Women and Their Issues with Body Image - Literature review Example

Women and Their Issues with Body Image Insert Insert Grade Insert Women and Their Issues with Body Image Introduction Image matters a lot in today’s contemporary society. The advancement of the information and communication technology has not made this easy as there are flashy images virtually everywhere today. To add on this, young girls are obsessed with dolls that may be not just mere playing ‘things’ but influencers for body image issues. This paper will examine the issue that has been affecting women and teenage females to the extent of leading to health side effects – body image. This will be done through a review of past research and publications on the various components and influencing factors that arise out of this sensitive feminine matter. As cited by Ferguson et al (2011), the American Psychological Association has identified the issue of body image as one of the top concerns among women and teenage girls. Morover, Doeschka & Rutger (2010) observe that many children in the west are increasingly becoming obsessed with the body image issue at a surprisingly tender age. Women have always remained sensitive to issues concerning their body looks and many are often dissatisfied on how they look even though it might look normal to their male counterparts. Consequently, the issue of body image dissatisfaction among the womenfolk is one of the major concerns that the society has to conclusively explore. There are several research papers that have focused on the subject matter of this paper and this has been done through various dimensions that will be the subject of this paper’s discussion. Weight-Related Aspects of Body Image and Depression Rierdan & Koff (1997) have extensively studied the relationship between under or over weight among early adolescent girls and their linkage to depression. The general observation by the writers has been that there is a high likelihood of depressive symptoms being reported among those with negative body weight images. The use of Beck Depression inventory has enabled the determination of such findings. It helps to determine the dimensions of the negative body image by classifying the associated issues into four categories namely: “self reported weight, subjective classification (very under weight or very overweight), satisfaction with weight and concerns about weight” (Rierdan & Koff, 1997). Another important aspect that influences this relationship is that of the correlation between body image and personality. It is notable that the issue of negative body image or otherwise, positive imaging is a matter of an individual’s conscious as well as unconscious understanding or perception. This is because the way one individual will gauge that they are overweight or otherwise will depend on how they think should be or how they feel as a subject of external influences. In addition, some researcher as indicated by Rierdan & Koff (1997) are for the opinion that the matter of body image is a “Biopsychosocial construction” that is subject to the physical substance of the physical body. Having looked at the various perspectives to this issue, it is important that the link between body image issues and depression among adolescent girls be substantiated. This fact has been verified by several studies as indicated by Rierdan & Koff (1997). Most studies indicate that adolescents and adults have reported a substantial relationship between body image dissatisfaction and lower self-esteem or otherwise high symptomatic levels of depression. This is a clear indicator that negativity, in the shape of perception or substance truth on how individuals are built, has led to cases of depression especially among the youth. Other factors found out in the study by Rierdan & Koff to having a bearing on this correlate include racial and social status of the respondents. For instance, it is reported that white girls who hail from middle class households were mostly affected or were likely to be depressed by body dissatisfaction. This is because they were mostly cultured to think negatively about their body image rather than appreciate them. Another factor that has attracted attention of researchers has been that of the correlation between exposure to thin dolls and food intake among young girls. Dolls and Food Intake Doeschka & Rutger (2010) were engaged in a research that tested the impacts of children playing with thin dolls on their body image as well as food intake levels. This was investigated on 6-10 year Old Dutch girls with popular models of dolls used according to their sizes in terms of body image. They have also indicated that there has been widespread exposure to children in many parts of the world with Australia pointed out as one of the nations where exposure in young girls has led to promotion of thinness as the ideal body size. As indicated by Doeschka & Rutger (2010), most western societies have exposed their young children to thin dolls that have had an impact on how they have desired to be in terms of body image as well as their eating habits. The study noted that young girls who exposed average body sized dolls were likely to eat more. In effect, this suggests that the body size reflected by the doll of certain brands may affect food intake of children who may be consciously or unconsciously aspiring to be like their dolls. The reasoning for this relationship as stated by several writers indicates that children are more susceptible to influence because of the way they learn. Children are more sensitive to the environment in which they grow up in and through observation and imitations; they are able to grasp certain concepts. Therefore, exposure to dolls that are a presentation of some sort of perfected physical image may influence such children. In general terms, the study by Doeschka & Rutger (2010) indicates that girls having dolls with average body sizes showed stronger eating habits in terms of quantity as compared to their counterparts who played with thin dolls. It is however important to note that the study failed to conclusively indicate a positive relationship between doll size and body esteem or the real body size of the children involved. On the contrary, it still held there was a positive correlation between the size of dolls and the quantity of food consumed with girls playing with average sized dolls showing higher intakes as compared to the ones that had thinner dolls. Apart from exposure of young girls to influencers like dolls, peers and the media have been lauded by several