Body Image

2

The Media• Everyday we are hit with

thousands of media images which show us the “ideal” male and female looks. However, very few people actually match up to these ideals. Advertisers use body images to promote their products by showing that beauty equals happiness.

3

• Classwork:–Define BODY IMAGE–How does the media portray the ideal male

and ideal female appearance?– List several popular commercials. •Who appears in the commercials and what

do they look like? •What is the message the commercial is

trying to send? • Is the message real?

– In what ways would you change the media images to help people see a more realistic view of life?

• Dove • http://www.youtub

e.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U

• Photo Shop• http://www.youtub

e.com/watch?v=YP31r70_QNM&feature=related

Cultural Significance of Barbie Dolls

Barbie’s body type: 5’9”, 36-18-33”

• If Barbie were real woman, she would not be able to menstruate.

• “her narrow hips and concave stomach would lack the 17 to 22 percent body fat required for a woman to have regular periods”

• 1965 to be exact, with the introduction of “Slumber Party Barbie”, that the doll’s creators encouraged the young female consumers to become obsessed with their own weight.

• Along with the set of pink plastic hair curlers, the doll included some “bedtime reading—a book called How to Lose Weight that offered this advice:

• “Don’t Eat.’ ”