Why We're Still Talking About Body ImageStruggling with body image has almost become a rite of passage for women in America. Rather than promoting the virtues of kindness, intelligence, and responsibility, society pushes us to have skinny arms, thigh gaps, and a rounder butt. Advertising campaigns spend millions to convince us that there is always something wrong with us, even when the doctor tells us that we are completely healthy.
One of my friends laments the hour it takes her to get ready in the morning, wishing she could just start her day without the hassle of straightening her hair and putting on makeup. She is hardly alone; the Renfrew Center Foundation, a nonprofit organization for the treatment of eating disorders, found that nearly half of American women have negative feelings about their appearance without makeup on.
Makeup can be a fun and artistic way to express oneself, but it is tragic when so many women are unable to leave the house barefaced because they feel that who they are naturally is not worthy enough to present to the world.
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
- 20% of teens are either "rarely" or "never" happy with their body image
- Over half of all teens (52%) feel that the media pressures them to change their body image
- 73% of teens feel their appearance affects their body image
- 65% of teens are afraid of gaining weight
- 44% of teens skip meals as a tactic to losing or controlling weight
- 31% of teens have been on a diet in the last six months
- 31% of teens have at least one body part on which they would like to get surgery
- 56% of teens feel that the media's advertisements are the main cause of low self-esteem
I'm not sure that it can be addressed. Advertisements and popular images are what young women pay attention to. We are competitive by nature, and whatever is pushed by media, and by peers, is what is going to be heeded by them.
I have always thought that the fashion industry must be run by homosexual men. *shrug* They continually try to make beautiful women look like boys. Taking away their curves? Of utmost importance.
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
I have always thought that the fashion industry must be run by homosexual men. *shrug* They continually try to make beautiful women look like boys. Taking away their curves? Of utmost importance.
What a despicably homophobic stereotype.
What a despicably homophobic stereotype.
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
This issue is just one more reason why parents and schools need to teach media literacy to children. Few parents are prepared to do it, so it is essential that it happens in school also. We need to teach kids how to tell when they are being manipulated, how to differentiate between good and bad information, and to not believe advertising and other propaganda.
I have always thought that the fashion industry must be run by homosexual men. *shrug* They continually try to make beautiful women look like boys. Taking away their curves? Of utmost importance.
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
It would certainly save a lot of money if we didn't use all that cosmetic stuff and fashion. I wonder, what we would buy instead.
But they want to keep up with the joneses.
I'm not sure that it can be addressed. Advertisements and popular images are what young women pay attention to. We are competitive by nature, and whatever is pushed by media, and by peers, is what is going to be heeded by them.
IMO, it starts with children.
Perhaps we should listen to teens and find a way to counter media perception.
Statistics on High School Students and Teens
So how can this false sense of security be addressed? Why We're Still Talking About Body Image
IMO, it starts with children.
Perhaps we should listen to teens and find a way to counter media perception.
Statistics on High School Students and Teens
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