By Corrine
Body image is a mental picture of how people feel and see themselves as human beings. Over the years, society has become increasingly focused on body image and there is more emphasis and value relating to a persons appearance.
What is not focused on however, is the pain and suffering of feeling that you don’t live up to people’s expectations, you can’t fit in because of your looks, or because you wish you could look differently. A staggering 67% of young women are unhappy about how they look and feel and are ashamed of themselves when they see images of models in magazines.
Teen years are the hardest years even without the pressure of looking good.
But statistics and studies done by various Universities and Health Organisations over the years show that on average almost 50% of nine year olds are dieting and that 80% of ten year olds have already tried dieting – and that’s just in the pre-teens!
Because of the high importance of looks, many women are turning to the most harmful and excruciating methods in order to lose weight or enhance their appearances such as: taking laxatives, vomiting, skin bleaching, cosmetic surgery, fasting, tanning and many more disorders concerning these issues.
So why have looks and appearances become so important? Well, the media plays a huge part in manipulating our senses in telling us that image is everything. We are constantly bombarded with reminders that we don’t look like the latest model on the cover of some glamorous magazine – but who actually does? This is the digital age; and what many people fail to realise is that most of the photos have been enhanced and airbrushed to make the picture look more appealing.
Let's face it. The models may be thin, but are they actually fit and healthy?
The media uses these visual aspects in order to sell their products, and they can be very persuasive. But it’s us who are falling into the trap by believing that everyone should change in order to fit into the idealistic concept of perfection. By creating these visions in the media and in our own minds, we begin to slowly take away everything that makes us human, and more significantly, women.
Sometimes we think that guys can’t relate to issues that are so commonly related to women. But in terms of body image, they are in the same situation.
The perception of men is that they should be masculine and have certain features and characteristics in their physique. Some men will go to extreme lengths to fit in with this ideal, not knowing the consequences of what exactly they are putting their bodies through. Just like women!
However, looking good is not a crime, and of course each one of us is beautiful in our own special and unique way. But body image is not a fact or definition and it is not found in the media. Body image is constantly changing and is more influenced by your self-esteem than anything else. It is only a perception and it is YOUR perception. Self-acceptance is extremely important as it shows you have courage and confidence about yourself, and an awareness of the different kinds of beauty in the world.
Living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a much better option than suffering for your looks. Remember that body image is how YOU feel and how YOU see yourself – not what the media or anyone else says otherwise. And if you ever need help or support at any time with issues concerning your well being, family and friends, people you trust, and organisations like the YWCA are always there for you.
"To lose confidence in one's body is to lose confidence in one's self" -Simone de Beauvoir
"She wins who calls herself beautiful and challenges the world to change to truly see her."
-Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth
Info from:
http://www.randiwortman.com/stats.html
http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~food-lab/resources/lectures/body_image/sld007.htm