An issue that we are currently experiencing is juveniles and their body image. Stephanie Armstrong (2011) stated that about 90% of fifteen to seventeen year old girls wanted to change one or more features of their physical appearance. Armstrong also mentioned that weight was ranked as the highest feature adolescent girls wanted to be changed. When it came to adolescent boys, she commented on how up to twelve percent of teenage boys use unverified supplements, steroids, or both. According to the National Eating Disorder Association [NEDA] (n.d.), body images is how one views oneself physically. Body image includes how one feels about their body shape, height, and weight. Positive body image is when one feels satisfied about their body shape,
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Hargreaves and Tiggemann (2004) conducted a pre-and- post-test study to see if there was a difference between how the media impacts a boy’s body image and a girl’s body image. Their examination consisted of 310 girls and 285 boys between eight and twelve years old. The form of media that Hargreaves and Tiggemann used was television commercials. The study contained three different forms of television commercials. The first set had 153 of the female participants watching commercial videos that revolved around the thin-ideal people have for women. The second set had 146 of the male participants watching commercials about the muscular-ideal for men. The third, and final, set had 157 girls and 139 boys watch television commercials that had nothing to do with physical appearance, such as a commercial about cars. The results of the study had indicated that the control media has on body image is both stronger, and is seen as more normative, for girls. For instance, it was revealed that the first set of commercials led to increased body dissatisfaction for girls. However, the second set did not lead to increased body dissatisfaction for the boys. In addition, both sets led to increased negative mood and appearance comparison for both the boys and girls. On the other hand, the result was stronger for the girls. This does not mean that boys should be ignored …show more content…
Even though it is necessary to change the media, it is imperative that society changes the way they view, as well as talk, about media. Furthermore, we need to become more cautious and mindful when talking about an individual’s physical appearance and body. It is also recommended that individuals participate in helping to improve their body image. For example, when focusing on a part of their body they dislike, they can write a list of parts of their body they do like. With the individual, the media, and the individual’s family, friends, and peers working together, negative body image will be something we no longer have to struggle
Hargreaves and Tiggemann (2004) conducted a pre-and- post-test study to see if there was a difference between how the media impacts a boy’s body image and a girl’s body image. Their examination consisted of 310 girls and 285 boys between eight and twelve years old. The form of media that Hargreaves and Tiggemann used was television commercials. The study contained three different forms of television commercials. The first set had 153 of the female participants watching commercial videos that revolved around the thin-ideal people have for women. The second set had 146 of the male participants watching commercials about the muscular-ideal for men. The third, and final, set had 157 girls and 139 boys watch television commercials that had nothing to do with physical appearance, such as a commercial about cars. The results of the study had indicated that the control media has on body image is both stronger, and is seen as more normative, for girls. For instance, it was revealed that the first set of commercials led to increased body dissatisfaction for girls. However, the second set did not lead to increased body dissatisfaction for the boys. In addition, both sets led to increased negative mood and appearance comparison for both the boys and girls. On the other hand, the result was stronger for the girls. This does not mean that boys should be ignored …show more content…
Even though it is necessary to change the media, it is imperative that society changes the way they view, as well as talk, about media. Furthermore, we need to become more cautious and mindful when talking about an individual’s physical appearance and body. It is also recommended that individuals participate in helping to improve their body image. For example, when focusing on a part of their body they dislike, they can write a list of parts of their body they do like. With the individual, the media, and the individual’s family, friends, and peers working together, negative body image will be something we no longer have to struggle