Gabriela Nicotra (FGCU Intro to Soci.): Body Image in the Media:

Gabriela Nicotra (FGCU Intro to Soci.): Body Image in the Media: 

These days, the media is doing a lot more than just broadcasting the news. It is contributing to people thinking twice about the way they eat, breathe, and live, including the way they look at their self body image. Some believe that when you look good, you feel good, and in this case you will reflect what you’re feeling on the outside towards others. Others disagree and argue that the media has put a negative influence on girls today by pressuring them into believing that you need to look good to “fit in” or be someone. Either way, this debate is bound to go on with each side having a strong opinion about their views.

       The media is believed to be a threat to our society and the way we look at our body image. Some believe that the media, celebrities, etc., should be held responsible for the way our young kids today look at their self images, and for the self-esteem they carry. Studies investigating the media’s impact on body image find that comparing oneself to thin models in the media results in body image disturbance (Bergstrom 264). “Body image may be one of the western world’s ugliest exports (McClelland 41). Thanks to television, magazines, movies and the Internet, rail-thin girls and steroid-built beef-boys are being shoved in the faces of people all over the world” (41).  

     “Experts say that cultures that used to regard bulk as a sign of wealth and success are now succumbing to a narrow western standard of beauty. There are incidences of eating disorders in regions where anorexia and bulimia had never been seen before” (41).

Women who rely on what the media tells them, have a greater chance of comparing their body shape and size with other women, and may feel worse about their weight and body as a result. The media can have a strong affect on the views of most women, especially those who believe you need a great body image to live a happy life.

      This being said, the media can generate an impact on the way our society lives today as well. The way we look in the mirror now, has a whole new different meaning of the term “reflection”, whether it is positive or not. Several studies have concluded that the relationship between viewing thin media images and body image caused a disturbance among female college students. “In these studies, it was proposed that women engage in upward social comparisons with self-evaluative motives, and when they find that they do not “measure up” to the thin models depicted in the media, they feel more negatively about their own weight and body” (Bergstrom 265). The media is believed to create images in our head about what the ideal person should look like. People are influenced by what they see and hear, whether they realize it is negative or not.

       On the other hand, others disagree. The common views of those who believe that when you dress good, or have a good outside appearance, also deem that you will reflect and produce that same feeling on the inside as well. Self-esteem is all about how much people value themselves, the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel. Having a good self-esteem can be important because feeling good about yourself can affect actions. “A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more” (Lyness). Having a good self esteem makes those feel better about not only themselves, but their surroundings as well, and can influence how they act on a daily basis.

      According to health and fitness expert and former Olympic pen athlete Van Kiekebelt, there are factors that can help us develop a healthy body image, but that is all up to us (Van Kiekebelt 41). It is okay to confidently accept our bodies and ourselves. If you like what you see and have a positive outlook, you will feel great about yourself and it will show. In addition, talk show host Tyra Banks has given many powerful speeches targeting those who say hurtful things about women’s bodies. Over the years she has fought that you do not need to be skinny as a stick to be beautiful, or to feel good about yourself. “You don’t have to be thin to be a knockout, but women have been led to think they will be happy if they are skinny” (Magee). Some view being healthy and having a great body image different then as others may sight it.

      Some may believe that having a good body image and looking great will make you feel great. It will make you a better person all together. Having a positive feeling about your outward appearance will reflect your inward appearance as well, and how you treat/act towards others. As a member of someone from society, it is apparent that the media influences body image. Without looking good, you are a no body, and non-existent. Instead of this debate becoming restless and going nowhere, there should be a different approach, where a combination of the two can lead to a healthy lifestyle, or make that person became a healthier individual. In this case, beauty really does lie in the eye of the beholder.  

Bergstrom, R., C. Neighbors, and J. Malheim. ”MEDIA COMPARISONS ANDTHREATS TO BODY IMAGE: SEEKING EVIDENCE OF SELF-AFFIRMATION. ” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology  28.2 (2009): 264-280. Research Library, ProQuest. Web.  1 Nov. 2009.D’Arcy Lyness, PhD, . “Body Image and Self-Esteem.” Kids Health. May 2009. The Nemours Foundation, Web. 1 Nov 2009. <http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/body_image.html#>.

This entry was posted on 21. February 2010 at 22:55 and is filed under Mr. Andoscia, Introduction to Sociology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.