thought

Body Image and the Media




The media has such an impact on body image and how people feel about themselves. Teenagers, especially, are affected by the popular culture and how they see the celebrities they admire and how they behave. Unfortunately, most teenagers develop an imperfect and flawed body image of themselves because of the emphasis placed on weight in today's media.Recently in the news, gossip followers have watched stars like Lindsay Lohan and Mary Kate Olsen struggle with their weight and the issues of anorexia and bullemia. With role models like these two impacting young girls today, I believe girls are developing a complex and a lack of self-esteem and confidance. Personally, I believe that all shapes and sizes should be represented on television and in the movies, where young girls gawk at their celebrity idols. Disney currently has a show called "That's so Raven," which depicts several shapes, sizes, and races - especially the lead character, Raven, who is a young black female with "curves" and a shape. With this representation of a young female, young viewers of the show are given the example of a woman with a shape (not stick thin) that is famous and beautiful. I believe that if stations implement more shows with this idea, girls with gain more of an understanding of a healthy body and physique.