Media's Impact on a Child's Self Perception

Children in the modern age grow up in a society that is consumed with all genres of media. Television, the Internet, movies, music videos, magazines, and fashion advertisements are just a few media outlets that adolescents are exposed to on a daily basis. According to the NEDA, 80% adolescents from the ages of 8-18 are exposed to 6-7.5 hours of different kinds of media per day. 

Over the past two decades, there has been a significant link drawn between the consumption of media and body dissatisfaction disorders. It is clear through viewing media from many years ago, that the ideal female's body has transformed into a leaner, and thinner frame. Conversely, the ideal male body has become stronger, sturdier, and more muscular through the years. Since children view a great deal of media, it is evident that their perception of what is physically attractive has been shaped by what they see, which could account for the shocking statistics of the number of children who view their bodies in a negative way. 

 Here are two actresses on the Disney Channel that are popular right now (I chose these actresses because my younger sister idolizes them, not solely based on their appearance):

Dove Cameron- Disney Channel

Bella Thorne- Disney Channel

Research has shown that young, female children are more likely to be dissatisfied by their appearance, even more so than young boys. Studies have also indicated that among the young girls, those aged in the early to middle teens were especially impressionable. Many of the young women who wished to be thin, exerted that the media played a strong role in why they believed they should lose weight. 

It is also evident that children who are not even in their teen years suffer from body dissatisfaction disorders. An elementary school teacher remarked that it was clear from her experience, that children are becoming obsessed with how they look, and how they compare to others. 

 "Parents were calling schools to say their children were stressing about what to wear on non-uniform days, or for friends' birthday parties, or for the school disco," says Hutchinson. "The more we looked into it, the more we discovered what a problem it was. By the age of 10, around a third of all girls, and 22% of boys, say how their bodies look is their number one worry. And 10 is also the average age when children start dieting."

A different study was conducted by The British Psychological Society, which focused on analyzing whether young female children, ages 3-6 exhibited any body dissatisfaction disorders caused by Disney Princess media. The children were asked a series of questions in order to gain data on the subject. The young girls were asked what princess they would rather be: one picture being a thin princess, and the other being "average". In general, 5- and 6-year-olds selected significantly thinner figures compared with 3- and 4-year-olds. This could possibly illustrate that there is a shift in cognitive development at the age of 5, in which children are able to compare between themselves and the appearance of an image. The study concluded that it is also possible that as young girls become older, their ideal size decreases, while their perceived size remains the same or increases. It is also important to note that according the study, approximately one- third of all the interviewed girls desired a thinner ideal figure compared to their current frame. This trend could reflect how the media can affect children as young as 5 years old, and continue to affect them throughout adolescence. 

Although there are many benefits to the media of the 21st century, there are also some consequences. With the click of a button, children are bombarded with images and videos from the media that shape how they behave, treat others, and see themselves. Left untreated and unmonitored, these impressionable children could develop a negative perception of themselves, which could lead to severe body dismorphic diseases in their future. I think about my younger sister, who is only in middle school, yet constantly asks me if I think she is pretty. I believe it is important to stress to children that they should not let their appearance define who they are. I've found when you let your physicality determine your happiness and self worth, you will consequently be left feeling disappointed, unfulfilled, and not content. 

  

Girls in the Magazines

A young Hungarian singer, Boggie, recently released a music video for her song, "Nouveau Parfum" which is quickly becoming mainstream. The video has received a great deal of attention from American viewers, because the singer touched on a very controversial topic: the use of photoshop in the media. In the video, Boggie's moving image is shown being retouched and transformed throughout a series of brushing, erasing, brightening and coloring techniques. Although she is a very attractive woman naturally, as shown in the beginning of the video, Boggie is molded into a very glamorized and seemingly flawless version of herself. 

