Argumentative Essay On Body Image

For decades, there have been magazines, television shows, movies and internet websites that have made its consumers believe they should look a certain way. Although it is good to wish to live a healthy life, the media has lead people to take unhealthy routes to become “thinner” and “better looking.” According to The Crimson White, “The average American woman is 5 feet 4 inches tall and 166 pounds, according to research that is used nationally by the University of Texas at Austin. In contrast, most female models are 5 feet 11 inches, and usually, wear a size double zero to zero at around 107 pounds ” (Crain). The issues surrounding body image is the media. The media depicts what “looks good” and then its viewers go out and do what they can

Girls around the ages of 11-15 begin to take interest in fashion magazines or celebrity figures they think are good looking. When asking a woman what they dislike about themselves, they will often list a body part(such as their legs, buttocks, stomach), while men will more than likely say something that isn’t physical. This is because women are more prone to focus on what they wish to look like and how they can look like that. Many do not realize that the advertisement of the model they are idolizing is highly retouched. Many models are retouched to cover up minor flaws that would actually make their viewers happier to see. A person is going to be much happier knowing that their favorite celebrity also has cellulite rather than believing everyone in the media is naturally airbrushed

Instead, Berninger says “Rather than demonizing the media, we can tell our girls… It’s people who run the media — not robots or aliens or some impenetrable force. And as a person, you can help change its messages about body image. Don’t let the media own real estate in your mind. Ultimately, you have the power to turn off the television, put down the magazine or stop shopping at that store. You may not be able to escape the media’s reach, but you don’t have to live by its rules. Only you choose what to believe about yourself”