To what extent is the media responsible for promoting poor self image in girls?

Question

What do you think about this? I think the media has far more to answer for than any other group when it comes to this issue.

Have a look at ''women's" magazines like Bleat (sorry, I mean Heat). On one page, they'll be whining about how skinny Vic Beckham is and how she's endangering herself.

Nine pages later, they're lauding her as a fashion icon and telling you how to ''get her look'', ie that of a stick insect, recommendiong clothes designed for women who have starved themselves to a size 0, and telling us how Posh is a fashion icon to be emulated.

Same with Keira Knightly, Paris Hilton, Geri Halliwell in the past, Nicole Bi.tchie, Lindsay Lohan, the Olson twins, and everybody else on the planet except Johnny Vegas.

What say you?

pee_pea: Very simple answer to your question: I don't.

Answer 1

I think it has quite a lot to do with it.

1 - Weight / size, thought unrealistic images.

2 - "The dumb Blonde" stereotype & praising lack of Knowledge - Jade Goody seems a lovely person, but one of the reason that she gets so much attention is people love her gaffs & lack of general knowledge

3 - WAGS - reduce women to style & shopping machines

4 - Pornography - Okay a strange comment from a bloke (who is totally straight by the way)BUT - It does reduce women to 'visual meat' there for men. I know some women will say "Yes but WE have the power - The men are looking at us and we get money from it " - WRONG - its the men who produce the stuff & hold the copyright for the pics.

5 - Pressure on girls to look / act certain way rather than allowing them to choose what they want

6 - Lack of STRONG role models to follow. We are awaiting the birth of our 1st baby (a girl) and I was looking round at the type of role models she could have from current women celbs - there were about 3 !!!!

Answer 2

It's easy to blame the media. First it's pretty common human behavior to pass the blame to anyone else. Secondly there's a lot of very high standards and stereotypes in most media. If you watch almost any show, the main characters are always in really good shape, even if it's unrealistic for that person's real life equivalent. The secondary characters, the comic relief, or the unpopular loser is almost always played someone that is less attractive and often on the chunky side. So, you take a person that doesn't feel particularly great about themselves already, and plop their couch potato butt in front of the TV and they get told over and over again that people like themselves are just not as good as others. I myself am a larger person (ie. FAT) and I've experienced this sensation myself. I've watched shows and noticed that the only obese people in the show are the ones you're not supposed to like, or the ones you're supposed to feel sorry for. I'm aware enough of my own life to realize that I'm fat because of my own choices. But not everyone is willing to accept responsibility for being how they are, so they blame the faceless media.

Answer 3

I am a male, long time advertising veteran (on the creative side) and I absolutely refuse to work on any women's fashion or cosmetic accounts for the very reasons you state.

It is absolutely sickening the portrayals of supposedly "attractive" women seen all over every type of media, whether it's print, TV, Ads, or the movies.

The weird thing is I don't know any men that want their wives or girlfriends to look like these "icons." Sure we don't want to be with elephants, but I don't know any guy that doesn't want curves. When I touch a woman I want to feel flesh, not bone.

It may all be pointless anyway. Every guy has his unique interest in what they find attractive. I judge by the face, particularly complexion and teeth. After that, any reasonable figure is OK.

I hope women will ignore the media portrayal, and think of those women as freaks. They're not what you want to look like.

PS - This is not a slur, but I believe the main reason for the media's emphasis on scrawny women is the influence of gay men in the media and fashion industries. They want women to look like boys. I'm completely serious.

Answer 4

Of course the media promotes poor self-image. I can't understand why these anoerexic chics get so much play. I don't think guys really like to bang a board, or cuddle with a stick. I think this fascination with skinniness is slowly going away. By 2010, thick will be the thing gracing all the mags. Not fat, but solid. Ya feel me!

Answer 5

Do you mean grown women or smaller girls or teenagers? I think in smaller girls/teenagers it is caused by two things-the media and peers. A lot of times you see weight loss comercials saying that if you're overweight you should do somehting about it, which is true, but not with that pill. Those comercials get girls second-guessing about their weight and make them more self-conscience about it. Also, you never see someone that wears over a size 4 on tv. There is also a lot of peer presure put on girls that are not skinny. For example, getting dressed in the locker rooms or getting dressed after a sleepover can be very embarrising for some girls because of their weight. I think it is caused by a lot of things.

Answer 6

I entirely agree. These magazines fill most of their pages with criticism of women's bodies. They are either complaing about how skinny a celebrity is and then on the next page have circles of shame around the merest hint of cellulite on an otherwise skinny celebrity, or are saying any woman who hasn't got a stomach like a washboard is pregnant. They make aging something to be ashamed of, as if it is a personal choice to have crows feet or a turkey neck. Thankfully i have too much sense to be brainwashed by this negative attitude to womens appearance, I just worry about how it effects young teenagers who want to conform.

Answer 7

I defiantly believe you have a point, magazines are so double-sided when it comes to 'famous' people's weights. One week they will say that Posh is too skinny, the following week she's have put on a pound and suddenly be 'letting herself go'.
So yeah in answer to your question - I think people who already have issues are just being encouraged to be more weight obsessed. Hopefully most people can see how pathetic and dangerous these mags are and steer clear!

Answer 8

The media has most to do with this problem!
The media sells what the public wants because they want money.It is their "GOD".
We as a people should stop listening to them & start setting a moral standard for our children again!
I was stunned at the way Barak Obama was followed on his vacation & filmed in his swim trunks ,playing with his little girl in the surf.All the reporter went on about was how he was "BUFF"& how good a physique he had!
This is what we are being fed on now.EVERYTHING is about sex now,or body image.This married man could not even go on vacation with his family without someone trying to get in his pants!THE MEDIA!

Answer 9

I think the media is about 70% responsible, parents: 25%, and 5% other factors like friends. While I'm putting down an answer, as a dude, I think it's safe to say that most other guys DON'T find ribcages sexy at all....

Answer 10

Of course media is part of the story, parents that buy magazines too, etc... But if we demand different news we WILL receive it. Media responds to what people like to read or see, so efforts like www.justclap.com or hugg.com are specially important. You can get involved, promote stories you think should get much more media's attention!!