Essay on Downfall of Female Body Image Media’s Influence

Throughout the years, the connotative definition of beauty has gone through constant change. In today’s world, young women are constantly under the impression that they have to fit the current definition in order to fit in with society and be recognized by men. Many girls feel they need to fit the mold instead of being their true unique selves. Every single individual is different in their own way, however the media has drilled it into every young girl’s mind, that they have just like a Barbie doll in order to be happy. Furthermore, these same girls are resorting to extreme methods in order to feel like they fit in such as taking unhealthy weight loss pills and developing eating disorders. Advertising has caused more harm than good in†¦show more content†¦The mass media establishes ideological standards that if achieved will equate with happiness and acceptance† (19). However, most girls are never able to meet up to those standards for numerous reaso ns, which cause a great deal of unhappiness and distress. The media has given young women an overall negative mindset toward their body proven by women’s attempt to get the perfect Barbie image, sometimes resulting in unhealthy methods such as eating disorders and the loss of women’s individualism. When the original Barbie doll came out in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s it was meant as a child’s toy. It sparked a revolution however in women everywhere who wanted to look just like the doll with the â€Å"womanly† figure. Weissman explains how the Barbie doll became a wide spread phenomenon is the late 50’s. The doll inspired the interest of many young girls because she was an adult doll instead of the typical baby doll. Barbie also gave young girls an idol, considering the doll radiated independence and popularity (57). As Barbie’s popularity spread, it seemed like a good thing at first, since women now had the mindset th at they could do anything. However her reputation quickly became something that was not necessarily a good thing for the body image of young girls. Barbie became a pop culture icon and has been for over 40 years but she has been studied as â€Å"a damaging symbol to young females† (49). Yet, women would go to extreme lengths to look like her. This need toShow MoreRelatedBeauty and the Beast...of Media1237 Words   |  5 Pagesdisplayed on billboards, commercials, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. It influences people to purchase certain things or even vote for a certain presidential candidate. Media tells us who we are and who we should be. Although media has its positive effects, like spreading the latest news quickly, it also has many downfalls for teenagers, specifically teenage girls, who are hounded with a stream of media related to body image. Today most women always feel the need to look in a mirror whenever theyRead MoreThe Manufacture of the Perfect Woman2445 Words   |  10 Pagescommunicating important intelligence. However, it also acts as a means of entertainment. Because of its ever-present existence, this aspect of modern culture tends to influence and impact those who interact with it regularly. Although often a beneficial source of communication, media can have a negative impact on those that consume it, especially female viewers. Fictional media, more specifically, impacts an involved woman from a young age up until adulthood. Mainstream media shapes the typical females outlookRead MoreEssay about Media ´s Influence on Beauty2526 Words   |  11 Pagesthemselves. Even fashion trends have added to this downfall of women’s individualism. Teenage girls feel the need to match the current fashion trend, no matter how expensive, just so they can feel the same as everybody else. As Andrew Delbanco explains in his work, The Real American Dream, consumer culture has the power to â€Å"evacuate the self† (105). This is exactly what is happening in today’s world due to media influence. Young women are idolizing media images and trying to imitate them. This in turn isRead MoreAnalysis of Eating Disorders Essay2697 Words   |  11 PagesInfluencing Body Image in Teens and Young Adults†, published October 2008 in Self Help Magazine, argues Facebook has become the l eading social network for teens and young adults aging 17 to 25 years of age, and is also the age range that has significant increases in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa in women. Foster accomplishes her purpose, which is to draw the parents of teen’s attention to the loosely regulated advertisements on Facebook and Facebook’s reluctance to ban negative body image ads. FosterRead MoreAesthetic Plastic Surgery: The Medicalization of Appearance2440 Words   |  10 Pagesadvance in medicine’s control over the human body† (Ferrante Ch. 6). This may not seem like a serious problem, but as medicalization increases so does the chances of danger towards people’s lives. If reports stated in Neto and Caponi’s article claim data â€Å"can’t be found in medical literature describing the anatomic details that make the body parts beautiful† Neto and Caponi 5), then why is society make it seem like there are strict standards for body type? â€Å"Beauty is the combination of qualities