Cause And Effect Of Barbie Research Paper
Brianna Guffanti
English 122 Wednesday 11:00am-1:45pm
11/5/14
Cause and Effect Essay
Why don’t I look like her? Media’s portrayal of the “perfect” body and what a person should or could look like is a very controversial issue in the world today. Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured in March 1959, portrays what the perfect body is presumed to look like. For over fifty years, Barbie’s creator, Ruth Handler has been the subject of numerous disputes and lawsuits. One of the most common complaints of Barbie is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for a young woman. For centuries media has broadcasted this “ideal image”. For instance, to further explain why Barbie promotes an unrealistic body image, we much first look at her “infamous” …show more content…
Media’s portrayal of the “perfect” body puts immense pressure on anyone. Whether it be male or female. The Victoria Secret model’s that everyone craves to be like, all have the same body type and receive alterations or manipulations to make them appear perfect. As for the models petite figure, females who are going through the “why can’t I look like her” stage, turn to a quicker method to change their looks other than anorexia. Bulimia is characterized by the act of binging and purging. A person eats and then deliberately force themselves to vomit. Bulimia is an emotional disorder involving distortion of body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight. Although anorexia and bulimia are extremes, they happen quite frequently.
Though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that “no exact cause of eating disorders have yet been found,” they do admit that some characteristics have been shown to influence the development of the illnesses, which include low self-esteem, fear of becoming fat and being in an environment where weight and thinness were emphasized – all of which are shown to be related to media depictions of idealized bodies, which is all but inescapable (2). Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are caused, in part, by an extreme commitment to attaining the “perfect” body as portrayed in …show more content…
Recognize that your body is not just an ornament or an object to be fixed and judged — it is an instrument to live and do and be. Reject messages that teach you otherwise. Cancel subscriptions, unfollow on social media, spend your money elsewhere, talk back to companies and speak up in your own circles of influence. Your reflection does not define your worth, and self-comparisons to unreal ideals get us absolutely nowhere. These ideals are unlikely to change anytime soon, so we have to change our perceptions of media and bodies with or without media (2). Media’s portrayal of the “ideal” body pertains to the manipulation and alterations using technology and plastic surgery. Media shows one body type; unnatural. Beauty is natural, being who you are without media to influence your self-worth.
Works Cited:
1. Golgowski, Nina. "How Barbies Body Size Would Look in Real Life." Daily Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
2. "The Average Doll vs Barbie." British Broadcasting Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
3. "Photoshopping: Altering Images and Our Minds." Beauty Redifined. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
4. Dittmar, Helga. "How do 'Body Perfect ' Ideals in the Media have a Negative Impact on Body Image and Behaviors? Factors and Processes Related to Self and Identity." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 28.1 (2009): n. pag. Print.
5. Ruper, Stefani. "How Perfect Is the Perfect Body." Whole
English 122 Wednesday 11:00am-1:45pm
11/5/14
Cause and Effect Essay
Why don’t I look like her? Media’s portrayal of the “perfect” body and what a person should or could look like is a very controversial issue in the world today. Barbie, a fashion doll manufactured in March 1959, portrays what the perfect body is presumed to look like. For over fifty years, Barbie’s creator, Ruth Handler has been the subject of numerous disputes and lawsuits. One of the most common complaints of Barbie is that she promotes an unrealistic idea of body image for a young woman. For centuries media has broadcasted this “ideal image”. For instance, to further explain why Barbie promotes an unrealistic body image, we much first look at her “infamous” …show more content…
Media’s portrayal of the “perfect” body puts immense pressure on anyone. Whether it be male or female. The Victoria Secret model’s that everyone craves to be like, all have the same body type and receive alterations or manipulations to make them appear perfect. As for the models petite figure, females who are going through the “why can’t I look like her” stage, turn to a quicker method to change their looks other than anorexia. Bulimia is characterized by the act of binging and purging. A person eats and then deliberately force themselves to vomit. Bulimia is an emotional disorder involving distortion of body image and an obsessive desire to lose weight. Although anorexia and bulimia are extremes, they happen quite frequently.
Though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that “no exact cause of eating disorders have yet been found,” they do admit that some characteristics have been shown to influence the development of the illnesses, which include low self-esteem, fear of becoming fat and being in an environment where weight and thinness were emphasized – all of which are shown to be related to media depictions of idealized bodies, which is all but inescapable (2). Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are caused, in part, by an extreme commitment to attaining the “perfect” body as portrayed in …show more content…
Recognize that your body is not just an ornament or an object to be fixed and judged — it is an instrument to live and do and be. Reject messages that teach you otherwise. Cancel subscriptions, unfollow on social media, spend your money elsewhere, talk back to companies and speak up in your own circles of influence. Your reflection does not define your worth, and self-comparisons to unreal ideals get us absolutely nowhere. These ideals are unlikely to change anytime soon, so we have to change our perceptions of media and bodies with or without media (2). Media’s portrayal of the “ideal” body pertains to the manipulation and alterations using technology and plastic surgery. Media shows one body type; unnatural. Beauty is natural, being who you are without media to influence your self-worth.
Works Cited:
1. Golgowski, Nina. "How Barbies Body Size Would Look in Real Life." Daily Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
2. "The Average Doll vs Barbie." British Broadcasting Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
3. "Photoshopping: Altering Images and Our Minds." Beauty Redifined. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
4. Dittmar, Helga. "How do 'Body Perfect ' Ideals in the Media have a Negative Impact on Body Image and Behaviors? Factors and Processes Related to Self and Identity." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 28.1 (2009): n. pag. Print.
5. Ruper, Stefani. "How Perfect Is the Perfect Body." Whole