acceptable in society. Too many put themselves down everyday about their weight and looks because the media puts such an emphasis on “so called perfection.” Media has a huge influence on society today, especially on teens. It is mental, physical, emotional, and perceptive. Everyone has seen or heard of some type of advertisement promoting some type of beauty product, jewelry, or a new brand of clothing. It is almost impossible to ignore it unless being cut off from the world, which is not realistic. The media influences men’s image issues as well. Pictures of tough, muscular, and athletic men are increasing. Even male action figures have become unrealistically muscular during the past 20 or so years and may be presenting boys with a dangerously unattainable body ideal (Thompson and Smolak, 52). Researchers suggests that thin is “still in” for advertising. Ultra-thin bodies make women like brands more but themselves less (Biagi, 289). Media messages may not directly cause eating disorders, but they help to create the

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