Social Influences:
Our body image is formed as we receive and internalize messages about our bodies from those in our external world. It also involves the messages we receive about what is considered desirable or not acceptable about the body.
Where do we get these messages?
From our immediate surroundings - our family, our friends and from the larger society that we are part of.
Where do we get these messages?
From our immediate surroundings - our family, our friends and from the larger society that we are part of.
Family:
This would be the earliest influence. It is within the family that we gain our understanding of what it means to be a person in this world. It is here that our understanding of social expectation is also developed. That subjective picture of your body?...begins here to. What was beautiful in your family? What was acceptable? Within the family, one learns what is good about the self, and what is bad. Direct comments about one's weight, body and eating are potent sources of influence (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002).
Did someone make an off-hand remark that impacted how you see yourself? I have a brunette friend who overheard her older blonde sister being praised as the "pretty one". This off-hand remark made by a relative impacted her life enormously. She started to question her own looks and assumed that they did not measure up. She spent a good portion of her life believing that she was not pretty even though she was quite a beautiful woman. So we learn definitions. My friend learned that within her family, pretty meant blonde. She did not possess this characteristic, so she stood outside the definition of pretty.
Parents can pass down their own body distortions. Comments about one's weight or body can lead to negative feelings about one's body. According to Radar, an eating disorder treatment clinic, parents who display dissatisfaction about their own bodies were likely to have children with body image disturbances. Siblings play a huge role in teasing. In sibling rivalry, hurtful comments can stay for a lifetime
Did someone make an off-hand remark that impacted how you see yourself? I have a brunette friend who overheard her older blonde sister being praised as the "pretty one". This off-hand remark made by a relative impacted her life enormously. She started to question her own looks and assumed that they did not measure up. She spent a good portion of her life believing that she was not pretty even though she was quite a beautiful woman. So we learn definitions. My friend learned that within her family, pretty meant blonde. She did not possess this characteristic, so she stood outside the definition of pretty.
Parents can pass down their own body distortions. Comments about one's weight or body can lead to negative feelings about one's body. According to Radar, an eating disorder treatment clinic, parents who display dissatisfaction about their own bodies were likely to have children with body image disturbances. Siblings play a huge role in teasing. In sibling rivalry, hurtful comments can stay for a lifetime
Friends:
As children get older, the influence of family declines and the influence of friends increases. Appearance and attractiveness also becomes more important (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002). Friends can be a source of enormous pressure to conform to a standard. Cash and Pruzinsky (2002) examine the phenomenon of "fat talk" among adolescent girls - fat talk being a means that young girls express their anxieties over being preventing, or overcoming "fat". Exchanging information about how to manage and control weight is common. It is through this type of discussion that learning about and internalizing body image ideals occurs.
Adolescents at this time are especially vulnerable. It is at this stage that that our bodies develop and change, leading to increased self-consciousness about our bodies. And it is also at this time that youth, especially young women, receive clear messages from multiple sources that the body is supposed to look a certain way.
Other influences on a poor body image related to our family and friends, could include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, or abusive relationships. There could also be further reaching influences such as coaches or other authorities in the schools.
Social influence is multi-faceted. There are many sources of information that work together to form and shape what we think of as beautiful - what we think of as the ideal body and what we think of ourselves.
At the same time that we receive messages from family and friends, we are exposed to more subtle messages….
Adolescents at this time are especially vulnerable. It is at this stage that that our bodies develop and change, leading to increased self-consciousness about our bodies. And it is also at this time that youth, especially young women, receive clear messages from multiple sources that the body is supposed to look a certain way.
Other influences on a poor body image related to our family and friends, could include sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, or abusive relationships. There could also be further reaching influences such as coaches or other authorities in the schools.
Social influence is multi-faceted. There are many sources of information that work together to form and shape what we think of as beautiful - what we think of as the ideal body and what we think of ourselves.
At the same time that we receive messages from family and friends, we are exposed to more subtle messages….
Children and Mattel, and Disney and G.I. Joe and Barbie and The Littlest Mermaid and…..
