Verified Document

Deception Of Beauty In The Mass Media Term Paper

Beauty Shaping up to Fit in"

This is a paper on the image of beauty produced by the mass media. 4 references are given.

In the 20th century the mass media has played a major role in advocating and propagating an ideology of female beauty. For the past few decades' fashion has passionately endorsed thinness to the point of emaciation to be the manifestation of true beauty and the mass media has been the tool used for disseminating this view. Dr. Allison Field, of Brigham and Women's Hospital is a strong advocate of the opinion that media influences are causing an increase in unhealthy practices including eating disorders amongst young women. One such example is that of Marne Greenberg, a victim of propaganda who fought with bulimia all through her teens. In her search for a new self-image Greenberg said, "It doesn't matter who you are, you always want to be that someone... The highest of expectations of someone you can't, or never will, be."[Salvatore, 1999].

Many sections of the media have now woken up to the detrimental effects of encouraging stereotypes through advertising products that link loss of weight to being sexy and sophisticated. As audience awareness and dissention grows many advertisers have found Bartos, author of "The Moving Target" to be correct in his assertion that they must, "understand that abolishing stereotypes really is an intelligent marketing decision." [Author not available, 2003(a)]

Thesis

When faced with the popularity of screen personas such as Helen Hunt, Calista Flockhart and, Kate Moss women inevitably associate success and emotional well being with a particular appearance- thin. Any variation of this ideal is condemned. Greenberg describes the peer pressure that can cause women to go to harmful lengths in their bid to conform. She describes how she became emaciated and was inflicted with gastric problems while "people who didn't know her thought she looked great."[Salvatore,...

Indirectly consumers are encouraged to buy diet coke, Skippy peanut butter, Slim fast products if they want to change their overweight negative self-image to a positive socially correct and personally rewarding thin one. [Author not available, 2003(a)] Impressionable adolescents and teens and even mature but ordinary women suppress their natural physique and aspire to the more socially acceptable 'thin waif' look. As Dr. Fields explains that it is important for the media to "refrain from using the severely underweight models who are unhealthy and unrealistic role models for these young girls to have."[Salvatore, 1999] "The average North American woman is 5-foot four and 143 pounds, "and in her quest to be 5-foot ten, and 107 pounds"[Salvatore, 1999] she can cause damage to her body and psyche.
Literature Review

"Body and Soul: The Self -Image of Girls" an article in the "The Chronicle of Higher Education" describes with facts how the self-image of women and girls is directly linked to their self-esteem.[Author not available, 2003(b)] Numerous statistics have shown the influence of the media in sending out negative messages. The solution the article gives is to raise the self-esteem of girls through education programs, making them aware of health issues, media tactics, and the marketing behind the glamour. This can be done by teachers, institutions and parents.[Author not available, 2003(b)]

The article uses polls and research studies to prove that the body image of girls is affected by external factors such as advertising and magazines. His examples are revealing and shocking. He quotes a study of 4,294 network television commercials which revealed that 1 out of every 3.8 commercials sent some sort of "attractiveness message" telling viewers what is…

Sources used in this document:
References:

1. Author not available, Friends, pop culture affect weight control among teen girls, Reuters Health, New York 1999.

2. Author not available, (a) Research Paper: The Ideology Bias in "Diet" Products [accessed on 7/3/2003] available at http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/student2/p03/com.html

3. Author not available, (b), Body and Soul: The Self -Image of Girls, The Chronicle of Higher Education [accessed on 7/3/03] at http://www.geocities.com/birdh0use/wominst/equity/bodyfeature.html

4. Salvatore, S, Media may feed weight problems of teen-aged girls, Cable News Network, 1999 [accessed on 7/3/03] available at http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9911/14/girls.weight
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Media Critical Analysis Hamlet Hamlet:
Words: 4649 Length: 11 Document Type: Term Paper

Yes, the Oedipus complex aspect of Shakespeare it gives us and which in turn invites us to think about the issue of subjectivity, the myth and its relation to psychoanalytic theory. (Selfe, 1999, p292-322) Hemlet and Postcolonial theory Postcolonial theory was born as a result of the publication of the famous work of Edward Said, Orientalism (1978). This theory claim that some authors (Paul Gilroy, Achille Mbembe, Francoise Verges, etc.) and

The Role Media Plays in Relation to Gender Stereotypes
Words: 4863 Length: 14 Document Type: Essay

Introduction By being born a man or a woman signals to bearing certain clear sexual characteristics. Socialization takes individuals through a path that inculcates certain norms and codes of conduct depending on whether one is born a male or a female. In other words, the rules that one adopts and follows are guided by whether they are biologically male or female. Therefore, one’s communication, expression and behavior is shaped by the

Cosmetic Advertising Regulations Explanatory Speech Outline
Words: 1192 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Explanatory Speech Outline: Cosmetic Advertising Regulations I. Introduction A. Attention Getter: Imagine buying a cosmetic product that promises to leave your skin smooth and supple in a matter of days, only to use the said product for 3 consecutive months with no noticeable change with regard to the texture of your skin. B. Background and Audience Relevance: In some countries, false representations in cosmetic product advertising are commonplace. In the U.S., significant gains

Released by the FBI and
Words: 17274 Length: 65 Document Type: Research Proposal

" Human development- behavioral shifts in human being that tae place during the course of an entire lifespan ("Human Behavior"). Risk Analysis- the activity of determining and analyzing the dangerous natural and human caused negative events. This analysis takes into consideration the risks these event pose to businesses individuals and governments. Within the domain of information technology risk analysis reports are utilized to tailor technology-related objectives with a an organization's business objectives.

Jesus' Teachings, Prayer, & Christian Life He
Words: 35411 Length: 109 Document Type: Dissertation

Jesus' Teachings, Prayer, & Christian Life "He (Jesus) Took the Bread. Giving Thanks Broke it. And gave it to his Disciples, saying, 'This is my Body, which is given to you.'" At Elevation time, during Catholic Mass, the priest establishes a mandate for Christian Living. Historically, at the Last Supper, Christ used bread and wine as a supreme metaphor for the rest of our lives. Jesus was in turmoil. He was

Paternal Abandonment and Female Adult
Words: 7963 Length: 29 Document Type: Term Paper

E. fat storage. These physiological concerns are significant in that programming that was designed to maintain a nurturing position for young children the physiological environment interprets crisis as anything that creates a stressful physical demeanor. The stress and psychology of abandonment is a constant, once the abandonment by the father has occurred. The body does not distinguish between a fasting period associated with unavailable food, or drought and psychological long-term

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now