Body Obsession in the Media
In a world where image seems to be everything, it's hard not to pay attention to the way you look. Body Image is a quickly growing fad all over the world today. Everyone wants to be that "Victoria Secret" model or the buff guy on the cover of GQ magazine. The problem is some people go the wrong way about obtaining that image and even go to the extent of hurting themselves to reach that ideal look. Many of us catch ourselves standing in front of a mirror analyzing every detail, curve (or lack of), and flaw of our bodies, although there are those who admire their favorite parts as well. Of course everyone has a part of their body that they dislike, but when analyzing turns to an obsession that's when trouble can start. Millions of Americans are in a battle with their own bodies, focusing so much on what they look like that it turns into a fixation. In fact, so many are dissatisfied with their bodies that poor body concept is considered normal in today's society. People tend to distort their views about their own bodies causing them to have a negative body image and such an obsession may be detrimental to their health. Such a negative i
Something Fishy Music and Publishing, fishmaster@something-fishy.com There seems to be a difference between today's society and that of previous decades. Although, even decades ago people were still obsessing over their weight and envied people of the media. From wasp-waisted, corset look to the dangerous curves of Marilyn Monroe to the boyish figure of Twiggy and the more recent supermodel Kate Moss. "A generation ago, the average model weighed 8 percent less than the average American woman, whereas today she weighs 23 percent less...the average model, dancer or actress is thinner than 95 percent of the female population."(Wolf 356-7) The obsession probably began during the time of the first women's movements of America, around the 1920's when females became equal members of society voting and becoming a part of the once thought of "man's world". Perhaps as women became involved in society, they began to let their bodies be controlled by it. The once valued image of fertile women, commonly seen in statues and paintings, with full hips and plump bellies and faces suddenly turned to "the look of sickness, the look of poverty, and the look of nervous exhaustion." (Wolf 356). Maybe women in their mind feel that if their bodies represent self-control and obedience in today's society. "Women operate in a man's world and no matter how accomplished you are, or how good you are at anything, you have to look the part of the beautiful woman, the model thin woman."("Cindy", Berman 353). Perhaps the equality that women now share today caused competition within themselves to prove to be what society labels as "the best". - 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River: A Blair Press Book, 1996. 348-53
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2519
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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