Children can also be influenced by the toys that they play with, and the films that they watch. With this influence, it is the constant portrayal of ideal physical characteristics that impacts how we see our bodies. Barbie is one of the biggest selling toys in history. About 90% of girls between the ages of 3-11 own a Barbie doll (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002). While it may seem like a rather innocuous toy, since we gain ideas of what is right and good from the images outside of ourselves, Barbie portrays a form that is buxom, thin but curvy – and unattainable. Fewer than 1 in 100,000 women are likely to have proportions similar to Barbie (Cash& Pruzinsky, 2002). Boys also have their toys. The male figure is becoming increasingly muscular as depicted by action figures. These images may also be presenting boys with unattainable standards (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002).
Even Disney has had its influence by portraying all of its heroines as thin and attractive. Television has it influence as well - with children and adolescents watching television more than any other activity besides sleeping (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002).
Though these influences may be controversial, the depiction of an idealized body in children’s media may support the internalization of ideals from other sources. Toys, movies and images all contribute to teaching a child about what physical appearance should be.
So learning occurs from family and friends, and may also be learned from the toys and movies we watched as children, but it is also reinforced by what we learn from the larger society.
Even Disney has had its influence by portraying all of its heroines as thin and attractive. Television has it influence as well - with children and adolescents watching television more than any other activity besides sleeping (Cash & Pruzinsky, 2002).
Though these influences may be controversial, the depiction of an idealized body in children’s media may support the internalization of ideals from other sources. Toys, movies and images all contribute to teaching a child about what physical appearance should be.
So learning occurs from family and friends, and may also be learned from the toys and movies we watched as children, but it is also reinforced by what we learn from the larger society.
The Media:
The influences of the media on the construction of body image are plentiful but also controversial. We are, as a whole, bombarded with more media messages than ever before. We generally see fit, yet curvaceous women and fit men. The question is...do these images influence what we think of as good and desirable?
Yes they do. Repeated exposure to idealized types in the media leads to increased body dissatisfaction in both men and women (Grogan, 2008).
One of the criticisms of the media is that the media uses images of women that do not represent reality.
There is the issue that the average body seen in those media images represent a generally unattainable form of the human body. According to the Canadian Women's Health Network, the average model is taller and weighs 23%, almost an entire quarter, LESS than the average woman. It is unrealistic and harmful to present an ideal image that cannot be attained by the average human being.
Yes they do. Repeated exposure to idealized types in the media leads to increased body dissatisfaction in both men and women (Grogan, 2008).
One of the criticisms of the media is that the media uses images of women that do not represent reality.
There is the issue that the average body seen in those media images represent a generally unattainable form of the human body. According to the Canadian Women's Health Network, the average model is taller and weighs 23%, almost an entire quarter, LESS than the average woman. It is unrealistic and harmful to present an ideal image that cannot be attained by the average human being.
Images of models...
...are also manipulated. They are airbrushed to remove flaws. Hairstylists, make-up artists and good lighting as well as good photography ensure that there is a huge discrepancy between what is thought of as beautiful and what is actually attainable. If we are constantly exposed to images of men and women that are not real, but digitally constructed, then we are aspiring to an ideal that doesn't exist. I have an image of a mule chasing the proverbial carrot on a stick. Please check out the links section for a video that examines this very subject.
The images presented are also in conflict with what we are told is healthy. Models and actresses that are underweight should not be our role models. It is dangerous for our health. For those who diet, not because of clinical obesity but merely because they "feel fat", diets may present a health risk. Weight loss diets for these reasons may lead to a variety of problems, including hypertension and heart problems (Grogan, 2008). This is not including the dangerous health risks of extreme behaviour involved in disorders like anorexia or bulimia.
So there are pretty pictures and maybe lots of touch-ups. It isn't just the pictures themselves that impact how we see ourselves. It is the message that often accompanies them.
The images presented are also in conflict with what we are told is healthy. Models and actresses that are underweight should not be our role models. It is dangerous for our health. For those who diet, not because of clinical obesity but merely because they "feel fat", diets may present a health risk. Weight loss diets for these reasons may lead to a variety of problems, including hypertension and heart problems (Grogan, 2008). This is not including the dangerous health risks of extreme behaviour involved in disorders like anorexia or bulimia.
So there are pretty pictures and maybe lots of touch-ups. It isn't just the pictures themselves that impact how we see ourselves. It is the message that often accompanies them.