studies as some of the major factors that have contributed to body image dissatisfaction or otherwise. Peer Competition and Media Influence To begin, many studies have pointed out the role of the media in the presentation of certain ideals as concerning body image issues in females (Doeschka & Rutger, 2010). As cited by Dohnt & Tiggerman (2006), the urge by women and girls to be thin has been described as a ‘normative discontent’. In addition, it has been noted that the body image issue is not only prevalent in adolescent girls but also the preadolescent ones. This shows the level of influence that the issue of body image dissatisfaction has had on all ages of women and girls in the society we live in that has been characterized by a more advanced and developed media. The most popular influence in the media platforms has been the issue of dieting. Many young girls and even women have been adversely influenced in the issue of dieting, which is mainly promoted as the best way of achieving a thin body. It is surprising to note that the concept of dieting has been taken by girls even at tender ages. Another perspective brought out by Dohnt & Tiggerman (2006) is that of the influence of socio-cultural models. In effect, the society we live in has influenced the identification of certain standards of beauty and therefore women have been left with no choice but to accept and internalize the stressed images of body size. The mass media has therefore come into play because it has increasingly become one of the most important tools for the conveyance of cultural ideals. This has been mostly spread through platforms that relay body images like in television programming and in flashy magazines. As a matter of fact, studies have continued to indicate a positive correlation between image issues among women and television viewership as well as reading of magazines with related content. On the other hand, peer influence can also not be ignored in this discussion. Most girls and young women have been found to share certain values and may even compete among themselves. Just like mass media, peers have the potential of being socio-cultural conveyors even among younger girls. The influence out of mass media and peers are therefore major drivers in body image dissatisfaction because of the way women and girls have identified with the two. Comparison and competition has also influenced the way this issue has been taken by the women. Ferguson, Munoz, Contreras & Velasquez (2011) have added another twist to the subject by indicating that published reports have often suggested more positive relationship between media influence and body image dissatisfaction as compared to unpublished ones. They have identified the BMI as one component that plays an important role in body dissatisfaction. For instance, the World Health organization has been cited as having indicated that women with normal BMI tend to be more satisfied with their bodies. The images relayed are also relative in terms of their influence on women and their body issues. For instance, the images that are of sexual nature are likely to have more influence on women than others are. Measuring of the levels of ideal physical appearance is also important in evaluation of what should be the desired body size. Behavioral and Physiological Correlates Genevieve, Margaret & Cooper (2003) have ventured on the use of PSDQ and its validity as an instrument for evaluation. Overall, body fat and weight have been found to play key roles in the evaluation of body image or the physique. Perception has also been cited by the authors as another influencer of individual’s behavior and tendency to evaluate one’s self in particular situations. The issue of body image dissatisfaction may therefore be a perception problem rather than a mere outward appearance aspect. In addition, it has been noted that body image issues and the state of consciousness on the amount of body fat in women and girls can be conclusively linked to the popular social constructs of the desire for thinness. As a result, there have been increased involvements in exercising and other routines that provide exercise to shed of that excess body fat. A good example is the preference to take on the stairs from the lifts while operating in tall buildings. Engagement with such activities has been found to boost women’s self esteem. In this case, body image has been treated as a lifestyle and a health issue rather an issue of competition or attaining certain standards. From the above discussion and review of the relevant literature, it is evident that women body image dissatisfaction is a multifaceted problem. The society through socio-cultural norms has played a bigger role in this issue. Consequently, mass media influence and peer pressure or competition have also taken the cue and become major conveyors of such norms and therefore promoting acceptance among girls and women on certain elements of body image. This review therefore ascertains the extent to which this issue has gained attention in the recent years. It is therefore important that further research and studies are done to clearly establish why this issue has been largely associated with women and not their male counterparts. References Doeschka, J. A., & Rutger, C. M. E. E. (2010). The Effects of Playing With Thin Dolls on Body Image and Food Intake in Young Girls. Sex Roles, 63, (9-10), 621-630. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11199-010-9871-6 Dohnt, H. K., & Tiggemann, M. (2006). Body Image Concerns In Young Girls: The Role Of Peers And Media Prior To Adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35, (2), 135-145. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10964-005-9020-7 Ferguson, C. J., Munoz, M. E., Contreras, S., & Velasquez, K. (2011). Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: Peer Competition, Television Influences, And Body Image Dissatisfaction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, (5), 458-483. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2011.30.5.458 Genevieve, F. D., Margaret, S. J., & Cooper, D. M. (2003). Physical Self-Concept In Adolescent Girls: Behavioral And Physiological Correlates. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 74, (3), 360-5. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/218497769?accountid=8289 Rierdan, J., & Koff, E. (1997). Weight, Weight-Related Aspects of Body Image, And Depression in Early Adolescent Girls. Adolescence, 32, (127), 615-24. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/195936908?accountid=8289 Read More