The Effects of the Mass Medias Female Beauty Ideal on Adolescents - Research Paper Example

? The Effects of the Mass Media’s Female Beauty Ideal on Female Adolescents’ Self-Perception: Trying to Attain the Unattainable Introduction Society is the source in which people look to for developing their personal concept and standards of ideal female beauty (Polivy, Garner, &Garfinkel, 1986). Within society as the loudest and most influential voice in the portrayal and illustration of ideal female beauty is the mass media. Different studies conducted in the fields of eating disorders, media psychology, health psychology, and mass communication provide evidence that mass media are an extremely important source of information and reinforcement in relation to the nature of the thin beauty ideal, its importance, and how to attain it (Lopez-Guimera, Levine, Sanchez-carracedo, &Fauquet, 2010). The media exemplifies female beauty based on thinness and flawlessness – unrealistic and unattainable physical attributes for anyone, even the featured model(s). These images can have negative affects on female adolescents’ self-perception. Body image is central to adolescent girls’ self-definition because they have been lead to believe that appearance is an important basis for self-evaluation and for public evaluation (Thompson, Heinberg, Altabe, &Tantleff-Dunn, 1999). Awareness of constant public evaluation and the internalization of the gaze of others lead young girls to self-monitor, and in turn judge their own appearance. (Advertising Educational Foundation Inc., 2003). Social comparison is another aspect that plays a significant role in female adolescents’ self-perception (Anderson et al., 2001). By comparing oneself to and attempting to fit such a stringent beauty ideal, female youth faces inevitable failure, resulting in body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and/or eating disorders (Heinberg, 1996; Rodin & Striegel-Moore, 1985; Thompson & Stice, 2001). Adolescents are vulnerable and easily influenced, and research demonstrates that adolescent females are directly affected by the stereotypes and thin images that depict female beauty in mainstream media. “Many adolescents are concerned with bodily characteristics and physical attractiveness, and the media is filled with people who exemplify a cultural ideal of beauty that is difficult for most adolescents to attain. For females, a critical part of this ideal is being thin” (Anderson et al., 2001). Exposure to these ideals and images has lead to distorted beliefs and definitions of beauty amongst young girls. One study shows female adolescents’ distorted description of the ideal girl, i.e., 5ft 7in., 100lb, size 5, with long blond hair and blue eyes (Nichter & Nichter, 1991). The problem with such a view is that adolescents often tend to relate themselves to it and attempt to change themselves accordingly. Previous studies have examined the negative effects that fashion magazines have on female adolescents. This study uses such literature to dive deeper into this problem, aiming to gather a better understanding of how time spent, repeated exposure, and both direct and indirect pressures from various media (TV, Internet, magazines) impacts self-perception amongst adolescent girls. Specifically focusing on girls’ ages 13-17, the goal of this study is to point out the effects the unrealistic female beauty ideal promoted by the mass media has on their self-esteem and body-esteem, given that adolescence is such an influential developmental stage. Literature Review Media or what is generally referred to as mass media is any form of communication that simultaneously reaches a large number of people, it is represented and not limited to TV, newspapers, magazines, films, books and billboards (Wimmer ). Given these multiple forms of media it has become possible to access a number of them at any given time. This explains why they have been so effective in influencing our culture, changing beliefs, tastes, interests and behavior (Biagi). It has become an important aspect in dictating what people consider as ideal. The most affected people are young people, especially young girls who are concerned about their looks and are mindful of body changes that are inevitable once in the adolescent stage. Modern day girls are continually forced to think that the ideal body size is exemplified by models who are thin, young, and extremely attractive (Mentzer, 2008). These represent a limited vision of female beauty. The constant theme of beautiful, unrealistically thin models who exude sexuality, have a lot of money, and endless designer wardrobes is bound to get into these girls’ minds (Irving, 2008). Media is responsible for subjecting girls into a double bind where they must balance being sexy, passive, innocent, and virginal. They are supposed to remain reserved and keep feelings composed, while trying to build their careers and achieve success in their jobs on the same level as men (Kilbourne, 1999). Adolescents study media images in order to gain an understanding of what is beauty and how they are expected to look. Studies show that media exposure is related to women’s overall body dissatisfaction, increased focus on appearance, and greater likelihood of accepting and engaging in disorderly eating subjecting them to conditions such as anorexia (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008). The media provides female adolescents with a goal to work towards. The goal is mainly