The Relationship Between Mass Media, .
Why is it that so many women feel bad about the way they look? Why do most American females, regardless of their age, think they are too fat? My paper presents how mass media and culture contribute to body image dissatisfaction, the drive for thinness, and the development of eating disorders.
We are constantly presented with images of perfect faces and bodies. As a result of this barrage of images, some people feel that they must change to fit these ideals. The need to please others can negatively affect how an individual sees themselves. For some people, the ability to conform to society's expectations may become their only measure of self-esteem. One study found that people who were shown slides of thin models had lower self-evaluations than people who had seen average and oversized models, and girls reported in a Body Image Survey that "very thin" models made them feel insecure about themselves. (Mediascope Press 2000).
Body image pressures can develop at an early age. By age 9, many young girls are starting to show preoccupation with shape and weight. As a parent, and potentially a child's most significant role model and influence in creating and developing a healthy body image, it is very important to be aware of your own eating patterns and responses, and attitudes towards weight and size. (Hittner 1997) It is also important for children, at an early age, to develop sources of self-esteem that are based on qualities other than physical appearance and for parents and teachers to promote acceptance of the natural diversity of body types.
Parents can inadvertently contribute to their child's body image issues. Parents that are critical towards their child's appearance can create or reinforce concerns with body image and promote low self-esteem. The vulnerable child is quick to take in and personalize comments, such as a father commenting on how fat someone is on television.
