With modern increases in technology, it is inevitable that the media plays a prominent role in society. The media influences public opinion of everything from politics to what products people purchase on a daily basis. Technology is used more than ever to advertise products, and sex appeal is a critical component for many companies and their products. Racy images of men and women are used to sell everything from clothes to cars. The desire to be like the young, attractive celebrities and models that advertise products leads to a skewed body image and perception of life. These standards of beauty, which often negatively impact America’s youth, can be difficult or impossible to obtain and can lead to mental health issues and eating disorders. It is clear that the media has a detrimental effect on personal body image and needs to be made aware of its power in today’s society. The ongoing problem of eating disorders has taken a toll on the female population in the United States. Women of all ages have become targeted victims just by being exposed to the media that circulates throughout our country.
There are websites that even tell you how to lose weight fast. Celebrity role models have also caused their most loyal followers to start dieting so they could look just like a celebrity. Many people across the United States do not understand how severe the outcomes of eating disorders really are. According to statistics one of every 10 cases of anorexia nervosa causes death by hunger, cardiac arrest and/or other medical complications, or by suicide. This causes me to wonder why the public has not done more to help females around the world to stop this battle.
The never-ending battle with a woman vs. herself has caused the Dove Company to be one of the first companies to put their foot down. In 2004, heads turned when Dove launched their Campaign for Real Beauty. The campaign highlighted real women promoting the lotion they were selling at the time. Slowly but surely advertisements in magazines, billboards, and TV commercials across the United States were everywhere. Not only were the advertisements a huge success, but they also allowed the “real women” shown in the ads express to other women that it is ok to be who you are.
Without these companies, societies will continue to see depressed girls with eating disorders who will go to great lengths to be just like Barbie. These social views have led to an increase in frequency of eating disorders and other debilitating health issues. Media exposure will only continue to expand in the future. It is important to understand the impacts of this growing problem that threatens the well being of America’s youth.
