Media Impact: the way we view our bodies

The media causes all types of different problems for people. One of the most widespread issues is body image. Many researchers and regular people agree that the media portrays an unrealistic beauty standard, especially for women. Look at the cover of any modern fashion magazine, you will see a thin woman bearing flawless skin and a beautifully proportionate face with gorgeous healthy (usually blonde) hair perfectly arranged in this season's latest style. If you actually take the time to go through these mags, you'll notice that over half the booklet is made up of advertisements selling beauty products that will supposedly make us better. This "perfect girl" is depicted in those magazine ads, on billboards, in movies and TV, almost anywhere in media. Although the media's portrayal of ideal beauty through ridiculously skinny and perfect models is merely a marketing strategy for the products they're selling, it's still causing many women to feel insecure by placing a strong emphasis on the value of physical perfection. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, 47% of girls from 5th - 12th grade wanted to lose weight because of magazine pictures, ad 69% reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of the "perfect" body shape. 

You can view more statistics and information here: ANAD: Eating Disorder Statistics


Here are some photos from media that have been photoshopped to meet the beauty standard:

This is supposed to be a Plus Size model! What plus size chick sees herself as the 2nd woman?

Rachel McAdam's super cute laugh lines, edited out of existence :(

Madonna, photoshopped to look extremely younger than she obviously is, the delicate wrinkles on her beautiful aged skin never to be published for the public eye to see. We've seen Madonna as a young woman throughout her entire career, I think it's time to stop being ashamed and embrace the inner cougar.

Gwen Stefani is in her mid 40s! She's not perfect, but I think they just should have just got rid of the zit and left her aged skin alone. Contrary to popular opinion, I  like the aged skin look, it's very attractive in a new way. No, her skin is not new, but the wrinkles are... it's like a new beginning.

Tom Ford explains this phenomena perfectly in an excerpt called "Forever Love"

“I am tired of the cult of youth. The cultural rejection of old age, the stigmatization of wrinkles, grey hair, of bodies furrowed by the years. I am fascinated by Diana Vreeland, Georgia O’Keeffe and Louise Bourgeois, women who have let time embrace them without ever cheating. Society today condemns this, me, I celebrate it..” 

Unfortunately, Tom and I are of the few people who feel this way. Because of the media's strong influence on most people, beauty standards will always be unrealistic. Girls will continue to viciously hate themselves and buy the products, and as time goes by the standard becomes more and more difficult to achieve (as it has).