https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage How the Media effects Body Image in Women en-us 2017-12-07 01:25:55 UTC 2025-11-07 04:46:04 UTC hello@padlet.com mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213959108 The topic I chose for our I-Search paper was on the subject of how the media effects body image in women. There are several questions I wanted to cover in my research:
1. Does the media insert subliminal messaging into ads, movies, television, etc. that influences body image?
2.  At what age does the media effect body image in women?
3. How can we prevent our future daughters from succumbing to negative body image?
4. Why are we so influenced by the media when it comes to body image?

I found some interesting answersn during my search. ]]> 2017-12-07 01:29:13 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213959108 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213960969 The first question I was able to answer was at what age body image begins to be influenced by the media. Many young children watch Disney movies, but young girls tend to look up to the princesses featured in Disney films. With their perfect physiques and stunning looks, little girls are being influenced on what to think is beautiful. All Disney princesses feature tiny waists, proportionate busts and hips, tiny noses, large eyes, perfect hair and full lips. They are presenting an unrealistic expectation to children. This can cause little girls to develop body image issues at a young age by comparing themselves to these characters. ]]> 2017-12-07 01:42:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213960969 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213964308 Another question I did some research on was the topic of how to prevent negative body image for our future daughters. I stumbled upon a website created for parents which lists 5 ways they can prevent issues with body image, as well as instill positive body image. The topic that stood out to me most was: Modeling Positive Body Image. This states that by a mother portraying positive body image towards herself, daughters will follow suite in viewing their self in a positive light as well.]]> 2017-12-07 02:18:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213964308 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213964779 This is a question I have always wondered. Why are we so influenced by the media? My research revealed an interesting answer. Sociologists call this phenomenon "mediated culture." Mediated culture is when media reflects and creates the culture we live in through mass media. Mass media is the "communication -- written, broadcast, or spoken -- that reaches a large audience." My findings stated that corporations that produce media comprise a minority elite. This elite (corporations) is viewed by the "lower class" (the masses) as being a "higher class," therefore we  follow the views they project on us because humans naturally follow those who are viewed as "superior." We are influenced by the media because it is a larger entity than us, being viewed as a superiority figure. ]]> 2017-12-07 02:23:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213964779 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213967601 For this project, I interviewed a friend of mine who is in the entertainment industry herself. She has been the face of a major automotive brand, and has starred in televisions shows as well as movie pilots. I wanted to find out if body image is something she struggled with, and if so, in what ways. She confirmed that she does indeed struggle with her own body image. She stated that the industry can be brutal, and that if you aren't perfect in what they are seeking, you won't get the part. She states that she plans to get plastic surgery to improve her appearance in hopes that she will fit the mold better. 

*** I have included a video on another model who speaks about what it's like to work in the industry, and why it isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her points were inspiring. This is a video I would recommend to many women who struggle with their own appearance or dreams. ***]]> 2017-12-07 02:40:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213967601 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213969396 Subliminal messaging can be found everywhere. These messages objectify women in both subtle and prominent ways. This has been undeniably normalized. During my research I found a peer reviewed journal that stated: "....objectification causes women to internalize media ideals and objectify themselves to a greater extent than men, putting women at particular risk for social comparisons with media representations.” This concludes that subliminal messaging and objectification indeed influences how women view their bodies.]]> 2017-12-07 02:57:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/213969396 mposer742 https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/214005352 In the end, my research revealed that the media does play a large role in how women view their bodies. From social media, movies, television, magazines and advertisements -- we are constantly told what we should look like, and what is "acceptable." We are influenced by larger corporations that feed us what they want us to believe. This all begins in childhood, and sticks with us the rest of our lives. Because of this, we must take action to encourage our children (especially our daughters) positive body image. This can be done through praise, support and by being a positive body image role model. ]]> 2017-12-07 08:17:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mposer742/MediaBodyImage/wish/214005352