How Does Social Media Affect The Perception Of Body Image

The perception of the desired body image has changed drastically over the past centuries with the help of the devouring use of social media, the overwhelming difference in society, and new obscure trends. Everyday people are fighting themselves on whether or not they have the ideal body, and when they do not they think they are not good enough. The idea of body image has made it so insecurities are heightened and self love is lowered Amy Bloom once said, “You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”
Social Media has the most overpowering impact on the idea of the perfect body. Everyday teenagers and adults scroll through their phones viewing the unrealistic requirements about body image. In the early 1920’s America wanted women with more curves and about one hundred and fifty pounds. Men, on the other hand, were not as influenced to have that perfect body, Today, people are insecure because they do not look like the people in magazines or on the internet. Men are expected to have muscles strong enough to lift cars,
In the late 40’s and early 50’s the ideal body image for women was “the thicker the better”. Women did not need to be thin, curviness is what men desired. Male body image was a lean, stylish look. In previous years women were trying to become independent, so the influence for a perfect body was minimal. Male influence was low as well because they were busy serving the country at war. Compared to today’s society which is highly impacted with social media, and celebrities. We are focused on having the most desired body that is flaunted on magazines. Whether it is the thin, yet curvy body for a women, or the muscled strong body of a Man. The large impact society can be easily seen, it’s what influences us in our daily lives and that is why America has a high expectation for body