Sociocultural Standards of Feminine Beauty

Introduction

Mass media can be defined as the means of communication that reaches and influences a mass market in a short time (“thefreedictionary”). Some examples of media platforms used to deploy mass media messages are televisions, newspapers, the internet, social networking sites, magazines, and the radio. Mass media messages can come in the form of videos, audios, pictures and even words. Most people are an audience to mass media daily, and we take in all sorts of information, sometimes without even realising it.

Sociocultural standards of feminine beauty are presented in almost all forms of popular media, barraging women with images that portray what is considered to be the "ideal body” (Sedar). This has caused the perceptions of females around around the world to change, and many now see beauty and perfection in the meticulously photoshopped models on billboards, magazine covers, on televisions and in movies. Beauty standards have changed, and where there were once iconic women who flaunted their curvy size 12 physique, such as Marilyn Monroe, there now stands a different perception of what is considered “beautiful”. These days, the ideal, albeit unattainable physique is described by adolescent girls as 5 ft 7 in., 100 lb, size 5, with flowing long blond hair and sparkling blue eyes (Nichter & Nichter 1).

Body image is defined as a complex aspect of the self-concept that concerns an individual’s perceptions and feelings about their physical image and body. (Cash & Pruzinsky 3-11)

It is believed that mass media contribute to the negative perceptions of body image by females

It is suggested that media provide a social context for eating disorders (Spettigue et al.). Forms of media such as television shows and magazines ...

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...he individual is in (“Body Image”).

Conclusion

It is plain to see that mass media has an impact upon the body image of females today. We are living in a world where the mass media play a predominant role in our daily lives and regardless of what we do, we are subconsciously being influenced by what they show us. Through the mass media’s portrayal of unrealistic images of women in general, we as consumers absorb these distorted concepts of beauty, and mould ourselves with accordance to what they see on these media.

While it is noted that mass media does contribute to adverse opinions of the body image by females, and that it has been proven in certain studies that the amount of time spent using mass media is directly proportional to females’ perception of their body image, it has to be understood that their effects have a repercussion upon every female individual.