For the majority of women, the fact of the matter is—and will always be—that it’s impossible to look like models or movie stars.
Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves that they spend most of their time doing things to alter or upkeep their bodies. Not to mention, the photos we see of them are almost always touched up on Photoshop—in real life, they look much less “perfect.”
In the last century, women have started becoming skinnier and skinnier. Before then, the ideal female body was plump and full, while many current models are teetering on dangerously thin. As a result, the ideal has changed—girls and women have gradually been taught that they should be unsatisfied with their bodies’ natural shapes; health or reality be damned.
The media’s influence
Several factors are at play for most women to determine how they feel about their bodies: peer pressure, family history, education, age, and the combination of ethnic, cultural and social status.
The most notorious culprit, however? The media.
These days, we live under a false pretense that thinness equals health, happiness and acceptance. The media plays a large role in creating this perception by associating elements of what one might consider “success” with, specifically, being thin and having white skin.
Studies have shown that constant exposure to images of “idealistic beauty” increases feelings of dissatisfaction, depression and anger; thus lowering self-esteem in both women and men.
Effects on our health
In Canada today, nearly 90% of girls and women don’t like their appearances. This combination of low self-esteem and negative self-image can lead to serious health risks, including:
- Dieting obsessions, which is also beginning to affect kids as young as five or six years old;
- Smoking - or taking diet pills or other types of appetite suppressant drugs - to lose weight;
- Depression and other psychological illnesses, such as agoraphobia (fear of leaving home), when they don’t match the images of beauty portrayed by the media;
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, which occur in 10% of females and, in some cases, can lead to death;
- Plastic surgery in perfectly healthy women to increase the size of their breasts, plump their lips or remove body fat.
What can I do to feel better about my body?
The key to appreciating your body the way it is, is to understand that images of women portrayed in the media don’t correspond to reality. This is the first step to helping you accept yourself as you are and feel better about your own body. Here's what else you can do:
- Be conscious of messages that falsely link physical appearance with health, happiness and acceptance, as well as strategies used by the media to communicate these messages;
- Join a support group for women who celebrate the diversity of natural feminine shapes and condemn dieting obsessions.
Many magazines are beginning to show “plus-size” women in their pages—but there’s still an extremely long way to go.
Aside from weight, race and physical ability also play into the “ideal woman” image created by the media. Very few non-white women or women with disabilities work as models, actresses, journalists or news anchors, comparatively speaking, and even fewer have important roles in mainstream media.
Shift your focus
Your body type is largely determined by genetics and lifestyle. Moreover, with age, it’s normal to gain weight and change shape. Some things just can’t be helped.
Here are some ways to divert your attention:
- Learn to see advertising for what it is: a sales pitch designed to make money;
- Find other ways to feel good about yourself beyond physical appearance through educational, spiritual and social activities;
- Focus on health rather than your appearance. Make sure to eat well, exercise and take time to relax;
- Think of yourself as a whole person rather than letting [insert perceived negative aspect here] define you;
- Admit that dieting won’t work the way you want it to;
- Learn more about anorexia nervosa, bulimia and obesity, and what you should do to avoid their serious health hazards.
Similarly, consult your doctor right away if you think you may already have an eating disorder. Your life depends on it.