to achieve a thin frame which is considered ideal. Media encourages adolescents to accept the thin ideal and believe that it is realistic. (Botta, 1999). According to Botta (2003) adolescents compare themselves to the standard of beauty presented in media and work to achieve a similar look. Images seen in the media are viewed as attainable goals. Failure to achieve this desired comparison is in most times inevitable and can result to adolescents’ dissatisfaction with their bodies (Botta, 1999). Females with low self-esteem and those in depressed mood were found to have greater media body comparison (Van den Berg, Paxton, Keery, Wall, Guo, &Neumark-Sztainer, 2007). Repeated exposure has been confirmed as one of the man reasons behind continued obsession with certain looks and body images. The thought is founded on the fact that increased exposure inevitably creates a system in our minds. A system dictates our engagements and becomes the rationale through which we determine the ideal activities. In today’s society, female adolescents are constantly in contact with the media. According to Roberts &Foehr (2004) the average teen is exposed to eight to ten hours of various media per day, with the number of media forms exposed to at once increasing. This exposure is fast increasing following easy access to contemporary media forms such as cell phone (text messaging and talking), television, Internet (instant messaging and social networking sites), movies, video games, music, magazines, and more. Young women’s body dissatisfaction appears to increase over time as they are briefly, but constantly exposed to these thin female beauty ideals presented in these different media forms. The more female youth hear and see this ideal female beauty that is exemplified through thinness and perfection, the more they begin to accept this as the norm, as the societal position. The media encourages girls to alter their body sizes to fit within these unrealistically classes flaunted by models in the media. This has a strong likelihood of leading female youth to believe that change is a necessity; women have to change in order to be accepted by society. This is especially bound to affect female adolescents’ who are frequently concerned about their appearance and how others, especially their peers, view them (Muuss, 1988). Increased exposure creates awareness on areas that girls need alter. Resulting from such awareness, adolescents may seek out specific forms of media in place of a friend, expert, or confidant. These media forms offer advice, information, and tips on ways they can change their appearance to ensure they are satisfied with themselves and at the same time ensure acceptance from their peers (Muuss, 1988). This study will focus on four different forms of media, television, internet, magazines and advertisements. An overall observation is that irrespective of what form of media is considered the effect on these girls is both voluntary and involuntary. “Regardless of the form, media is related to girls internalizing the thin ideal, striving to look like the models they see in the media, and developing disordered eating and weight concerns.” (Mentzer, 2008). Television In regard to television, Tiggemann observes the greatest concern is how individuals use the information attained while watching television programs (2005). The level of this information is greatly dependent on the genre of the show being watched vs. the total amount of time spent watching television (Tiggemann, 2005). Young people have a higher affection and reception for reality shows (“The Swan”, “The Real World”, “The Hills”), soap operas (“The O.C.”, “Gossip Girl”, “One Tree Hill”). The information they discern from these shows has a direct effect on their lifestyles. Results suggest that it is not how much time is spent watching television; rather, it is the exposure to what adolescents are watching that has a negative impact on body image. Overweight characters portrayal in television shows is rare. In any case these are aired they are considered ugly and are largely unpopular. Additionally, TV shows that are based on the overweight themes are tailored to show people how to loose weight; teaching adolescents that it is not okay to be overweight, that you have to change yourself, i.e., become thin, if you want to be accepted. Internet Statistics show that 93% of adolescents use the Internet (Pew Research Center and American Life Project). Pro-ana and pro-mia websites, “thinspiration”, and teen magazine websites (Norris et al., 2006) provide adolescents with images that are meant to encourage and motivate girls to continue and sustain their weight loss efforts. “Tips and Tricks” contained in Teen magazine websites are considered more influential and misleading as well. This is because they differ from ordinary magazines in that they can tailor website content to their specific interests and provide a sense of privacy. Study focusing on the content of magazine websites beauty sections that target teenage girls (Labre& Walsh-Childers, 2003) indicate that these sites take advantage of girls’ insecurities to promote body dissatisfaction and the purchasing of products (Labre& Walsh-Childers, 2003). Girls are led to believe that there is a need for these products in order to attain the standard of beauty in today’s society (Labre& Walsh-Childers, 2003). Magazines Magazines show girls the steps they need to take in order to develop an ideal body (Dunkley, Wetheim, & Paxton, 2001). The largest population of young people demonstrate great affinity to magazines on health and fitness (Botta, 2003) and fashion (Jones et al., 2004; Thomsen, Weber, & Brown, 2002). The content in these magazines is largely expected to negatively influence the adolescents. This influence comes from ads, models, and dieting tips that are likely to form a bulk of these magazine’s content. Advertisements Adolescents are influenced by the models/ideals they view in advertisements (Mentzer, 2008). This influence is dependent on the extent to which female youth internalizes the thin/beauty ideal (Blowers, Loxton, Grady-Flesser, Occhipinti, &Dawe, 2003). Internalization of the thin ideal was found to mediate the relationship between media’s pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction. Frequency of social comparison and widespread airing of appearance-related commercials also influences how adolescents view their bodies (Hargreaves &Tiggemann, 2002). Greater exposure informed by increased frequency of airing these commercials and carrying out these comparisons has a greater effect on adolescents. Hargreaves &Tiggemann (2002) found these commercials can lead to decreased confidence, increased anger, and body dissatisfaction in female adolescents. Viewing such commercials leads to internalization of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, and can negatively influence one’s mood. The current research utilizes the findings gathered from previous research regarding the negative effects of idealized female beauty portrayed in the media on female adolescents. The aim is to delve deeper into the issue by specifically examining the influence that this idealized beauty has on adolescent girls’ ages 13 to 17. The main goal is to point out the effects on their self-esteem and body image. Hypotheses H1: Media personalities determine adolescent’s girl’s view of the ideal body size and weight. H2: Mass media’s depiction of slim and shapely body sizes as the ideal body shapes and sizes negatively affects girls with big bodies. H3: Adolescent girls with slim and shapely bodies, represented by the media as the perfect bodies/sizes report higher self esteem. Research Questions RQ1: Does mass media determine adolescent girls’ view of the perfect body size? RQ2: Does adolescent girls’ inability to attain the ideal body sizes as dictated by the media affect their self esteem? RQ3: Is being slim or being big a major issue leading to a girl’s self esteem or lack of it? RQ4: Does mass media affect the adolescent view of a perfect life and in retrospect determine their approach and view of themselves? Method The preferred research design for this study will be focus groups. Focus groups offer a perfect chance to gather variant opinions on a first hand basis. Additionally, it allows the interviewer or the moderator a chance to clarify issues not clear in the ensuing discussions. Lastly, unlike the other forms of research focus groups allows one a chance to read expressions and other forms of body communications which is essential in relying certain messages. The fact that people are engaged within their preferred environments also adds to the credibility of the results as it minimizes chances of giving construed information. The participants will be grouped into three focus groups, early teenage years (13-14), mid teenage years, (15-16), and late teenage years, (17-18). This will mean that the participants will be drawn from different classes. The idea is to have variant individuals within the wider adolescent group. This provides depth and allows the study to gather data representative of all the views and opinions held by adolescent girls on the effect of mass media on girl’s self and body esteem. This is recognition of the fact that opinions and views may change as girls get older. Additionally, the differentiation of the groups allows the girls to be comfortable with each other. Having all the different ages in the same grouping may affect the girls approach and some may feel intimidated hindering an honest interaction and responses to the study’s main questions. In the study, the expectations are that the girls will actively interact with me (the moderator) in expressing opinions and views which will be guided by certain questions structured before the meetings. The moderator will continually pick up major points and put them down. This will be the same for all focus groups, though the meetings will be constituted at different times and in different venues that allow comfort for all the groupings. Participants The participants will be adolescent girls ages 13-18. These will be drawn from my former school, Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, NY. The choice of the school is informed by familiarity and ease at recognizing critical venues that will make the girls feel comfortable. There will be no specific rationale in choosing these girls besides the age. This emanates from the fact that media as represented by the internet, magazines, and television has become widespread and every girl has a reasonable exposure to these forms. Besides, different interactions and discussions are bound to generate opinions and views on the ideal bodies and shapes as influenced by the media. It is common place to hear these discussions among different girls in the recognized age group. Thence, this study does not need to specify any other rationale as the experiences, psychological, physiological and social are quite