By Elizabeth O'Hara
Every day, we are bombarded by hundreds of media images that seek to define the standard of beauty and in turn, affect the way we see ourselves.
Every day, we are bombarded by hundreds of media images that seek to define the standard of beauty and in turn, affect the way we see ourselves.
Many say that it is these airbrushed images of “beauty” that give them a negative self image.
“You automatically think that if you don’t look like the models or people on television that there is something wrong with you,” said Jessica Brown, the Health and Wellness Educator at Stonehill College.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the average woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds and the average model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds.
Although this image is virtually unattainable, many say that it makes them feel so uncomfortable in their own body, that they still try and sculpt themselves to fit such an image.
“The idea of what a female should look like has gone from curvacious to really thin. Growing up, it’s easier to fit in if you fit that image,” said Lindsay Sullivan, 19, of Rockland.
Recently, there has also been a new wave of men who are affected by images of tall, dark, and handsome images in the media.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the average woman is 5’4” and weighs 140 pounds and the average model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds.
Although this image is virtually unattainable, many say that it makes them feel so uncomfortable in their own body, that they still try and sculpt themselves to fit such an image.
“The idea of what a female should look like has gone from curvacious to really thin. Growing up, it’s easier to fit in if you fit that image,” said Lindsay Sullivan, 19, of Rockland.
Recently, there has also been a new wave of men who are affected by images of tall, dark, and handsome images in the media.
“It’s more women than men, but guys on TV all look like Abercrombie models. It’s kind of sad,” said Jonathan Scibila, 21, of Whitman.
It is a result of this fictitious body image that the diet and diet related industry is a 50 billion dollar a year enterprise, according the the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness.
Even more shocking is the age at which children are becoming concerned about their weight.
Time Magazine reported that 80 percent of all children have been on a diet by the time that they have reached the fourth grade.
“The number one thing is being comfortable in your own skin and what’s sad is that girls as young as ten want to be thinner and are going on diets,” said Brown.
With these images of “beauty” plastered nearly everywhere, it is difficult to escape a negative self image.
So, in response to this growing epidemic, many television icons, like Tyra Banks along with several different agencies have become advocates for a healthy and more positive body image.
One of these agencies is Dove. They have created the Campaign for Real Beauty that serves to turn the tide of these beauty pressures and encourage young girls and women everywhere to embrace their body.
According to an internal study done by Dove in 2002, over 50 percent of women say that their body disgusts them.
The Campaign for Real Beauty has set out to redefine the stereotypes of beauty and to inspire more women to feel good about themselves.
“We can definitely change this. Things like plus size models and the Dove campaign saying that ‘No, this is not OK’ makes a huge impact,” said Brown.
In addition to the Campaign, Dove has also created the Dove Self-Esteem Fund that is aimed at liberating the next generation from these negative self images.
Any purchase of Dove products becomes a contribution to the Fund.
“The youth really are maturing faster and there has become a bigger need for self expression rather than fitting in. It’s definitely changing for the better,” said Sullivan.
Only two percent of women around the world would describe themselves as “beautiful”, according to a study commissioned by Dove in 2004.
With more people vocalizing the opinions and feelings about becing comfortable in your own skin, the possibility of the other 98 percent of women thinking that they are beautiful will become greater.
“The bottom line is to be true to yourself. You can always work on your self image and your self esteem. You only have one body, so embrace it,” said Brown.
It is a result of this fictitious body image that the diet and diet related industry is a 50 billion dollar a year enterprise, according the the Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness.
Even more shocking is the age at which children are becoming concerned about their weight.
Time Magazine reported that 80 percent of all children have been on a diet by the time that they have reached the fourth grade.
“The number one thing is being comfortable in your own skin and what’s sad is that girls as young as ten want to be thinner and are going on diets,” said Brown.
With these images of “beauty” plastered nearly everywhere, it is difficult to escape a negative self image.
So, in response to this growing epidemic, many television icons, like Tyra Banks along with several different agencies have become advocates for a healthy and more positive body image.
One of these agencies is Dove. They have created the Campaign for Real Beauty that serves to turn the tide of these beauty pressures and encourage young girls and women everywhere to embrace their body.
According to an internal study done by Dove in 2002, over 50 percent of women say that their body disgusts them.
The Campaign for Real Beauty has set out to redefine the stereotypes of beauty and to inspire more women to feel good about themselves.
“We can definitely change this. Things like plus size models and the Dove campaign saying that ‘No, this is not OK’ makes a huge impact,” said Brown.
In addition to the Campaign, Dove has also created the Dove Self-Esteem Fund that is aimed at liberating the next generation from these negative self images.
Any purchase of Dove products becomes a contribution to the Fund.
“The youth really are maturing faster and there has become a bigger need for self expression rather than fitting in. It’s definitely changing for the better,” said Sullivan.
Only two percent of women around the world would describe themselves as “beautiful”, according to a study commissioned by Dove in 2004.
With more people vocalizing the opinions and feelings about becing comfortable in your own skin, the possibility of the other 98 percent of women thinking that they are beautiful will become greater.
“The bottom line is to be true to yourself. You can always work on your self image and your self esteem. You only have one body, so embrace it,” said Brown.
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