Does the world of high fashion modeling project the wrong message to young girls and adult women?

Question

SAO PAULO, Brazil (Nov. 16) -- A 21-year-old anorexic model who weighed only 88 pounds has died of generalized infection, a hospital said.
Ana Carolina Reston, who had worked in China, Turkey, Mexico and Japan for several modeling agencies, died Tuesday, according to Sao Paulo's Servidor Publico Hospital.

The model's cousin, Dani Grimaldi, told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper that Reston also battled bulimia; an eating disorder marked by binge eating that is followed by vomiting or the use of laxatives.

The world of high fashion and modeling has long been targeted by critics who say it encourages women and girls to emulate rail-thin models.

In September, a Spanish fashion show responded to such criticism by banning models with a body mass index of less than 18. Body mass index is a calculation doctors normally apply to study obesity, and anyone with an index below 18.5 is considered underweight.

Is there a clear and present danger emulating from the world of modeling?

Answer 1

Eh....the world of celebrities is such a fickle and fleeting thing with so little substance. One day, the ideal of beauty is one thing, and next year, it is something else. Thus I never follow the dictates of fashion or anyone else's' rules.

It is a shame to think that there are enough young girls around who'd sacrifice themselves on the "alter of ideal beauty" when it is so empty and superficial. If you must worship a worldly god, make sure he isn't so capricious and cruel, one who would abandon you at the turn of fortune.

Answer 2

While I do think the obsession with thin is ridiculous and out of hand, I think girls also need to be able to think for themselves and understand that what they see on tv/magazines/etc. is not a representation of reality.

It can be really, really difficult to be a young girl and not give in to the pressures of trying to achieve that 'ideal' look, but there needs to be an underlying common sense and thought process that allows girls to see those images and say, "That is not realistic. I don't need to look like that to be happy or have a successful life." This is the kind of thing society should be aiming for; to teach that bodies are merely a part of a person, not their entire self nor does their body type reflect success or failure.

The unfortunate thing is that many girls DON'T ever learn that what they see isn't reality or 'perfection'. They aren't ever taught that looks are merely a surface issue and not as important as health, education, personality, etc. Too many girls try to let their looks be a replacement for a self-identity, and basing your whole identity around your body is unhealthy.

I don't think the media can take all the blame, though. Yes, I do think there should be a wider variation of body types shown in the media in a positive way and I think the fashion world could use some variation as well, but I also think there needs to be less focus on bodies in general. If we keep the focus off bodies and focus more on individual talent and personality, there wouldn't be such a problem. When the spotlight is turned on to bodies and actresses are known for the clavicles instead of their movies, it just makes people more aware of their own flaws and creates a confusing mixed message. Bodies shouldn't even be an issue, acceptance should be society's goal... to reject ideas that being a certain size is more important than health and to encourage people to enjoy and appreciate other, more important things in life than what size jeans one wears. If the focus is taken off bodies, the focus will shift to the real issues.

Answer 3

I think celebrities are equally as responsible. The entertainment industry has a lot of explaining to do. But I have noticed that high fashion is a bit warped; those girl are too thin, I mean nasty looking thin. But that's what the designers want to represent them. So I guess designers need to rethink their clothing image. So I would agree the fashion as well as the entertainment industry needs accept some responsibility for the ever increasing eating disorders.

Answer 4

bulimia is a common eating disorder among young women world wide.You can't place all the blame on the fashion industry.I have known several women who are not models or celebrities that suffer from this disorder.Its not necessarily about eating..its more about being perfect and ones self esteem.Unfortunately some women think that by being rail thin they will be more accepted socially.Its more of a psychological disorder than an eating disorder.The emaciated body is the result of the disorder not the cause.This disorder is being seen in girls much younger these days.

Answer 5

this is why we would desire to continuously no longer permit youthful little ones watch them with no ascertain. It became wish's mistake to offload Liam. If she became allowed to describe what she observed then possibly issues would be diverse. Liam my no longer have proposed to Steffie. i'm ill of Steffie interfering while she does not admire some ones engagement or if she feels a "bond" with some guy this is linked to a pair one else. i think of wish would desire to pass after Liam if she needs to combat for her relationship. they might desire to placed a guy on that teach that Steffie can play with and characteristic all to her self. i does not call off an engagement over a kiss with yet another lady yet i'd prefer to talk to him and or scratch the different lady's eyes out. i does not have permit Liam pass that actual. wish did no longer refuse to have intercourse with Liam she theory that waiting to get married to have intercourse would be a stable theory on the time. If a guy rather loves a girl he would admire her needs.

Answer 6

I blew a cog one day reading an article about what eyebrow-plucking shape was 'in' that Fall.

I think there's a clear and present danger that women are being told they ought to give a rat's behind about things like that. Surely there are better things to care about.

Answer 7

yes it does now a days "they" want you to believe that to
be beautiful you have to be a "young white skinny woman "it encourages women of all colors and sizes to try to become what they think is beautiful at any cost LET BE HONEST HOW CAN A 21 YEAR OLD WOMAN WEIGH 88 POUNDS, AND STILL BE ABLE TO KEEP HER JOB !

Answer 8

Yes, some of those models are sickeningly skinny! It's not healthy or attractive when you can see every bone in a person's body sticking out.

Answer 9

Not if the message is THIS IS HOW TO DRESS IF YOU WANNA SCARE THE SH!TE OUTTA EVERYBODY.

Answer 10

Yes there is , it is always on Tv shows .