Body Image Among Women: The Pressure To Be 'Perfect' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Body Image Among Women: The Pressure To Be 'Perfect'

Something needs to change.

7858
Body Image Among Women: The Pressure To Be 'Perfect'

As women in society, we tend to feel so much pressure to look “perfect.” According to a survey conducted by Whatsgoodly among college women, 80 percent of students feel this pressure. Sadly, we can all probably think of at least a few times or ways in which we felt insecure about our bodies.

But why?

The media’s definition of beauty has completely altered the way we look at ourselves. The media has created an unrealistic expectation for the “ideal” body. Models are photoshopped to look slimmer, skin touched up to look flawless and so on.


One thing that I really don’t like about the fashion/modeling industry is that all models fit this specific look. For example watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show you see all of these women with super long legs, flat stomachs, and perky boobs.

How come there’s no short models? Or models that don’t have abs? Women that are short or that don’t have an insanely thin waistline are just as beautiful, maybe even more, than the women that walk across a catwalk.

I admit that I have my insecurities whether it be a pimple on my forehead, the rolls on my stomach when I sit down or the birthmark on the back of my leg. I know that I am not super skinny but I also know that I’m not fat either and I think this is something that all girls with insecurities need to consider.

You may have pimples on your face but that doesn’t make you “ugly.”

You may have a little extra skin on your stomach but that doesn’t make you “fat.”

As cliché as it sounds, nobody is perfect. Perfect isn't real. We all have imperfections and everyone’s body is built differently.

Another thing that needs to change: shaming women who are confident. Someone that constantly post selfies or looks in the mirror is often seen as “full of themselves” or “big headed” or “self-absorbed” but what’s wrong with being confident and loving yourself? Absolutely nothing. More women should feel this way about themselves and we should have the right to. And as women, we should be lifting each other up, not tearing each other down by pointing out imperfections or shaming someone for being confident.

Also, 62 percent of college women made the New Year’s resolution to loose weight.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to loose weight or workout but is it necessary and what is your purpose? The only reason you should want to loose weight is if you’re doing it for yourself because of health reasons or just to make yourself happy. You should never feel like you have to loose weight or look good for anyone but yourself.

There are definitely steps being made in the right direction. For example, Aerie's campaign #AerieReal that promotes positive body image and does not retouch any of their models and the fact that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has included women of different ethnicities. I've even seen mannequins of different body shapes in stores now. Society and the media are finally catching on the the issue with women's body image but in order for there to be a drastic change, we ourselves also need to change the way we think of our bodies.

If we learn to love ourselves and refuse to let society define the way we see ourselves, I believe society would be a less toxic environment for women.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

128998
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29293
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27109
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments