| Women are often bombarded by fictitious media | | | | representation for their age group. Another study by |
| images about their lives and bodies, and find | | | | the Melpomene Institute conducted in 1985 found the |
| themselves subscribing to a lifestyle which only | | | | following: 39% of women aged 20-29 believed they |
| relates to a small minority. Most women are aware of | | | | looked better than most women compared to 87% |
| these impossibilities yet they feel the pressure to | | | | of women over the age of 50 choosing the same |
| continue to strive for the image of the "top model" | | | | response. The results of these studies are quite |
| and oh…… a size 4'. | | | | amazing; they suggest that satisfaction with body |
| Society shapes our body image. In some societies, a | | | | image increases with age. |
| robust woman is viewed as being fertile and | | | | Curious to see how accurate these results were, I |
| therefore admired. In the North American culture, | | | | decided to conduct a simple survey of my senior |
| however there exists an obsession to be thin and fit. | | | | women's fitness class to see how they would fair in |
| Thinness is associated with high social class, with | | | | regards to age and body image, this questionnaire |
| success, and with the ability to attract a man. The | | | | was created for women of 50 years and older. |
| standard of white female beauty has become more | | | | The following are a few random replies from the |
| narrowly defined and restrictive, making it nearly | | | | survey: |
| impossible to be thin enough, fit enough, or young | | | | One participant said how she felt unsatisfied because |
| enough. Society sets such high and unrealistic | | | | she was underdeveloped compared to other women |
| standards that no one can really fit the mold of the | | | | her age when she was in her 20s-30s. She also said |
| ideal beauty. | | | | that what had the greatest effect on her body |
| The ironic reality to our society is that the majority | | | | image were other women, she constantly compared |
| of women on the covers of high fashion magazines | | | | herself to others. Satisfied was the way she |
| are white, but still the average white North American | | | | described her body perception today; "I am happy |
| woman yet alone women of other American cultures, | | | | that I have my health and excellent use of both my |
| can never truly attain this "ideal" image of beauty | | | | arms and legs, this is what is most important to me |
| without anguish, frustration, and/or disappointment. | | | | now". |
| These "media standards of beauty" are rarely | | | | Another female participant stated that she always |
| obtained and should continue to receive criticism of | | | | felt good about her body in her 20s and 30s; she |
| how they are manipulating body image for many | | | | was always secure and confident in herself and |
| women who probably are experiencing transitions and | | | | abilities. She also said that she never had negative |
| changes to their lifestyles for various reasons. | | | | feelings; she always knew what she liked and never |
| Numerous research studies on body image have | | | | changed anything about her appearance. In regards |
| shown that girls that are from ethnic backgrounds | | | | to exercise, she says that she never did it regularly, |
| such as Afro-American and Chinese-Americans, for | | | | but she always liked to walk and run wherever she |
| example showed to have a higher self-esteem | | | | was going, if it was not too far. She shared how she |
| relating to their body image compared to those of | | | | would walk three miles to school each day, and three |
| young white American girls in the same age group. | | | | miles home after school, this was her exercise. About |
| The reason was that few of the girls from these | | | | the media, she felt that the media was changing its |
| ethnic backgrounds rarely compared themselves to | | | | concept of what is beautiful in America. Finally when |
| the images displayed in the magazines or television; | | | | asked about her perception of her body image now, |
| they did not view these figures as realistic role | | | | she responds that, "Yes, I am guilty of eating too |
| models. The media is doing great damage to the way | | | | much and gaining more weight than I should have. My |
| that our young girls view beauty as well as | | | | skin is still very good, beauty comes from the inside |
| themselves, but this image could be reversed by | | | | not just the physical appearance". |
| positive affirmations by older women who inspire | | | | In short, the various research studies have shown |
| their young lives. Positive affirmation should be given | | | | that in general a woman's perception about her body |
| to young girls in regards to their body image when | | | | image and value increases with age. The results of |
| ever possible. | | | | my short survey were no exception; all women |
| Studies conducted by the Melpomene Institute for | | | | stated that they felt more confident about their |
| Women's Health have also shown that women who | | | | bodies as they matured. Beauty is not just on the |
| were 50 years and older also felt underrepresented in | | | | outside. |
| the media. In a study a few years ago by the | | | | Women come in various shapes and sizes; this should |
| institute, it was found that the suggested weight for | | | | be celebrated. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle with |
| a woman 5'4" in height and under 19 years was 113 | | | | fitness, exercise and a good diet, you not only help |
| lbs and 120-122 lbs. for women 19 and older. This is | | | | protect yourself against diseases and increase your |
| hardly realistic and healthy for older women. The | | | | quality of life but it will also make you feel good |
| problem for mature women is the lack of positive | | | | about yourself. |