Reflective Journal 1 Student Name Professor Julie Doar-Sinkfie ✓ Solved

When I was a teenager, I was greatly affected by the women I saw in movies and magazines in a negative way. I remember watching beautiful actresses on the big screen and thought this was the way women should look and it became the way I wanted to look as well. The majority of actresses I watched in movies were tall and physically fit.

I watched the beautiful girl always end up with the cute guy and live happily ever after. I was particularly affected by movies during my teenage years when I was developing a sense of self and learning about my body. I also read a lot of fashion magazines when I was a teenager and enjoyed looking at the models who wore new fashionable clothes. The advertisements in the fashion magazines showed tall and thin women in beautiful locations. “Studies examined exposure to media forms and body image to show that there may be a link between viewing images of thin bodies and personal body dissatisfaction” (Makwana, 1).

I found this to be true with my own experience. My self-esteem lowered and I was extremely dissatisfied with my body as I realized that I would never grow to be six feet tall and develop a perfect body. I did not realize that the women I saw in movies and in magazines had a team of people working hard to make them look perfect for the few moments they were on camera. The images in magazines were photoshopped and their natural imperfections were erased and replaced with flawless images. “Social media not only exposes young girls to certain beauty standards and cultural ideals of womanhood, but emerging research shows it may contribute to the development of eating disorders and body dysmorphia” (Tackett, 2).

Luckily I did not develop an eating disorder but unfortunately a few of my classmates did. Sadly, as a teenager I didn’t realize that I was trying to obtain a body that was not possible and not real. It is sad to think that the media has this much impact on the public and the way we feel about ourselves, and a lot of people do not feel good about themselves unless they conform to the images that mainstream culture promotes.

Paper For Above Instructions

The impact of media representations on body image and self-perception has critical implications for societal development and personal well-being. This reflective journal aims to articulate my personal experiences navigating the complex landscape influenced by media as a teenager, linking these experiences to larger theoretical discussions on body image, societal standards, and mental health.

During my formative years as a teenager, the pervasive presence of media played a crucial role in shaping my perceptions of beauty and self-worth. From blockbuster movies to glossy fashion magazines, the representation of women's bodies often conformed to a narrow standard of beauty. The actresses and models I admired were typically tall, slender, and conventionally attractive. This created a distorted reality where I subconsciously internalized the belief that beauty was synonymous with a specific body type, inevitably affecting my self-esteem and body image.

I remember feeling immense pressure to conform to these unattainable ideals. Significant media outlets, from Hollywood movies to fashion editorials, presented singular narratives of beauty that were reinforced by societal endorsement. I found myself constantly comparing my body against these images, leading to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction. This sentiment resonates with research indicating that exposure to idealized body images can contribute to body dissatisfaction among adolescents (Makwana, 2018).

The ominous influence of social media further exacerbated these feelings. Platforms like Instagram and Snapchat would inundate me with pictures of seemingly perfect lives filled with beautiful people. The use of filters and photo-editing tools created an implausible standard that many adolescents strived to achieve. Alternate research indicated that these portrayals contribute not only to personal dissatisfaction but also to the development of mental health issues, including eating disorders and body dysmorphic disorders (Tackett, 2019). Thankfully, I managed to navigate this turbulent phase without developing an eating disorder, despite the profound dissatisfaction with my own physical appearance.

Reflecting on this experience, I realize the immense pressure that media can exert on our self-perception and societal norms regarding body image. The realization that the women I aspired to resemble were often manufactured through extensive editing and team coordination was an eye-opener. The perfection on-screen does not mirror reality, which is an unpleasant truth that many people, especially young women, grapple with daily.

The dissonance between media representations and real-life bodies highlights the need for an inclusive narrative that embraces diverse body types. It is crucial for future generations to learn that beauty is not a monolithic concept but rather a spectrum. Inclusive media representation can empower individuals to love their authentic selves, diminishing the pursuit of unattainable beauty standards.

Furthermore, critical engagement with media can aid in developing a healthier relationship with body image. Understanding the extent of photo manipulation within fashion and entertainment media unveils the constructed nature of reality. This knowledge reassures individuals that it is acceptable to deviate from societal norms and encourages authenticity beyond external appearances.

In conclusion, my experience as a teenager immersed in a media-saturated environment revealed the detrimental effects of narrow beauty standards on self-esteem and body image. The intersection of media representation and personal identity warrants ongoing reflection as we strive for a more inclusive society. Through active engagement with media and broadening the narrative around body image, we can foster an environment where individuals feel valued for their uniqueness, leading to healthier self-perceptions and societal standards.

References

• Makwana, B. (2018). Selfie-Esteem: The Relationship Between Body Dissatisfaction and Social Media in Adolescent and Young Women. Retrieved from mind.org/article/selfie-esteem-the-relationship-between-body-dissatisfaction-and-social-media-in-adolescent
• Tackett, B. (2019). Social Media and Body Image. Retrieved from about:blank
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