Changes in the media

As a culture, I believe that we are all aware of the images, but we are not aware of how they make us feel and the deeper thoughts connected to the messages. The issues seem to be a dismissed because the messages and images are so obvious and widespread. Some females are affected directly, have eating disorders, get plastic surgery or have very low self esteem. Others brush it off, or internalize their feelings.


Media activist Jean Kilbourne says the real tragedy, is that many women internalize these stereotypes, and judge themselves by the beauty industry's standards. This "effectively destroys any awareness and action that might help to change that climate." 2008 media awareness network.


We need to remember that and continue to consider how these images are affecting us. More importantly we must be open to talk about and express how they make us feel. We can no longer hide it. The images are getting out of hand.


There have been some changes in magazines, companies and countries. Some magazines now pledge to not do touch ups on photographs, others pledge to not include models less than 25 years of age. The company of Dove has made a campaign pledging for self-esteem. France has made a new law pledging to stop anorexia!









  • Magazines are changing their looks.










  • DOVE ~ Campaign For Real Beauty, The self-esteem fund!



The site has many films that hit home on the topic. One film Onslaught shows a little girl, then flips to all the images we see in our visual culture: the beauty ads, plastic surgery, diet pills etc. The thought of a young girl who does not think about these things being bombarded by all the images, how her world might be flipped upside down, her idea of beauty distorted, her self esteem torn up. This is very scary and it is happening as we speak.



In the film Evolution we see a model go through transformation, application of makeup and getting her hair done. This is a big enough change already. Then we see the photograph go through changes: her neck is extended, her eyes made larger, shoulders made smaller. Then the image is placed up on a billboard in public. This isn't even a real person anymore. We all know that touch ups get done to most photos but are we reminding ourselves of this constantly?



Dove is also famous for their advertisements with real women. They are very inspiring and dove is still held in high respect. Why can't the rest of advertisers and the fashion industry get on this ban wagon?
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/













  • French Fashion Industry Signs Charter to Promote Healthy Body Images



French outlaw excessive skinniness - Spotlight


The charter was instigated by a working group named: Anorexia and Body image. The formal move is a first step. The law says to punish those people or organizations that help to propagate unhealthy body images. This is a start.





Foundations and organizations designated to eating disorders have been pushing for regulations and these type of changes for quite some time. These changes are occurring slowly and sporadically. A company like Dove gets their message out to millions of people, some of the other laws however go unnoticed. These improvements are heightening awareness and consciousness and offering alternatives. Artists and fellow bloggers are also adding to new positive body image.