Women are going to great lengths to try and be equal to what the media represents women to be. It has come to the point where the issue has surpassed simply body size, but gone on to facial characteristics as well. This has lead women to look into areas of change that involve, cosmetic surgery, liposuction, face-lifts, and miracle diets in an attempt to look their best and achieve perfection (Rodin 1992). However, the truth of the matter is, no person is flawless in the real world and the images that the media present have been airbrushed, enhanced, camouflaged, and have been closely examined to try and portray the women in a way that qualifies them as women of perfection, when they actually are not. Women need to be aware of this, and more than anything else, find happiness with who they are and what they have been endowed with. Rodin’s article (1992) accurately expresses what the media has done to many women, and even men are not wholly immune to this fanatical phase of thinness and perfection.
- Professional Quote
- Body preoccupation has become a societal
mania. We’ve become a nation of appearance junkies and fitness zealots,
pioneers driven to think, talk, strategize, and worry about our bodies with
the same fanatical devotion we applied to putting a man on the moon. Abroad,
we strive for global peace. At home, we have declared war on our bodies. (Rodin
1992).
- The majority of this madness has to do with what we perceive the media is trying to relay to us. By the media publicly portraying perfect women (and men as well), we think that we are inferior, and therefore we try and do everything possible to make ourselves better or equal to what we are seeing. This can be positive, as has been stated repeatedly. Positive for some, but not for everyone. Some people don’t have the ability to compete with those types of images. They might have disabilities that prevent them from engaging in cardiovascular exercise that would reduce their weight. They might not be flexible enough to get involved with yoga to help their posture or, improve upon their mental thinking. There are all types of stipulations that play a part in this as well, and for some this is a depressing situation. They want to change their bodies yet can’t so they become depressed, as well as feeling oppressed. Again, there are advantages and disadvantages. However, there can be some leeway found in between it all.
- The Truth to it All
- In conclusion, women don’t have to feel inferior
to what they see flashing across the television screen or pasted in an ad on a
magazine. They simply need to do things to feel more appropriate and content in
their own bodies. Women need to realize that we are all different, no woman is
exactly the same and even the ones that seem to be picture perfect have flaws
and pooches here and there. Perfection is just not feasible. So, by accepting
one’s self for who they are and where they are in life is what is going to
prevent the disorders from taking place and the self-esteem from lowering. Once
this is understood then the media won’t have such a long-lasting affect on
society at all.
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Works Cited:-
Fisher, Seymour. Development and Structure of the Body: Volume2 Lawrence,
Erlbaum & Associates (1986):1
Holmstrom, Amanda. “The Effects of the Media on Body Image: A Meta-Analysis” Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media Volume 48 (2004): 1.
Rodin, Judith. “Body Mania” Psychology Today. Volume25 (1992):1
Weiderman, Michael. “Women’s Body Image and Self Consciousness during Physical Intimacy with a Partner” The Journal of Sex Research Volume 37 (2000):1
Author: Misty Keith Site: writesight.
