BOdy Image 101
Who we are is what we are, but that's not what we always see. Body image refers to how one views their attractiveness. The way we view our bodies and the way other's see our bodies are for some reason two very different things. Many studies conclude that this is because of media influences that have become a part of our society and culture.
Not so fun facts.
- The current media ideal of thinness is achieved by less than 5% of the female population.
- 80% of 10 year-old-girls have dieted. 90% of high school junior and senior women diet regularly. Young girls are more afraid of becoming fat than they are of nuclear war, cancer, or losing their parents.
- 8 out of 10 women are not happy with their reflection.
- Americans spend more than 40 billion dollars a year on diet and beauty products
Media's influence
Media is undoubtedly everywhere you go. In the car on the radio, or on bill boards, magazines in weighting rooms, television shows, online videos or blogs are all media. And Body Image seems to be a hot topic. With positive reinforcement from the same people who are showing us such unrealistic body image expectations we may stand a chance to love ourselves again.
Many celebrities are brought under ridicule for they're body shapes and sizes. One celebrity that is working on promoting positive body images in all people of all shapes and sizes is Tyra Banks. She constantly encourages young women to love themselves and who they are.
Dove has also launched a new promotion that shows real women with real bodies and showing the beauty of age, color, size, and all the things that make us both different and beautiful. These are some of my favorite ads.
Many celebrities are brought under ridicule for they're body shapes and sizes. One celebrity that is working on promoting positive body images in all people of all shapes and sizes is Tyra Banks. She constantly encourages young women to love themselves and who they are.
Dove has also launched a new promotion that shows real women with real bodies and showing the beauty of age, color, size, and all the things that make us both different and beautiful. These are some of my favorite ads.
Less drastic more tactic
Body image is not only what we think of ourselves on the inside but also what we portray to others on the outside, and women aren't the only ones worried about what others think. "Beauty Products" are an industry all of their own, and growing. Women worry about what to put on their face and skin to be "beautiful", and it turns out men are starting to do the same thing.
Beauty has become less about who you are and more about who you can be. Ways of changing yourself to fit what you think is beautiful instead of loving what you have to offer. And all the while industries who create this "beauty" are profiting from our insecurities.
In the words of Duck Dynasty "The more make up a woman wears the more she's tryin to hide. Make up can hide a lot of evil." - Phil
Beauty has become less about who you are and more about who you can be. Ways of changing yourself to fit what you think is beautiful instead of loving what you have to offer. And all the while industries who create this "beauty" are profiting from our insecurities.
In the words of Duck Dynasty "The more make up a woman wears the more she's tryin to hide. Make up can hide a lot of evil." - Phil
want to learn more?
Here are some documentaries about body image that might open up you mind just a wee bit more.