Media Influence On Beauty And Body Image Summary

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Media can be seen as a channel of communication in whereupon millions of people frequently use in their daily lives. So, with all of this technology around, how is the media portrayal of beauty affecting women? According to Cheryl J. Haas, Laura A. Pawlow. Jon Pettibone, and Dan J. Segrist, “Research has shown media exposure to unattainable physical perfection is detrimental to people, especially women and that inimical effects are currently more the rule than the exception” (1). When a person feels as if they do not compeer with the standard of beauty media has set, that individual develops negative emotions towards themselves which can lead to ailing eating habits including binge-eating, purging, or starving. Several studies further reveal …show more content…

In AOnody’s “Media’s Influence on Beauty and Body Image,” AOnody states body dysmorphic disorder may be contributed due to image and beauty related social pressures. He goes on to say in his article that those exposed to the media in a negative way are at risk of anguishing from “obsessions about their appearance” and the feel of “need” to alter it. AOnody’s article further exposes the media portrayal of beauty as a source of unhealthy disorders. It is wonderful that media is advertising more healthy lifestyles by displaying famous women talking about it’s significance, though the way beauty is being portrayed is almost unacceptable since it feeds audiences unrealistic images and is giving essentially no light more average or plus size women with not so perfect skin.The media strips the confidence of woman by placing bogus icons repeatedly throughout media. This is a controversial issue since it leads to woman feeling incredibly adverse towards their bodies and only focus on their so-called …show more content…

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how one feels, the way a person thinks, and how one acts (American Psychiatric Association). This depressive disorder causes feelings of sadness or a loss of interests in activities one use to enjoy. For example, a person may have overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness as a result of feeling that they cannot reach a certain body frame. That person may then begin to socialize less and attend less events since they are emotionally drained. So how can the media portrayal of beauty lead to such a dismal disorder?According to AOnody, women who view other women pictured in magazines show increased levels of depression, stress, guilt, shame, and insecurity. Media portrayal of beauty displays the ideal woman as thin with usually long hair, and seemingly flawless smooth skin.When individuals compare themselves to these images, they often find a huge difference in the two and often begin to develop strong negative emotions towards their own bodies. This dissatisfaction with one’s body image can lead to low self-esteem, and even depression (Vargas).The way mass media represents beauty leads to females comparing themselves with immensely thinly forged models displayed on television or magazines; it causes unhealthy psychological distress in where females at times go into depression because

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