The Effects of Media on Body Image

Body image is the way a person feels about their body. It has to do with how they feel physically and emotionally about themselves and what they think other people see and feel about them. People with a positive body image are comfortable and confident with how their own bodies look. Those with a negative body image are usually self conscience and uncomfortable about their bodies. Many people with a negative body image also have a low self esteem. Self esteem is how worthy or respectful we see ourselves to be as a whole. When your self esteem is low, you have a pessimistic view of your life inside and outside. When your self esteem is already low, media imagery is going to have a larger effect on you rather than someone who has a high self esteem. This is because when you have a low self esteem, you are more vulnerable and weak. Media is a powerful tool that has a huge impact on the audience. This impulse only increases with age. When a person with a low self esteem sees these media images, they tend to judge themselves against this unrealistic standard portrayed by the press. By doing so, it brings down their hopes and feelings about their own bodies. The main types of media viewed by young girls include: television, commercials, billboards, music videos, movies, magazines, and advertisements. Overall, the media has a negative effect on a persons’ body perception.