Women are
often bombarded by fictitious media images about their lives and bodies, and
find themselves subscribing to a lifestyle which only relates to a small
minority. Most women are aware of these impossibilities yet they feel the
pressure to continue to strive for the image of the “top model” and oh…… a size
4’.
Society shapes our body image. In some societies, a robust woman is viewed
as being fertile and therefore admired. In the North American culture, however
there exists an obsession to be thin and fit. Thinness is associated with high
social class, with success, and with the ability to attract a man. The standard
of white female beauty has become more narrowly defined and restrictive, making
it nearly impossible to be thin enough, fit enough, or young enough. Society
sets such high and unrealistic standards that no one can really fit the mould of
the ideal beauty.
The ironic reality to our society is that the majority of women on the
covers of high fashion magazines are white, but still the average white North
American woman yet alone women of other American cultures, can never truly
attain this “ideal” image of beauty without anguish, frustration, and/or
disappointment. These “media standards of beauty” are rarely obtained and should
continue to receive criticism of how they are manipulating body image for many
women who probably are experiencing transitions and changes to their lifestyles
for various reasons.
Numerous research studies on body image have shown that girls that are from
ethnic backgrounds such as Afro-American and Chinese-Americans, for example
showed to have a higher self-esteem relating to their body image compared to
those of young white American girls in the same age group. The reason was that
few of the girls from these ethnic backgrounds rarely compared themselves to the
images displayed in the magazines or television; they did not view these figures
as realistic role models. The media is doing great damage to the way that our
young girls view beauty as well as themselves, but this image could be reversed
by positive affirmations by older women who inspire their young lives. Positive
affirmation should be given to young girls in regards to their body image when
ever possible.
Studies conducted by the Melpomene Institute for Women’s Health have also
shown that women who were 50 years and older also felt underrepresented in the
media. In a study a few years ago by the institute, it was found that the
suggested weight for a woman 5’4” in height and under 19 years was 113 lbs and
120-122 lbs. for women 19 and older. This is hardly realistic and healthy for
older women. The problem for mature women is the lack of positive representation
for their age group. Another study by the Melpomene Institute conducted in 1985
found the following: 39% of women aged 20-29 believed they looked better than
most women compared to 87% of women over the age of 50 choosing the same
response. The results of these studies are quite amazing; they suggest that
satisfaction with body image increases with age.
Curious to see how accurate these results were, I decided to conduct a
simple survey of my senior women’s fitness class to see how they would fair in
regards to age and body image, this questionnaire was created for women of 50
years and older.
The following are a few random replies from the survey:
One participant said how she felt unsatisfied because she was underdeveloped
compared to other women her age when she was in her 20s-30s. She also said that
what had the greatest effect on her body image were other women, she constantly
compared herself to others. Satisfied was the way she described her body
perception today; “I am happy that I have my health and excellent use of both my
arms and legs, this is what is most important to me now”.
Another female participant stated that she always felt good about her body
in her 20s and 30s; she was always secure and confident in herself and
abilities. She also said that she never had negative feelings; she always knew
what she liked and never changed anything about her appearance. In regards to
exercise, she says that she never did it regularly, but she always liked to walk
and run wherever she was going, if it was not too far. She shared how she would
walk three miles to school each day, and three miles home after school, this was
her exercise. About the media, she felt that the media was changing its concept
of what is beautiful in America. Finally when asked about her perception of her
body image now, she responds that, “Yes, I am guilty of eating too much and
gaining more weight than I should have. My skin is still very good, beauty comes
from the inside not just the physical appearance”.
In short, the various research studies have shown that in general a woman’s
perception about her body image and value increases with age. The results of my
short survey were no exception; all women stated that they felt more confident
about their bodies as they matured. Beauty is not just on the outside.
Women come in various shapes and sizes; this should be celebrated. By
maintaining a healthy lifestyle with fitness, exercise and a good diet, you not
only help protect yourself against diseases and increase your quality of life
but it will also make you feel good about yourself.
- Author: Author: Deja-Fit Site: Lifestyle Fitness Coaching Blog for Women
