Media is damaging to adolescent females' body images and self-esteem. All sources of media include some form of target on appearance. Young women experience unhappiness with their bodies, negative behaviors towards their health, and an increased focus on appearance in advertisements compared to males.
The media's focus on adolescent girls has drastically lowered body satisfaction. Advertisements have created what is know as "the new normal" by hiring models with unreal body types and using the infamous program, photoshop. "Adolescent Health" stated, "Fashion models weigh 23 percent less than the average female, although these representations are perceived to be normal," ("Adolescent Health"). In addition, it's alarming to know how many …show more content…
It is fairly safe to assume at least part of this problem is linked with the concept of media's unreal "normal". This idea was also explained by "Body Image & Nutrition," "Social influences, however, which include the media and popular/mainstream culture, may promote specific images and standards of beauty and attractiveness that contradict good health practices and one's ability to achieve a specific body type or image." Bad health habits formed include an alarming number of eating disorders. Eating disorders are a reoccurring problem especially noticed in females ages twelve to twenty five. It is not a coincidence that this age group is constantly targeted by the media. "Body Image & Nutrition" explains, "8,000,000 or more people in the United States have an eating disorder. 90% are women," ("Body Image & Nutrition"). Low self-esteem also contributes to bad health and unhealthy habits. "Adolescent Health" agrees, "These negative feelings may [be]... associated with poor eating habits, dieting, depression and anxiety, and eating disorders." Young girls look towards the media to get most of their information regarding health. Unfortunately, media also contributes to unsatisfactory feelings towards one's personal body image ("Adolescent Health"). The media is not forcefully trying to fix any of these issues. Instead, the media is purposely seeking female
The media's focus on adolescent girls has drastically lowered body satisfaction. Advertisements have created what is know as "the new normal" by hiring models with unreal body types and using the infamous program, photoshop. "Adolescent Health" stated, "Fashion models weigh 23 percent less than the average female, although these representations are perceived to be normal," ("Adolescent Health"). In addition, it's alarming to know how many …show more content…
It is fairly safe to assume at least part of this problem is linked with the concept of media's unreal "normal". This idea was also explained by "Body Image & Nutrition," "Social influences, however, which include the media and popular/mainstream culture, may promote specific images and standards of beauty and attractiveness that contradict good health practices and one's ability to achieve a specific body type or image." Bad health habits formed include an alarming number of eating disorders. Eating disorders are a reoccurring problem especially noticed in females ages twelve to twenty five. It is not a coincidence that this age group is constantly targeted by the media. "Body Image & Nutrition" explains, "8,000,000 or more people in the United States have an eating disorder. 90% are women," ("Body Image & Nutrition"). Low self-esteem also contributes to bad health and unhealthy habits. "Adolescent Health" agrees, "These negative feelings may [be]... associated with poor eating habits, dieting, depression and anxiety, and eating disorders." Young girls look towards the media to get most of their information regarding health. Unfortunately, media also contributes to unsatisfactory feelings towards one's personal body image ("Adolescent Health"). The media is not forcefully trying to fix any of these issues. Instead, the media is purposely seeking female