It's the age-old question, does media imitate life or does life imitate the media? With commercials containing waif-like underwear models and television programs equating thinness with success and happiness, the media's negative emphasis on body image has become almost unavoidable. It's hard to watch, listen to or read any form of commercial media these days without hearing a weight loss advertisement boasting that shedding the pounds will increase relationships and overall quality of life. Instilling the fear of being unloved and unhappy in women nationwide is the clever ploy that helps these companies to sell an unattainable goal.
The media provides role models that are degradingly submissive to women, which teach us to value beauty and slimness over strength and character. While the role models for men influence them to succeed academically and excel in all areas, women are expected to maintain the appearance of a sexy body. The women portrayed have essentially lost their personalities and become objects and images for the pleasure of others.
From a very early age, the visual media affects us all. According to Smith College's health center, 90 percent of American girls ages three to 11 own Barbie dolls, thus living in a world with fairy tale princesses as role models. Though the children may not be aware of the messages they are subconsciously subjecting themselves to, the dolls perpetuate the image of perfection as a tiny waistline, large breasts and long skinny legs. Furthermore, the fairy tale Disney movies that kids grow up with show women relying on their looks to attract a mate because they believe they need a man to take care of them.
Even if we are lucky enough to not be effected by the Barbie and fairy tale images during childhood, it becomes almost impossible to avoid the television and movie real-life Barbie dolls and waif-like models which are viewed as the ideals. When puberty occurs, most women then become scared of gaining weight and developing a more mature body type, because they won't look the same as the sexy yet innocent media icons.
Because women are trying to look more like these thin skeletons equated with beauty, hours and dollars are spent on dieting or even dangerous cosmetic surgeries. Unfortunately, these changes have very few long-term effects except on the bank accounts of the companies producing these appearance-improving items.
Dieting is known to be the most popular way to alter body image. Thousands of people diet, and some can't control the obsession from escalating into an eating disorder. More often than not, dieting leads to poor nutrition and eventually most people end up gaining the weight back. The key is trying to change eating habits to be more healthy, not to deny ourselves important nutrients for the instant gratification of losing a few pounds.
In other cultures, where thinness is not revered and worshiped, dieting is not considered necessary. Unfortunately, in America, these unrealistic body standards are ingrained in our culture by the media. But resisting this fixation is crucial to being content. Thinness doesn't equal happiness, and looks are truly fleeting. The important thing is to realize the media is trying to manipulate you. Fight back by not giving in.
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