Normative Discontent of Body Image - 960 Words

Many people in modern culture have developed what has been termed a normative discontent with their bodies. Women are particularly vulnerable to this development of body dissatisfaction, which has been shown to create numerous negative heath issues. These health issues are a direct result from trying to achieve the unrealistic ideal image media has created. This idea on how the body should look floods modern media and women are discriminated upon if they are unable to meet these strict physical requirements. However, unknown to the masses, the majority of the physical characteristics portrayed are achieved from digital enhancement and not only the product of weight loss. It is my goal within this paper to discuss the populations affected†¦show more content†¦This causes a malnourished state has been known to cause many harmful health problems. Extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, fainting, and dizziness can all be linked improper levels of vitamins and minerals. (cite bulimia) On average, women generally have 6 to 11 percent more body fat than men. Studies show that a women’s hormone estrogen reduces their ability to convert food into energy which results in an increase amount of stored body fat. When the body reaches a low body fat percentage Amenorrhea, the loss of menstruation in women is a likely outcome. This can be a major health concern for young women and should be checked out immediately. Even with all of these negative health issues women are still inclined to achieve an unhealthy body weight. We are no longer exercising for health benefits; but rather to keep up appearance issues at any cost. http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/20/world/study-finds-tv-alters-fiji-girls-view-of-body.html BD travels across cultures One of the most concerning aspects about this western way of thinking is the fact that is expanding to other parts of the world. Culture is a major contributor to the way body images are formed. As a result, different cultures around the world will have different views regarding what is considered attractive. For example, in Polynesian culture bigger thicker individuals wereShow MoreRelatedBeauty Standards For Black Women839 Words   |  4 Pagessurprise that women, in large, are dissatisfied with their bodies. This widespread body dissatisfaction amongst women was coined â€Å"normative discontent† (Rodin, Silberstein, Streigel-Moore, 1984). Although body dissatisfaction seemingly plagues women as a whole, there are several factors that can either serve as a protective factor or a risk factor for the development of body dissatisfaction. Much of the research regarding this normative discontent excludes culturally relevant factors for African AmericanRead MoreThe Medias Influ ence on Adolescent Women1392 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluenced and affected by the media. The media includes anything from magazines, television shows, billboards, radio advertisements, commercials, newspapers and more. Through the media, women are being exposed to all forms of advertisements, including images that display misleading figures of women. These advertisements do not feature women with large hips, wide shoulders, lengthy arms or fuller figures. Instead, the women found on the front pages of magazines and advertisements are usually cookie-cutterRead MoreIs Body Dysmorphic Disorder? Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesChronic dieting, low self-esteem, depression and, high levels of body dissatisfaction were among the major issues women face when addressing their body image (Gingras, Fitzpatrick, McCargar, 2004). The severity of body image dissatisfaction have increased to such a dangerous state that it was added to the DSM-IV as a disorder now called body dysmorphic disorder (Suissa, 2008). One of the main reasons for the prevalence of these conditions in women was due to contemporary Western media, which serveRead MoreThe Media Is Responsible For The Increase Of Eating Disorders1452 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent viewpoints on how the media plays a role in today’s era. My research will study the influence of media on eating behaviors and the significant studies regarding this topic. My paper will also cover the outcomes of media portraying unhealthy body images, weight loss ads, and the influence of the internet encouraging eating disorders. Based on the research, it can be clear that the media is responsible for the increase of eating disorders in today’s society. Therefore, it is important to take counteractiveRead MoreHow Is Lutie Johnson s Murder Of Boots Smith And Bigger Thomas Essay1460 Words   |  6 Pages We see that both novels parallel and have a discussion with each other with regards to the African American struggle and the unattainable goal of success. We see that in both cases the American Dream is a cultural myth, which only benefits the normative White American society. In the editorial titled, The Anglo Inflection of Black America, author Spencer Lee Ash focuses on this very issue of the Anglo inflection on African Americans. He states how blacks have bought into a â€Å"White American† modelRead MoreHow Is Lutie Johnson s Murder Of Boots Smith And Bigger Thomas Essay1502 Words   |  7 Pages We see that both novels parallel and have a discussion with each other with regards to the African American struggle and the unattainable goal of success. We see that in both cases the American Dream is a cultural myth, which only benefits the normative White American society. In the editorial titled, The Anglo Inflection of Black America, author Spencer Lee Ash focuses on this very issue of the Anglo inflection on African Americans. He states how blacks have bought into a â€Å"White American† modelRead MoreHow Media Images Promote Body Dissatisfaction1364 Words   |  6 PagesMany people in modern culture have developed what has been termed a normative discontent with their bodies. Women are particularly vulnerable to this development of body dissatisfaction, which has been shown to create numerous negative heath issues. These health issues are a direct result from trying to achieve the unrealistic ideal image that media has created. This idea on how the body should look fl oods modern media and women are discriminated upon if they are unable to meet these strict physicalRead MoreThe Street By Ann Petry Essay1576 Words   |  7 Pages We see that both novels parallel and have a discussion with each other with regards to the African American struggle and the unattainable goal of success. We see that in both cases the American Dream is a cultural myth, which only benefits the normative White American society. We start with the novel The Street, which closes with Lutie Johnson transformed into a fury, blinded by emotions as she can only see the oppression she faces, forgetting that she is beating the hated Boots Smith to death.Read MoreTeen Pregnancy And Teenage Pregnancy Essay1591 Words   |  7 Pagesadult women aren’t even ready to have a baby, but what about when a teen becomes pregnant? Their bodies may not be fully developed yet, they probably don’t have the support they need in order to handle a situation like getting pregnant, they are still trying to finish school, and the body image issues have probably already started. Whether we’re male or female, adolescence is already a hard time. Our bodies are changing, we’re confused about what is happening, we have to deal with new sexual urges, andRead MoreEssay about Eating Disorders: A Feminist Issue1575 Words   |  7 Pages(1993) makes the argument that the fear of womens fat is actually a fear of womens power. Thus, as women gain power in society, their bodies dwindle and suffer. She states that female hunger--for public power, for independence, for sexual gratification-- [must] be contained, and the public space that women be allowed to take up be circumscribed, limited... On the body of the anorexic woman such rules are grimly and deeply etched (Bordo, 171). Naomi Wolf (1991) has a similar explanation of the