The goal of...
...advertising forms of media is to sell you something. This is often accomplished by trying to create a need within you that is currently not filled, but could be, by a consumable product. These needs can range from getting out dirt and grime needs to feeling good about myself needs or being attractive to the opposite sex needs. We are constantly told that products either can make us more powerful, intelligent, efficient, happy or attractive or they are linked with powerful, intelligent, efficient, happy or attractive people and we infer that it will make us that way to.
The media plays a role in developing the idea that happiness, fame, fortune and a good-looking partner could all be yours if you were a little more attractive. And you could be a little more attractive if you bought this perfume, this lipstick, this face cream, these clothes, this car etc., etc.
It is the pairing of the two separate ideas of perfect body with a better life. The truth is life can be at times hard and unpleasant...there is no alternative or escape from it...but because we are bombarded with the ideas of the perfect body achieving money, success, a wonderful relationship, satisfaction, attention...we want that to...of course we do. But generally we don’t have it - because it is a lie. Life does have those beautiful and wonderful moments but it also has some downright lousy ones. Life doesn't always have the parties and the nice clothes. In our society, the media reinforces the idea that thinness is associated with happiness and success for women. For men, being fit and muscular is associated with power and the attention of beautiful women. We can't escape the images. They are everywhere we look - on the television, in magazines, on billboards, and the internet. This leads to extreme dissatisfaction not only with our bodies but with our lives.
The media plays a role in developing the idea that happiness, fame, fortune and a good-looking partner could all be yours if you were a little more attractive. And you could be a little more attractive if you bought this perfume, this lipstick, this face cream, these clothes, this car etc., etc.
It is the pairing of the two separate ideas of perfect body with a better life. The truth is life can be at times hard and unpleasant...there is no alternative or escape from it...but because we are bombarded with the ideas of the perfect body achieving money, success, a wonderful relationship, satisfaction, attention...we want that to...of course we do. But generally we don’t have it - because it is a lie. Life does have those beautiful and wonderful moments but it also has some downright lousy ones. Life doesn't always have the parties and the nice clothes. In our society, the media reinforces the idea that thinness is associated with happiness and success for women. For men, being fit and muscular is associated with power and the attention of beautiful women. We can't escape the images. They are everywhere we look - on the television, in magazines, on billboards, and the internet. This leads to extreme dissatisfaction not only with our bodies but with our lives.
Some shocking facts and statistics from the Canadian Women's Health Network:
· In Canada today, almost 90% of women and girls are unhappy with the way they look. This is so shocking to me. 90%!
· Girls are starting to diet earlier than ever before. Some of these girls are starting at 5 and 6 years old.
· One out of ten girls and women develop disordered eating behaviours such as anorexia or bulimia - serious diseases that have long term health and life-threatening consequences.
So it is our judgements, our minds and thoughts and stories about our bodies that make up our own body image.
We carry with us then our histories, our pains and hurts, the compliments or off-hand remarks that have shaped how we see our physical shells. Beautiful, wonderful, ugly, fat or wrong….these are the messages that then shape what we think and how we feel about ourselves. We are influenced by those around us, by those closest and by those whose opinions we hold most dear. We are also moulded and shaped by a larger society. What is beautiful and what we are is an interaction between our own beliefs and those around us and then those imposed on us.
So how do we succumb to the idealized body? Read on….
· In Canada today, almost 90% of women and girls are unhappy with the way they look. This is so shocking to me. 90%!
· Girls are starting to diet earlier than ever before. Some of these girls are starting at 5 and 6 years old.
· One out of ten girls and women develop disordered eating behaviours such as anorexia or bulimia - serious diseases that have long term health and life-threatening consequences.
So it is our judgements, our minds and thoughts and stories about our bodies that make up our own body image.
We carry with us then our histories, our pains and hurts, the compliments or off-hand remarks that have shaped how we see our physical shells. Beautiful, wonderful, ugly, fat or wrong….these are the messages that then shape what we think and how we feel about ourselves. We are influenced by those around us, by those closest and by those whose opinions we hold most dear. We are also moulded and shaped by a larger society. What is beautiful and what we are is an interaction between our own beliefs and those around us and then those imposed on us.
So how do we succumb to the idealized body? Read on….