2008 Woodie Awards
Maligned beauty of the media
Elizabeth A. Terry
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Life
"Drop 9 Pounds in a Week" seems to be blaring from the cover of every glossy magazine color in bright, bold colors. The Axe Effect commercials play during every commercial break, trying to sell a body wash through sex. In today's society, nearly everyone is conscious of body image, whether or not they are willing to admit it.
"Most definitely (the media plays a role in self image), the way that either sex should look like, although I do believe it is more prominent for females…" said Shabana Kumar, a nursing major. Kumar later said, "Propaganda, news, how they should act, how they should dress … it's assimilation."
The average woman's size is a 12, but the average mannequin's dress size is a six. Common statistics like this have a tendency of being overlooked when one has been indoctrinated by the media. It's unavoidable when media in various forms surrounds us, whether they are print or audio/visual. We're driven to feeling guilty and told to "slim down for swimsuit season" or resolve "to lose 10 pounds and then run a marathon" for the New Year.
In a Prevention/NBC Survey a few months ago, 60 percent of women admitted that they have dieted or are on a diet. When high fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women, it's not that difficult to see why one would feel they need to diet. This isn't restricted only to women, though. A growing proportion of males feel pressure about their bodies as well.
"I follow some of the trends, but not designer images or designer clothes," Karen Cates said, when asked about how media influences her body image. She also said that media shows people getting plastic surgery and trying to become like other people.
The messages are sent through modeling shows like "America's Next Top Model," where a plus size is a 10, and shows like "Extreme Makeover," in which the lucky makeover recipient nearly always undergoes plastic surgery and a rigorous workout routine. Virtually every billboard, magazine stand, and television program displays some impossibly thin model, a man with a six pack, or an advertisement for weight-loss aids. Whenever surveying the media, it is apparent that negative body image is usually on campaign.
"Most definitely (the media plays a role in self image), the way that either sex should look like, although I do believe it is more prominent for females…" said Shabana Kumar, a nursing major. Kumar later said, "Propaganda, news, how they should act, how they should dress … it's assimilation."
The average woman's size is a 12, but the average mannequin's dress size is a six. Common statistics like this have a tendency of being overlooked when one has been indoctrinated by the media. It's unavoidable when media in various forms surrounds us, whether they are print or audio/visual. We're driven to feeling guilty and told to "slim down for swimsuit season" or resolve "to lose 10 pounds and then run a marathon" for the New Year.
In a Prevention/NBC Survey a few months ago, 60 percent of women admitted that they have dieted or are on a diet. When high fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women, it's not that difficult to see why one would feel they need to diet. This isn't restricted only to women, though. A growing proportion of males feel pressure about their bodies as well.
"I follow some of the trends, but not designer images or designer clothes," Karen Cates said, when asked about how media influences her body image. She also said that media shows people getting plastic surgery and trying to become like other people.
The messages are sent through modeling shows like "America's Next Top Model," where a plus size is a 10, and shows like "Extreme Makeover," in which the lucky makeover recipient nearly always undergoes plastic surgery and a rigorous workout routine. Virtually every billboard, magazine stand, and television program displays some impossibly thin model, a man with a six pack, or an advertisement for weight-loss aids. Whenever surveying the media, it is apparent that negative body image is usually on campaign.
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