Positive And Negative Ways Of Media Impact On Our Body Image

Though the media has many effects on society we should remember the importance of self confidence. Did you know the average size of the idealized women (as portrayed by models), has stabilized at 13-19% below healthy weight.

The more we look at perfect images of others and then look to find those same characteristics in ourselves and don’t find them, the worse we feel about ourselves. The purpose of my essay is to prove to you all about one of the many effects the media can have on society.

Not only have I had friends that have experienced depression due to media, but I have also gone through it myself. First, I will discuss the positive and negative ways of media and the impact it has made on our body image. Next, I will discuss what effects social media causes us to experience. Lastly I will discuss the importance of self confidence.

Body image we all have it. And there is a reason nobody likes to talk about it.

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The media as you know, is something everyone is aware of. It is everywhere you look: in magazines, newspapers, television, internet, billboard ads and much more. The media can influence people in a lot of positive ways. For example, a lot of the commercials and billboard ads are to help stop bullying. Others may be to help people who are homeless, have gone hungry, or live their life in poverty. They have encouraged us that if we try hard enough we can make a difference in the world! In February 2016, Project Heal launched the #WhatMakesMeBeautiful campaign to urge ladies to commend identity qualities, gifts, and different factor outside of appearance that make them beautiful.

Not all social media is able to boost help promote a better world instead it lowers self confidence. A lot of what they imply is negative. If the media would focus on “normal” or average-sized models and celebrities, maybe people wouldn’t go to such lengths. Studies have shown that just visiting these websites can lead to more negative self-image and increase the desire to be thinne. Advertisements constantly portray an ideal and beautiful body for women as one that is thin(extremely and/or unhealthy thin). When people see these images and then look at their own bodies, which are often times different from what is portrayed as ideal in the media, they begin to think that they aren't beautiful.

The impact media has made on body image. Teenagers appear to demonstrate what it is to be successful and popular. Their body weight, appearance and beauty are often associated with their popularity and wealth. Thin- ideal media highlights the idea that thinness is a good and desirable thing to be, even if it is to level that is potentially damaging to a person’s health. According to “Body Image of Women”, it states 80% of girls between the ages 15-18 say they have dieted in an attempt to lose weight. As well as boys grade levels 9-10 are being found to use anabolic steroids in an attempt to gain more muscle mass. Now that I have discussed the positive and negatives ways media has impacted body image. I will now discuss what effects social media causes us to experience.

The effects from media lead to serious issues from young teens to adults. No matter the age everyone experiences effects of social media. The media makes us feel bad about ourselves through ads telling us how imperfect we are because they do it for money. They know that, once we see their products which will “perfect our image” we are going to want to buy these products. If all these people watching their commercials buy their products, they will obviously make a lot of money. The effects of social media cause girls to experience the following. This message about “perfect” bodies is repeated so often, I think this is how a lot of girls nowadays develop eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia. Others use drugs, such as smoking or cocaine, to make themselves thinner. People start eating less, skipping meals, and exercising like crazy, just to look like all the super skinny models you see on TV and in magazines. Others start to put themselves on diets to lose all the weight they think they have.

The effects of social media boy’s experience. Even guys want to have that “perfect” look the media promotes us to have but it’s not only losing weight for them. They mostly want to be muscular. They believe that muscles will make them a man. They start working out like crazy just to have muscles. A lot of guys will do anything just to be muscular; even use steroids. Steroids may be a faster way to gain muscles, but it is also a faster way to have a heart attack. Effects are life-lasting especially when they have made an impact in you’re life. Girls start to be careless about their health just to reach that image of perfection models display. Which causes lack of hygiene, once they begin it’s like a routine. For someone genetically predisposed to an eating disorder dieting caused by a negative body image could trigger one. In addition to leading to the development of eating disorders, a poor body image can contribute to depression, anxiety, problems in relationships, the development of substance abuse problems, and consequently various health problems. Now that we have learned about the experiences media causes us to have I will discuss the importance of self-confidence.

Good self-esteem is important for everyone because it helps you keep a positive outlook on life and makes you feel proud of the person you are, both inside and out. Good self esteem gives you the courage to try new things, power to believe in yourself, and confidence to make healthy choices for your mind and body now and throughout your life. You should never give into their judgements about perfection. Reduce the amount of TV you watch to avoid seeing ads and you might not feel as bad about the way you look.

Don’t be afraid to be yourself, have confidence in everything you do. You can do many things to help improve your body image. One of the best ways to feel good about your body is to work on having a healthier one! Exercising and eating nutritious food are key to developing a strong and fit body, and a positive attitude towards yourself. A positive attitude can come by defining an identity for yourself that is not based on looks or negative things other people may say. Setting and reaching a new goals. Having something to look forward to can give you a sense of pride and help you work through different challenges throughout your life. Building good self-esteem can take a long time and is not always easy, but knowing that you can improve your self esteem is the first step. Building a healthy body image and positive self esteem can be hard work because it takes time to become confident. As you work to improve your body image, you will experience self acceptance and learn to recognize the qualities, skills, and talents that make you special.

Focus on your accomplishments and good qualities. The “Dove Self-Esteem Project” is to show women confidence is the real beauty. Today I first discussed the positive and negative ways media has impacted body image. Second, I discussed the effects media causes us to experience. Finally, I have discussed the importance of self confidence. Though the media has many effects on society we should remember the importance of self confidence.

In conclusion, remember your flaws don’t define you. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes so be proud of who you are and who you are yet to become.