These kinds of videos have starting surfacing over the past few years, showing the viewers that natural celebrities and models often look completely different than their photoshopped counterparts. The pictures that are presented to culture through the media, exhibit a "perfection" that we know does not exist. The media is saturated with gorgeous models (male and female) that have alluring eyes, flawless skin, and flowing hair. As viewers, many do not grasp the power that photoshop and professional photography have. I believe it will be helpful for consumers to fully understand how photoshop is utilized, and I think this music video by Boggie helps shed light on the uses of photoshopping. 

I am studying Graphic Design, and I am well educated in many different photoshop softwares. I also know a good deal about photography, so I know the tricks of the trade. In projects, editors obviously try to make an image look better after editing than the original image. These softwares are truly incredible inventions; you can literally CHANGE your appearance however you like through a series of tools that smooth, erase, brighten, and blur. Through editing, you can make small scale changes, like erasing blemishes, smoothing complexions, brightening eyes and skin. Large scale photoshop operations are almost frightening--skin tone alterations, thinning of body parts, and hair changes are more drastic changes that are used often. Seeing the before and after photographs, the model can sometimes look like a completely different person at the end of the session. 

I know exactly how photoshop is used because I can do it myself. Since I know how to do this, seeing advertisements that feature beautiful models, does not really affect me the way it could affect an uneducated viewer. 

Overall, I do not think that Photoshop is necessarily an evil software. It is also used for artistic purposes, and is extremely helpful in creating beautiful images. I do think that fashion magazines and beauty advertisements take these techniques too far at times, like in changing a model's body shape to make her thinner, bustier, and overall--"sexier". I think these companies should keep the models looking as natural as possible, because there is nothing wrong with their bodies and appearance in real life, and impacts how consumers view themselves. Boggie is taking a very brave stand, showing her natural appearance being photoshopped into an almost unrecognizable version of herself. This video shows to the public just how powerful these softwares can be, and mainly that girls in the magazines, probably don't even look like the girls in the magazines. 

The Socially Destructive B-Word

Lupe Fiasco's recent track "B*tch Bad", attempts to examine the complications and insinuations of the b-word, which is used so frivolously in today's culture; specifically in hip hop music. In the song, Fiasco depicts the contradictory uses of the b-word, and how women and men use this term differently. In the track, Fiasco explains that young women are listening to hip hop music in particular, and equalize being a "bad b*tch" with being sexually appealing, strong and cool. Thus, these young women unknowingly self objectify themselves by dressing in provocative ways, and referring to themselves as "bad b*tches" in order to fit a stereotype of what they believe certain men want. In one portion of the song, Lupe Fiasco raps from a young man's perspective. This young man grew up with a strong mother, and was not attracted to one of the young women who was attempting look like a "bad b*tch":

      

       "Momma never dressed like that, 

         come out the house hot mess like that

         A**, titties, dressed like that, all out to impress like that

         Just like that, you see the confusion

         He caught in a reality, she caught in an illusion"

Lupe Fiasco, by writing this stanza, is explaining that because of the way the word “b*tch” is used so frequently in music and today's culture, many young women start thinking that they need to fit the stereotype associated with loose provocative clothing, but instead of empowering themselves, they are succumbing to the illusion created by misogynistic music. 

In society, it is clear that the term, "b*tch" has dramatically become mainstream. In popular culture and every day life, men and women both use the term "b*tch" as an epithet against women, and non conventional men. By declaring a person to be the b-word, that individual is then devalued and dehumanized. 

A literal "b*tch" as most people know, is a female dog. Historically, these dogs that are in heat experience a change in personality for a short period of time, and owners can usually tell when their dogs undergo this change, because it is evident in how they behave. Women have been referred to in this way for many years, perhaps even dating back to the 1400s. The connotation of this term was a bit more severe back then, because it was equating a particular woman who had low morals to be that of a dog. It was also used specifically in reference to a woman's sexuality, in that a woman who was called a "b*tch" was even lesser than a prostitute, because prostitutes received payment in money for sex, whereas these women did not. In Greco/Roman culture, the goddess Artemis (Diana) was commonly depicted with dogs, or even as a dog herself. Those who opposed this polytheism referred to Artemis' followers as a "sons of a b*tch", which is a common derogatory phrase used today as well.

