The Influence Of Media On Self Esteem

Media has idealized an unrealistic beauty nearly impossible for anybody to have. The iconic super model image has evolved into a look that makes normal looking people self-conscious of their looks, body, and eating habits. This super model look needs to be replaced with a more realistic appearance. The model industry imposes an unrealistic body image on society. For example, model Cindy Jackson was inspired to become a human Barbie, “I looked at a Barbie when I was 6 and said, 'This is what I want to look like ' “(cite). There are many situations where the "Perfect" super model look has made young girls feel as if that is the only way they should look. Cindy Jackson was inspired to chase the Barbie look at the age of 6. Media has made it very easy for young children and adults to think there’s only one kind of beauty. This image sets a mentality that makes many want to …show more content…
The thin beauty of the iconic model may manipulate one’s self esteem. When the realization of not being able to fit into a certain beauty standard hits problems may arise regarding a person’s self-esteem, “essentially unattainable ideal of beauty can lead to body dissatisfaction, negative affect, low self-esteem, or even eating disorders” (cite). Comparing a perfectly imperfect supermodel body image can cause a person’s self-perception to negatively decline. The wanting to become the “perfect body image” can cause drastic measures to take place. Mass media encourages such changes to one’s body image by promoting underweight images, “visual media… sells products such as diets, cosmetics, and exercise gear, the media construct a dream world of hopes and high standards that incorporates the glorification of slenderness and weight loss” (cite). Media creates a world that is completely unrealistic raising high expectations for many thus it encourages youths and adults to begin feeling self-conscious about their