How Does Media Affect Society's Perception Of Beauty

The media affects society’s perception of beauty in many ways. When models in media publications are photoshopped to perfection and their hair and makeup is done by professionals for hours, it creates an unrealistic expectation for the average person. The media seems to alter the world’s perception of beauty by using photoshop, whitewashing, and encouraging ridiculously fit body-types.

Photoshop is one the of most common tools used in media that forms society’s definition of beauty. The article “Faking Beauty” says, “‘Photoshopping, especially as it’s related to children and adolescents, gives them an unrealistic expectation of what they might expect to look like as they grow up’” (Davis 1). Photoshop affects the world’s perception of beauty by making everyday people appear perfect. No one can achieve the looks of someone who was digitally altered to appear flawless, but when most of the photos people see from the media have been retouched, they may start to expect to look like that. The same text says, “‘They are these idealized images of beauty where
The “Male Eating Disorder Infographic” says, “The muscularity of ideal male body representations has increased from the 1970’s to 1990’s, presenting a largely unattainable body type” (National Eating Disorder Association 1). Males in the media are usually presented with a very muscular build. This once again sets unrealistic expectations, but the media consumed daily by the average person can make it seem that this is normal, and that all men should look muscular. The source also says, “Up to 43% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies” (NEDA 1). The media’s definition of beauty where everyone is fit and muscular can to a feeling of inferiority. It makes men feel dissatisfied with themselves when they can’t achieve this nearly unattainable body-type that is normalized in the