Per The Oxford Dictionary, a generation is “A group of people of similar age involved in a particular activity”. In 20th century America, it became popular practice to classify generations by certain credentials whether they be economic, political, or social in nature. Most generations receive their title from an event or actions that distinguish them from any previous groups. For example, the generation who were coming of age after World War I became known as The Lost Generation due to the enormous casualties of young men and the destruction of traditional values due to the ravages of a worldwide war. Another example would be The Baby Boomer generation from the 1950s, who received their title for being born in a time of peace and prosperity
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During the Body Beautiful’s early childhood in the late 1990s and early 2000s many factors influenced the idea that one must maintain a certain body type to be deemed attractive. One of the leading contributors to this ideal is the world’s leading lingerie producer, Victoria’s Secret. The company began its illustrious fashion show in 1995 and consequently established a long-standing set of body standards that drastically effects a woman’s view of her body. (HarpersBazaar.com) From the show’s highly publicized beginning, it has glorified the rare body type of the super model, tall, thin, and toned. The media became obsessed with emphasizing that true beauty came only in this form, and therefore lead women on an endless journey to achieve impossible standards. Even the highest paid super models in the world, such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks could not escape the harsh criticism that accompanied their weight. During an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, when asked if she had a life motto, Kate Moss responded, ““Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”.” Kate’s answer further emphasizes the fact that even those who seemed to perfectly define conventional beauty standards were striving to be thinner and change their outward physicality. No matter who someone was they could not escape the constant presence of body image within their lives. Stores, newspapers, and even toys worked to take advantage of this obsession with desiring to alter outward appearances. For example, in a Washington Post advertisement from November 14, 1998 promoted “getting style tips from our fashion consultants.” Women were constantly being persuaded that their own looks and styles would not suffice unless they were similar to the looks of the rail thin models strutting down prominent
During the Body Beautiful’s early childhood in the late 1990s and early 2000s many factors influenced the idea that one must maintain a certain body type to be deemed attractive. One of the leading contributors to this ideal is the world’s leading lingerie producer, Victoria’s Secret. The company began its illustrious fashion show in 1995 and consequently established a long-standing set of body standards that drastically effects a woman’s view of her body. (HarpersBazaar.com) From the show’s highly publicized beginning, it has glorified the rare body type of the super model, tall, thin, and toned. The media became obsessed with emphasizing that true beauty came only in this form, and therefore lead women on an endless journey to achieve impossible standards. Even the highest paid super models in the world, such as Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks could not escape the harsh criticism that accompanied their weight. During an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, when asked if she had a life motto, Kate Moss responded, ““Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”.” Kate’s answer further emphasizes the fact that even those who seemed to perfectly define conventional beauty standards were striving to be thinner and change their outward physicality. No matter who someone was they could not escape the constant presence of body image within their lives. Stores, newspapers, and even toys worked to take advantage of this obsession with desiring to alter outward appearances. For example, in a Washington Post advertisement from November 14, 1998 promoted “getting style tips from our fashion consultants.” Women were constantly being persuaded that their own looks and styles would not suffice unless they were similar to the looks of the rail thin models strutting down prominent