Shari L. Dworkin and Faye Linda Wachs argue that the images and portrayals of bodies in the media leads people to feel inadequate while Michael Levine and Sarah Murnen argue that that is not the case. The argument of yes brought on by Dworkin and Wachs states that, “Women’s power and experience of self is based on the ability to meet current cultural ideals. Women and girls come to experience themselves as if someone were looking at them (as an object) and evaluate themselves based on appearance and their successful presentation of self as an object”(70) I think that this is true sadly the media an the culture has made it where women are more self conscious even subconsciously where we do think well do I look ok before going out and if we don’t feel like we look good we tend to think that everyone is looking at us.
Dworkin and Wachs state that, “grooming practices and fashion expand, as it is framed as ‘imperative’ for both women and men (manscaping, manicures, spa treatment, massages). Maintaining a fit body is no longer viewed as a personal choice, but as an obligation to the public good and a requirements for good citizenry”(71-72). This is sadly true again we as a society have become so use to the medias coverage of what an ideal body should look and be like that now we tend to look around on a daily basis and when we she something that does not fit into the mold we question why they don’t look like they should. We question whether or not we are being looked at and judged as well. The section continues to state that, “fat is unhealthy. Prevents you from being everything you can be. Leads to public ridicule, especially at the hands of the opposite sex. Is a sign of one’s failure to demonstrate a proper ‘work ethic’. The ratification of the fat-free form is visually reinforced almost continuously with the imagery in magazines. Idealized bodies with no body fat are featured on the covers and throughout magazines”(72) I find this funny since doctors say a little fat is necessary for everyone. I do get that people should not be obese due to it causes health problems but our societies addiction with pressuring everyone to lose weight doesn’t help, infact I think that the pressure can lead to many developing problems emotionally and physically, trying to keep up with societies ideals is harmful. The last quote that they mention that I thought was worth mentioning was the fact that society is crazy, “for women, decreasing fat was the most common diet recommendation. For women fitness and dieting are critical to become slim”(73) I think that watching the amount of fat that you intake is important as well as watching the sugar and everything else you eat. But the fact that Fat reduction is only associated with women diets is ridiculous. I don’t understand why for women the less fat is better but shouldn’t it be the case for everyone men and women?
Michael Levine and Sarah Murnen states right in the beginning that they believe people with “negative body images, and unhealthy behaviors have mental problems” that cause these issues not the media. They continue to say “the few published studies do suggest that early exposure to thin-ideal television predicts a subsequent increase in body image problems”(82) they continue to state that, “common sense and people’s lived experience specifically if mass media are a casual risk factor should show how the media provides the raw material from which children and adolescents extract and construct the information and behavioral cues necessary to develop the components of eating disorders.”(80-81) I think that both articles state that the media does impact a persons life and their views on their body. Although one is against and another for the impacts that the media can have they both states how the media has effects on our lives and how it is easy to become pessimistic about your body due to the media scrutiny and the media’s dedication to making slim bodies the ideal. I think that there is a line where at a certain age you should know that its only TV and not allow it to affect you, however its hard to not let it affect you in some why. We can’t escape it sadly but I think by telling yourself that it is around you and that being rail thin may not be healthy for you then you can try and ignore it. Everyone is a different size and people are meant to be different, as long as your healthy I don’t think it should matter if you measure up to what a model is expected to look like after airbrushing.
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