Research Proposal Example

Download file to see previous pages... Research has shown that constant publicity of a certain idea can deform our view of reality. We come across very few naked bodies in our regular life. But the situation is different if we are regular viewer of fashion shows and magazines. The body images we see on media are either photoshoped or makeup enhanced. Our views on what women should really look like has been distorted as we are bombarded with countless images of beautiful and thin women .These models are viewed as role models. Before the advancement of media, our ideas of beauty and perception were limited to our own communities. People did not even owned mirrors. They were not exposed to images of face and bodies till the beginning of photography in 1839. The image of "perfection" we see in the media excludes average looking women. In most case body image is linked to self-esteem. Women with bodies that are fat, old or disabled are considered different and opposing to normal and attractive. The normal people are presented as stereotypes rather than as real people. The noisy fat woman, grumpy old woman, and the disabled woman are common cliches in the media. The beauty of normal and real people are not recognized or acknowledged. Distorted view of our own body has been connected to low self esteem. This low self esteem results in eating disorder behavior (Women's Health, 2013). Females are more likely to feel that their weight is too much. The reason might be that they are too much exposed to thin female bodies on media. Research showed that about 88% of young women do not feel positive about their body image or weight. 49 % of teenager experienced eating disorders. 58 % of young girls wanted to lose weight. Only 33 % were satisfied with their body image and weight (Croll, 2005, p. 154-155). In most cases the appearance of women is the basic sign of self-worth. (American Association of University Women, 1994) Ata, Ludden, & Lally performed a study about the factors that influenced young women. The result showed that 62 % of young females were trying to lose weight. The main factors which made these girls insecure and have low self esteem were teasing and pressure from their surroundings (Ata, Ludden, & Lally, 2006). In America around 8 million people suffer from eating disorder. 90 percent of them are women. 80 percent of young girls are afraid of becoming fat. Fifty percent of 10 year old girls hoped to be thinner. This is alarming as these eating disorders might lead to other mental disorders (Croll, 2005). Definition of basic terms used Self esteem Self esteem is how we see our importance to the world. It describes our sense of self worth. It’s like having confidence in one’s abilities (Cherry, n.d.). Body Image Body image is how you view your appearance. It includes whether you feel you are attractive and whether others like your appearance (Raising children network, 2011). Eating Order Eating disorder is a mental disease. It causes grave disorder in a person’s daily diet. The conditions in eating disorder can be eating very small amounts of food or severely overeating (Ananya, n.d.). Purpose of study The media images make it difficult for teenagers to accept their bodies. The girls who watch TV programs showing ultra thin models lose self-confidence. They are more discontented with their own bodies. This results in low confidence. ...Download file to see next pagesRead More