At best, such figures may be natural for only a small percentage of the population. Ironically, a majority of media photos that portray individuals with perfect bodies (who may actually be seriously underweight) are enhanced by modern technology to achieve the effect. These messages define body shape and size as targets for regulation and control. Society’s messages about body image are generally shaped by the media, the beauty industry and outdated notions of health and fitness. For instance, these messages tell women to be thin, curvaceous, muscular and delicate-all at once! But did you ever stop and think about who sets these unquestioned standards? Society’s Messages about Body Image We are presented with many contradictory messages about what our bodies are supposed to look like. Not surprisingly, women far outnumber men in terms of preoccupation with body shape, size, and weight.
Research suggests that images of women are much more confining than what is allowed for men. Additionally, individuals whose gender identities do not fall into traditional definitions may feel pressure to conform to these standards. If you are like most people, you have been criticized by others-or you may have criticized yourself-for being too fat or too thin or for simply not fitting the standard. You may be nodding your head at this point because you are aware of these ideals. Men, on the other hand, may have to contend with ideals that demand muscularity or extreme thinness or both. In short, we receive messages that the perfect body is your passport to a good life.īut what does this perfect body look like? For women, this ideal is a very thin supermodel look, an athletic build, or an impossibly voluptuous figure. Society portrays this perfect body as the key–the secret to attracting a romantic partner, to landing a dream job, to having good health, popularity, success, and self-confidence.
Many elements of society promote the idea that having a ‘perfect body’ is a guaranteed way to command others’ admiration and approval.
0 kommentar(er)
