The world is filled with technology. There is instant access to internet, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and a plethora of other social media, as well as instant communication to almost anyone through texting, FaceTime, email, and more. Word and information travels fast. The media constantly surround society and it is often hard to escape it. As a result, the messages being sent out by the media are powerful. The mass media proves to be an influential stronghold over society; the impacts negatively influence body image and the way men, women, and children or teens view themselves. The effects of this negative media influence can cause many psychological and physical issues among the varying age and gender groups.
What is body image? Many …show more content…
However, as it is more and more readily available, children and adolescents also experience the effects of intense media targeting. As a result, from a young age, body image awareness is present. This awareness, and often scrutiny, is present among all different body sizes, types, and diverse races (Grabe et al 2008). These affects are present in both girls and boys. In girls, from as early as the age of eight, the demand and desire to be "skinny" can be understood (Coleman 2008). Although a differing message, boys too feel pressures from the media to change or be dissatisfied with their body. In young boys, our media influence tells them that they need to strive to be "bigger" or obtain a more muscular build (Ata et al 2007). The question is, how does the media instill these ideals into the young kids? It happens in many ways, often subtly and subconsciously. One way is the constant exposure to television. Watching television is the second most time consuming activity done by children; this is second to sleep (Lopez-Guimera et al 2010). Especially in girls, television provides harmful effects on the way they view their bodies. Studies show that watching television growing up causes girls to have a higher desire to be thin when they are older; as they mature and, more likely than not, do not have the bodies that the media portrays as desirable, they are more likely to develop eating disorders …show more content…
Like children and adolescents, celebrities offer a distinct picture on the way a woman's body should be. Women between the ages of 18-27 said they desired a body similar to one like their favorite celebrity in the media (Shorter et al 2008). This desire for bodies similar to celebrities is problematic. The issue lies in the sheer fact that the natural or average body for women today is far different from the extremely thin body that celebrities possess (Derenne & Beresin 2006). As a result, the media puts a major strain on women and tells them they need to be thinner; the media influences women to feel that it is possible to, and necessary to, have it all--be a mother, a wife, have a job, and be thin (Derenne & Beresin 2006). While it is possible to attain all of these things, it causes a great deal of pressure among women (Derenne & Beresin 2006). The media also encourages women to continue to strive to be even thinner than they already are (Yamamiya et al 2005). This influence tells women that they should never be satisfied and that they are never going to look good as they
What is body image? Many …show more content…
However, as it is more and more readily available, children and adolescents also experience the effects of intense media targeting. As a result, from a young age, body image awareness is present. This awareness, and often scrutiny, is present among all different body sizes, types, and diverse races (Grabe et al 2008). These affects are present in both girls and boys. In girls, from as early as the age of eight, the demand and desire to be "skinny" can be understood (Coleman 2008). Although a differing message, boys too feel pressures from the media to change or be dissatisfied with their body. In young boys, our media influence tells them that they need to strive to be "bigger" or obtain a more muscular build (Ata et al 2007). The question is, how does the media instill these ideals into the young kids? It happens in many ways, often subtly and subconsciously. One way is the constant exposure to television. Watching television is the second most time consuming activity done by children; this is second to sleep (Lopez-Guimera et al 2010). Especially in girls, television provides harmful effects on the way they view their bodies. Studies show that watching television growing up causes girls to have a higher desire to be thin when they are older; as they mature and, more likely than not, do not have the bodies that the media portrays as desirable, they are more likely to develop eating disorders …show more content…
Like children and adolescents, celebrities offer a distinct picture on the way a woman's body should be. Women between the ages of 18-27 said they desired a body similar to one like their favorite celebrity in the media (Shorter et al 2008). This desire for bodies similar to celebrities is problematic. The issue lies in the sheer fact that the natural or average body for women today is far different from the extremely thin body that celebrities possess (Derenne & Beresin 2006). As a result, the media puts a major strain on women and tells them they need to be thinner; the media influences women to feel that it is possible to, and necessary to, have it all--be a mother, a wife, have a job, and be thin (Derenne & Beresin 2006). While it is possible to attain all of these things, it causes a great deal of pressure among women (Derenne & Beresin 2006). The media also encourages women to continue to strive to be even thinner than they already are (Yamamiya et al 2005). This influence tells women that they should never be satisfied and that they are never going to look good as they