In modern day, it is clear that this word has certainly not dropped off the radar screen, in that it is seen regularly in the media and in everyday conversations. Just listening to music, the b-word is uncensored, and is usually always in reference to a woman. Kanye West recently came out with a song entitled, "Perfect B*tch", which is a song about Kim Kardashian. We still hear phrases by men and women alike saying, "she's a b*tch", which is referring negatively about a certain woman. It's even used in other situations like, "that test was a real b*tch"! In this case, it is clear that the test or any other object or scenario described this way, was extremely unpleasant and negative. I have also heard the phrase, "I bent it over and made it my b*tch", which is something that people throw around. This phrase is in my opinion, the worst of them all. Not only does it have a rape-like connotation, but it equalizes the term "b*tch" (women) to being dominated and controlled in a violent way. 

Some women nowadays are attempting to "reclaim" the b-word, and instead use it as a compliment rather than a criticism. But I argue that this term was originally intended to dehumanize women, so why attempt to reclaim a word that is so destructive? I feel that in "reclaiming" this word, women are actually just reinforcing the sexism that promoted it in the first place. 

Words have a powerful and lasting effect on individuals and culture. They can elevate and bring people together, or they can destroy. Women must understand and grasp the meaning of this destructive and pervasive word, and cease using this term to describe themselves and other women. This word is in no form a compliment, and should not be considered acceptable. By women using this term commonly to refer to themselves and each other, it is sending a conflicting message to men, and allows them to use this term. Since the b-word is so derogatory and dehumanizing, it is crucial that men and women alike stop throwing this term around, for it will most likely only cause further social destruction and promote inequality. 

Lifetime Channel...and Lady Terps?

I am a sports fan. I love to play sports and I thoroughly enjoy watching great athletes (male and female) compete at the highest level. That is why I am so disturbed about comments and opinions that were stated this morning on the Norris and Davis Show, on CBS Baltimore's 105.7 FM, "The Fan".

One of the co-hosts,  Steve Davis, said that he watched a small portion of the Lady Terps victory over Louisville in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament game on Monday night. He said that he did not like to watch women's sports because they were boring. He further stated that he liked watching the men's college basketball teams play because, in his words, "they can do things that I can't". The women, he said, do things that "he could do". He further stated that the number one high school boy's team in Maryland (he did not say who that was), would have no problem defeating the Lady Terps. This mystery male team would have "no problem" defeating the Lady Terps, who have won 26 games this season and have advanced to the "Final Four" in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament -- I only wish they could arrange that game. I would pay to watch.

He did say, however, that he enjoyed watching one particular women's player because she "is so attractive". Through this remark, it is not a stretch to conclude that this particular athlete is not respected for her abilities, but is instead objectified because she is good-looking. Perhaps most infuriating, though, is what happened after Mr. Davis continued to opine about why the women's basketball games are so inferior to the men. A listener to the show texted a message to Mr. Davis that asked, "and did you watch the Lifetime channel after you watched the Lady Terps"? This comment insinuates that if Mr. Davis, or any man, watches females play a competitive sport, it makes them less masculine. It also mocks men who may enjoy watching the Lady Terps play basketball, by equating watching competitive female sports with watching traditionally female television channel.

As a female athlete, it is discouraging to hear comments of this nature. All college athletes work exceptionally hard and are in incredible physical condition. Where Mr. Davis went wrong was when he criticized and embarrassed female athletes by diminishing their accomplishments. I won't mention that the Maryland's men's basketball team has failed to make the NCAA tournament for the last seven years. I shouldn't have to. I am a sports fan -- and I know how difficult it is to compete. Evidently, Mr. Davis has forgotten.