media+myths

Media Myths __** We see it every day, the image of the flawless human but do we often think about the effect that this has on someone’s mind and how they view themselves? While we are growing up we are bombarded with images that show flawless bodies and an image of beauty that is unrealistic. How many people do you see in real life that look like what is show in the media? For an adolescent this raises many self esteem issues as it makes it seem like you have to have all these features to be seen as attractive or that it is the only way to be accepted and acknowledged as a person of merit. Some of the issues it raises are the view of body images, images that have been photoshoped as well as many other important factors. Many guys may be pressured to bulk up and this may lead to steroid taking and too early weights training that could end up stunting growth. The problem with girls however is completely different, for many of the images of women that we see is of unrealistically thin while still healthy and a highly photoshoped effort. This can make girls crash diet and make them feel insecure about themselves if they aren’t tall enough or have the right sized hips or breasts. One of the biggest problems with adolescents is the problem of self esteem. In magazines and TV shows we see these people with amazing bodies. When growing up these images are of incredible performance as many are trying to find out who they are and what they will become. For instance with girls most of the representation is that of models who are highly revealing and ultra thin women. For example FHM a modelling magazine shows images of people who are seen to be highly attractive to many men and as such is what many young girls try to aspire to have bodies like those that they have seen on the magazines and on TV paid models whose image has been photoshoped and been work of photo artists. Images that we see must not be taken at face value and must always be interpreted for their target audience. Most of the images we see are aimed at an older age group and can often be misinterpreted as being what we all must grow up to be. This can lead to a low self esteem if it was taken too seriously. Many Boys can also feel pressured by the beefed up guys they see in TV shows and at the movies without realising that in reality those people often aren’t what they seem in the media. Many of the images we see in main stream media today are those which are made for a particular audience and as such are made to be a profit maker. The editors of fashion magazines don’t often worry about the effects of their images on the youth of today and can as such lead a mind to believe that these images are true. Prime examples are Zoo and FHM these are a modelling magazine that has the right to edit its photos to sell the product. These are false images for in reality there would not normally be someone who is so skinny yet so healthy looking. This is an influence that affects the whole of the youth as it is what young guys look at as being attractive and what girls look at as what they must be like in order to be seen as attractive. These images are created on stereotypes and as such cannot truly be considered to be what we see them as. This creates a stereotype of what we see in others images, what we find attractive and what it is that we wish to be. These images make us the effected suffer of photo artists and don’t allow us to find what we want to be for ourselves. Example of Media Representation
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 * __ Self Esteem __**
 * __ False Reality __**