Images of perfect bodies are shown throughout the media. They are seen in the news, magazines, in movies, and television shows. The images are almost unavoidable in our society today and have negative effects on both women and men. Studies suggest that about half of teen girls are dieting, and elementary school students are already worrying about weight. The results lend new meaning to the term "trying to fit in” (Writer, 2008).
“Body image involves our perception, imagination, emotions, and physical sensations of and about our bodies . It s not static- but ever changing; sensitive to changes in mood, environment, and physical experience. It is not based on fact. It is psychological in nature, and much more influenced by self-esteem than by actual physical attractiveness as judged by others. It is not inborn, but learned. This learning occurs in the family and among peers, but these only reinforce what is learned and expected culturally” (Judy Levingstone, 1997).
“Body image involves our perception, imagination, emotions, and physical sensations of and about our bodies . It s not static- but ever changing; sensitive to changes in mood, environment, and physical experience. It is not based on fact. It is psychological in nature, and much more influenced by self-esteem than by actual physical attractiveness as judged by others. It is not inborn, but learned. This learning occurs in the family and among peers, but these only reinforce what is learned and expected culturally” (Judy Levingstone, 1997).
Through these images women are encouraged to remove or change what makes women female: our bodies, our curves, and our hourglass shapes. Men are encouraged to lose weight and gain muscle tone. In trying to accomplish these perfect images the media portrays people are doing more than just loosing weight or toning up. People are developing serious health and mental issues, which may go unrecognized while trying to achieve their perfect body.
Women are much more likely than men to be critical of their body image. Men tend to be pleased or indifferent with their image and are not overly concerned with changing it. Those men who do develop serious body image issues tend to go to extremes and have very negative problems that arise. Women, on the other hand, are more concerned with their image, but do not as consistently as men go to such extremes. Overall, women develop body images more often than men, but the percentage of men who do have body images problem go to extremes to change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta conducted a survey that found more than a third of girls considered themselves overweight, compared with fewer than 15 percent of the boys (Writer, 2008).
Women are much more likely than men to be critical of their body image. Men tend to be pleased or indifferent with their image and are not overly concerned with changing it. Those men who do develop serious body image issues tend to go to extremes and have very negative problems that arise. Women, on the other hand, are more concerned with their image, but do not as consistently as men go to such extremes. Overall, women develop body images more often than men, but the percentage of men who do have body images problem go to extremes to change. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta conducted a survey that found more than a third of girls considered themselves overweight, compared with fewer than 15 percent of the boys (Writer, 2008).
