It’s human nature to compare. People have always compared the way they look to friends, to what they see in magazines, and what we see on TV. However, with the increasing use of technology and how widespread the media is, body image tends to be misrepresented and many people have an 'ideal' body they aspire to achieve. While there is nothing wrong with trying to become healthier, the constant reinforcement of needing to become thinner and fitter shown in the media poses as a threat to peoples well-being. There is no let-up and as a result, we become trapped in a constant cycle of worrying we don’t look as good as the people we see online.
The portrayal in the media of female body image has been a point of discussion for some time but research suggests that young men and boys are just as affected by the media and advertising images.
The media tends to present an unrealistic picture of body image with incredibly thin women and muscle-bound men gaining the most attention. Whilst most people understand that image manipulation is possible, the extent to which this is used by the media to lighten/darken skin tone and alter body shape is not always understood.
While it can be said that the media have become slightly better in terms of their representation, certain media types such as magazines are still very much guilty of this representation regardless of how damaging it can be to people, particularly teenagers.
Studies found that 41% of boys feel that the portrayal of men in media images is unrealistic. However, this doesn’t mean that young men and women are not falling prey to media image stereotypes. Adults, as well as young people are finding themselves with issues surrounding body image. There is an intense pressure to achieve the impossible, i.e. to fit in with stereotypical images that are often not real in the first place. Evidence shows that body dysmorphia (the dissatisfaction with body appearance), is on the rise in adults and young people alike.
Adding to this, the negative representation doesn't just come from magazines, with celebrities on social media playing a big part in this. This means that the people we are encouraged to admire and aspire to be are those with unrealistically ‘ideal’ bodies. Celebrity culture relies
to a great extent on body image.
TV shows play a big factor in this damaging stereotype, especially shows for a younger audience. Disney movies are a prime example for this, as all the famed Disney princesses have extremely thin bodies. There was even the controversy surrounding Lily James' portrayal of Cinderella in the live action remake, as people pondered whether Disney digitally altered the actress' waist to make it appear it smaller.
While it can be said that the media has become more progressive with their representation of body image, it can be argued that the damage has already been done and this stereotype may never be broken because of how severe its representation has been and still continues to be.
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