The Modern Body Image Expectations

By Lauren Scott, reporter
March 15, 2016

How do you see yourself when you look in the mirror? What do you think of when you picture yourself in your own mind? Body image is defined as the subjective mental image of one’s own body. When you have a positive body image, you feel good about the way you look. The goal is to feel comfortable in your own body without having to change to fit other people’s perception of a “perfect” person. The way you see yourself is most times influenced by outside forces. Whether it be the media, such as in magazines or online, or the opinions of your peers. Society’s unrealistic views of beauty have caused many young women and teens to change to fit its standards.

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I’m going to continue eating pizza and not worry about what my collarbones look like.

Over time, society has pressed women into changing their appearance. Every day we see pictures on social media websites that portray most women to have a thin body and be below a size four. People naturally compare themselves to others and for many, this ideal thin body has become a challenge to obtain. Having a “negative body image” can lead to eating disorders and low self esteem. Our idea of beauty has been distorted due to exposure to media. It causes us to have low self esteem, and question our appearance when we look in the mirror. Social media is such a big deal when it comes to self confidence, because it is hard to ignore.

The sizes of models that the fashion industry use do not accurately resemble the large amount of female consumers in the world. Earlier this year, an ad for Lane Bryant was rejected by television networks for using a plus-sized model and being “too racy.” In the U.S. fashion industry, “plus-sized” is considered to be a size 12 and up, but in the real world this is an average size for a grown woman. Brands like Victoria’s Secret feature unrealistic standards of beauty and body shape. The Victoria’s Secret Angels are all taller than 5’8” and below a size 2, urging women to become like them.

Many students in middle school and high school are fighting the battle of trying to “fit-in”. These kids have developed a huge concern about their weight. This can lead to them attempting to control their weight by diets and refusal of food. This can be dangerous and developing medical conditions due to abnormal weight gain or weight loss can occur.

Here are what a few Greenwood students had to say:

Lexi Stewart: “Personally, I feel that media distorts not only the physical representation of ‘beautiful’ and ‘sexy,’ but also the frame of mind of those who see it. Trust me, when Photoshop is used to get rid of acne or make someone a little tanner, I don’t have a problem. It’s when you totally change the size and shape of a human being. While it’s usually women speaking out about body image, I think it’s unfair to neglect guys. The pictures that bigwig fashion and makeup lines plaster around us create unrealistic expectations in our minds of ourselves, and others. I know I’m not ‘society’s ideal standards of beauty,’ but I think I’m pretty cute, so I’m going to continue eating pizza and not worry about what my collarbones look like.”

Megan McConnell: “You should be proud of the way you look. No one is going to look like Barbie or Ken.”

Anna Quinn Scifres: “Body Image is something every girl sees. We see beautiful stick thin models and wish we could be like them. The body image projected by the media is harmful to girls. We should love our bodies because it’s what houses us and cares for us. Everyone is different and we shouldn’t have to conform to one image. You are beautiful and no one should tell you otherwise.”