November 17, 2011 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, Women's Health by empoweringwellness

The impact of popular culture on body image

My recent article and video about Lomi Lomi massage has sparked a discussion about body image. In my post yesterday, I talk about the positive impact of touch therapy on body image.

Today, my readers have a special treat. I’d like to introduce my friend and fellow blogger Jennifer Youn. In today’s post, Jennifer shares her first-hand experience dealing with body-image issues as well as her thoughts on how the media and popular culture affects our perceptions of our bodies and ourselves.

Exposed to unrealistic body ideals at an early age

I remember doing research on the topic of body image as a senior in high school. My thesis was “How does popular culture infuence views on body image?” It was a detailed discussion about how women are constantly exposed to a world of unattainable beauty/body ideals via the media. I mentioned to Fred the other day that there is an overwhelming pressure on young women to be size 0′s. The impact of the media and popular culture is enormous. There are some estimates that up to 80 percent of American women are unhappy with their appearance.

It starts at an early age. Toys like Barbie influence the body image of millions of girls all around the world. The retail shopping experience also affects our sense of what is normal. It’s funny to me that when I see a pair of pants I like and there is a greater number of size 0-2′s than normal sizes 4 or larger. I was never a size 0 (except for a brief time in the 6th grade) and I would never want to be either. The point is we, as women, have power over these giant industries because ultimately we dictate what / how their business is trending.

Trends. It’s what the fashion labels try to create season after season and year after year. If body image was a brand, skinny would be a long, ongoing trend. The question is, who’s setting the trend? If the average woman in America is a size 14, clearly there is a huge discrepency between fantasy and reality. If people want to start talking about the 99 percent and 1 percent, maybe we should start an “Occupy Supermodels” movement. It’s called genetics and a lot of them would rather do crack and be completely miserable than to eat whatever they please and actually enjoy life. Personally, I have a HUGE problem with that.

I enjoy being a size 6. I enjoy having curves. I enjoy eating. I enjoy being a real woman. So does my boyfriend.

How has popular culture affected your view of your own body?

If you are a parent, do you talk to your daughter about body image? What do you say and do to reinforce a positive self image?

Massage therapy can have a very positive affect on body image. Take the first step. Schedule an appointment with me today by using my online scheduling system.