Picture Credit:: The Reality Magazine by ~x-vegan-x~ [[deviantart.com]]
"Advertisers are aware of their role and do not hesitate to take advantage of the insecurities and anxieties of young people, usually in the guise of offering solutions." - Jean Kilbourne
In my gender women's studies class we had recently discussed the corrosive effects of magazine Ads on women (especially teenagers). The image above, i think, perfectly portrays my main point. Advertisments in magazines (as well as numerous other forms of media) tell us who we are and how we should be.
First and foremost there is the ideal female body image that is impossible to achieve in REAL women. The perfect feminine figure shown is found only in about 5% of the female population... and even then its all genetics. Not all women are genetically tall, thin and fair skinned..etc. And even when the "perfect body" is achieved, blemishes and other nit picks are blown out of proportion and seen as problems needing to be solved. Media is so centered on valuing and seeing worth only in women who are beautiful and PERFECT.
Reducing self esteem seems to be the key to selling Ads. Make the person feel bad about themselves... unsatisfied.... in order to get them to continue to buy their product and focus on learning to better themselves. Magazines focus on selling products and ways to manage weight and skin care (make up). For men and women. And as the picture above states " if you dont look like this, you're an ugly failure" and no one finds you attractive. "Excuse me miss, you must be a size 2 to be accepted in society, please drop 6 sizes and come back... oh and to get you started on the 'new you' purchase this $85 diet pill for fast results!"
This kind of pressure on body image is what hurls hundreds of teenage girls into eating disorders. That they should only care about looks, fashion, make up, gossip, boys etc.
"Whether they admit it or not, they perpetuate the image that women should be slim, covered head to toe in makeup, and be perfect looking. Hence the Barbie.
To me these magazines are another form of distracting people from reality, somehow making them think that spending money to look "good", and surrounding themselves with the latest possessions, will make them happy."
~x-vegan-x~
Women are almost always portrayed in the most provocative and alluring ways.... sensual innuendos... half naked ads to sell jeans and other trivial objects... why do they have to be half naked!? It can even be argued that the sensual images found everywhere in Ads are why men are so lustful of the bodies of women... the after effects ending in violence to women. Women become more like objects then real people. Beautiful, alluring play things. "Just be quiet and look pretty". Because thats all women are good for.
Even our wonderful, lovable, amazingly beautiful celebs get their share of photoshop before the magazine Ad gets printed.
This is no perfection in humans.
We are all made different, unique and beautiful.
Be happy with who you are and how you are.
//Ame_ena//
