Jacob Hyung Joon Seo
Mrs. Williams
A.P. Language
4 September 2013 Self-image is how one may perceive their physical features in a positive or negative way. Many things can affect an individual’s idea or view on his/her body’s visual features. For example, magazines and modern models can be misinterpreted to contain or represent the perfect shape a person should have to be socially accepted. The most affected group that has been targeted is the younger teenage females. Studies have shown that younger girls are more vulnerable to body dissatisfaction opposed to the opposite sex. (Helen Winefield, 67-83) Younger girls are more likely to address their own body image while younger males turn their attention to other things. Since the girls are younger and still maturing, they don’t yet understand how biased the media is. Scientific studies show that a girl exposed to television shows with or without “thin” ideal actresses and being surrounded by peers who were or were not dressed to exhibit sexual competitiveness can affect the way she sees her own body. (Krishna Velasquez, 458-483) Media is corrupting the modern youth by exposing their younger minds to damaging and corruptive content. Competition does find itself amidst the bedlam in the schools of these young girls that want to look the “best.” Some girls may not be “up to par” with the models that they strive to become with physical blemishes and childhood obesity. The issues that medias propose toward society cause bullying. These habits of trying to be the best looking can ultimately even lead to damage to a person’s health. Studies show that inter-competitiveness also has a major role in this complex plot of body image. Experiments have shown with hard evidence that the self-conscious thoughts of inferiority raised depression levels mostly because of larger Body Mass Indexes. (Munoz, Monica, E. Ferguson, Cristopher J. 383-392) the previous article, they state that media exposure isn’t the reason for body dissatisfaction but is instead inter-peer competitiveness. Evidence is not shown in this section of the article, and it may be considered invalid this far into research. Parental causes also have the world to do with self-image and body dissatisfaction. I have personally witnessed a parent scolding a child for how big or skinny they were. Parents or who are considered as parents represent role models to many children around the globe. Children may want to take their parent’s spot in the future and reproduce the features of their parents. If a parent were to scold a child for being larger than the rest, that child is being exposed to the most intolerable and disgusting type of criticism there is. The parent should never be so harsh on the child but should encourage exercise and stress the importance of eating correctly. Scolding a child is no way to prevent childhood obesity from happening. Genetic corpulence is also a reigning factor in this subject. The genes running through the family is an
