Rethinking Beauty
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Rethinking Beauty

Loving yourself is the greatest revolution.

166
Rethinking Beauty
Personal Photo

Growing up in a society where everyone thinks the only way to be beautiful is to be a size 0 and having the perfect contour is extremely disheartening. Every size, every shape, every person is beautiful in their own way; with or without makeup, curvy or not curvy. All that matters is that you feel happy and healthy in your own skin. No number of likes should determine your self-worth. The number on the scale should not determine your self-worth. However, with the omnipresent media, this way of thinking is almost impossible for some.

Body dissatisfaction is on the rise in the United States and about 80 percent of 10-year-old American girls have been on a diet. According to one article, a large amount of stress comes from seeing what their peers are posting online. Adolescents are at their height of needing body image validation (Knorr, 2014). Being in a constant silent competition with peers can be extremely deprecating for adolescents.

According to the Common Sense Media article (2014), messages that are portrayed in the media can also lead to extreme body dissatisfaction. The media has been largely criticized for creating unrealistic expectations of what the “normal” body image should look like. This sociocultural norm is difficult, if not impossible, for most adolescents and women to obtain leading to dissatisfaction with their own bodies.

The question that arises is where do these adolescents and their peers come up with the criteria of what ideal body image is and what is not? Is it the media that is dictating what an “ideal” woman should look like? How could this be entirely true when the ‘perfect body’ in the media has looked extremely different over the years? Marilyn Monroe was considered one of the most popular sex symbols in the 1950’s. Today, she would be considered a ‘plus size’ woman. Looking back on the ideal women in the past, one can clearly see the gap between the bodies of idealized women and everyday people has gotten wider. Continuing to educate women and girls on what should be considered a realistic, obtainable body image, could result in a shift in the media. Recently, the brand Dove has been displaying advertisements using models with more diverse body types who more resemble the body types of everyday people. If more brands and/or industries sense a turn in everyday people’s view of what the social norm should be, the future may see other changes in the way the media depicts the ideal body.

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

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58121
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37437
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959082
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192759
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments