Negative Effects Of Media On Self Image

782 Words2 Pages

Michele Tian
Mrs. Yasurek
Language Arts Block1
14 May 2014
Negative Effects of Media on Self Image
“Perfection is the disease of a nation” (“Beyonce- Pretty Hurts”). Self image is the idea someone has of themselves of their appearance and personality. Media has influenced societies to think differently and judge others by their looks. It has made young people believe that they are overweight (when they are not), ugly (when they are beautiful), and imperfect (whereas nobody is perfect). “Almost about seven out of ten women felt angrier and more depressed following the viewing of fashion model images” (“Media Influence”). It has portrayed an illusion of the unachieveable to men and women, causes atrocious effects, and has compelled millions of young girls, women, men, and celebrities feel the need to change. Media has negatively influenced the way people think of their self image.
People presume that in order to be accepted into society, they must resemble the looks of models, actors, and actresses in television shows and magazines and this makes the average people insecure of their looks. Media makes minors believe that in order to fit into society, they must become "thinner" or "prettier". Magazines, articles, and television all coercion teens to be concerned about their body image, but it is not even real. The actors and actresses are photoshopped and modified into an image that is impossible to become. Also, almost 80% of women say that they feel insecure with their own self image due to the images of celebrities and models on television (“Media Influence”). Media has not only had its effect on women, but on men as well. While women are struggling to overcome their insecurities with their self image, the opposite gender a...

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...arted gaining weight and became low self-esteemed. Celeste read magazines that told her how she should look and what the "perfect body shape" is. She continuously lost weight because she believed that she had to.This is the influence media has on girls today. (Conway “Chapter 3: the impossible goal”) Media’s impact on our society today has become an overwhelming issue to people and has caused many negative consequences.
Men, women, and teens all feel the need to fit into society everyday. However, society is always controlled by the media forcing people to judge others by their looks. Media has portrayed the impossible look for people to achieve, caused people to develop disorders such as anorexia for the insecure ones, and has made millions of people dislike their self image. The media does not display the perfect image, so why should people change for the worse?

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