similar among these participants. The participants will be put in groups of 20, and there will be three focus groups. This translates to 60 participants. All the participants will be required to answer the same questions addressing the different forms of media, magazines, televisions and internet. Procedure The study will begin from my classroom. The very initial task in preparing for the study will be going through the notes and information that we have read throughout the semester to ensure that the study will be inclusive of all the elements and factors that we have handled so far. The next task will be determining the questions that will be asked to the study’s participants. These questions will aim at establishing the following facts: The first set of questions will seek to determine the level of exposure to the different form of media, magazines, internet and television. The second question will seek to understand the interests the girls have in these different forms of media, do they watch reality shows, soap operas, do they listen or watch music or are they interested in sports. The next set of questions will seek to determine the likely effects of these exposures. Do the girls feel the pressure to act, behave, talk, eat and exercise like the different personalities they watch or read about? The last set of questions will seek to establish whether the pressure or need to emulate the lifestyles of these personalities affect the way they think or look at their bodies. This will be critical in defining self/body esteem issues which is the essence of this study. After defining the questions, the next step will be making the necessary inquiries and making contact with the necessary authorities. These include the school managers and administrators, of the Christ the King Regional High School in Queens, NY. Their consent will be required as the participants will be drawn from the school and the required facilities such as sits and the venue will also be within the school. Further contact will be made with the specific teachers to make necessary arrangements on getting the specific participants (20 for each of the three focus groups). Once the contact is made, the next step will be organizing the venue and talking to the participants. This will inform them of the study’s objective and other finer details such as the meeting venues, at this point any issues or reservations they may have will be addressed. Once this is done, the last thing will be convening the groups and carrying on the actual study. In generating the required responses, the moderator will pose different questions to the girls to which the responses will be required. To ensure an active and honest participation there will be no much formality. The questions will be floated for the participants to answer with no specific order. Such an approach will encourage the participants to come forward and share their view, give opinions as well counter certain opinions. However, every emerging point will be noted. This approach is preferable especially with the girls in the early teenage years who maybe naive. The idea here is to make the participants comfortable. This will be the approach adopted for all focus groups though the approach and level of engagement may change when handling the different focus groups. In handling the study respondents, adequate time and ethical considerations will be ensured. These are highlighted and mentioned within the class materials. This is because the study does not aim at exposing respondents or contravening with any principles or views they may hold. The intention is to generate the results without manipulating or affecting the participants view or opinions about themselves. Most importantly, the study seeks to ensure that the participants are comfortable and act as natural as they could. The study will avoid use of names for confidential purposes. Study implications This study hopes that by developing an all round study that indicates how media affects the attitudes of adolescent girls towards their body (body/self esteem) necessary effort will be taken to downplay the effects of the media. One of the most effective ways is increasing contact between parents, teachers and these girls. They need to be counseled and taught to be comfortable with their own appearance. A holistic approach will ensure that the girls accept their appearance and also helps inform their approach towards each other. A critical lesson in these counseling sessions should be that body changes in the adolescent stage are inevitable. However, people have different bodies as determined by one’s genes and level of hormones. This dictates the size of the body. Therefore, the size should not be a source of ridicule as it’s size results from a natural process and has very little to do with man. Additionally, the study also hopes to have an impact on the kind of content aired by the different media. Hopefully, these can adapt programs which inculcate proper vales and not programs which facilitate development of body/self esteem issues as evident from this study. References Biagi, S. (2012). Media/impact: an introduction to mass media. Boston : Wadsworth Cengage Learning Blowers, L. C., Loxton. N. J., Grady-Flesser, M., Occhipinti, S., &Dawe, S. (2003). The relationship between sociocultural pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction in preadolescent girls. Eating Behaviors, 4, 229-244. Botta, R. A. 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