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Does the media influence anorexia in teenagers?
When the media constantly bombards children and teenagers with messages about the "ideal" or "perfect" beauty and uses underweight movie stars, singers, etc., it is not difficult to ask the question: "Does the media affect anorexia in teenagers?" and come back with a resounding "YES!" When children see these images on television, in magazines, in songs, movies, etc., it's no wonder that the rate of eating disorders among teenagers is skyrocketing and parents are now frantically searching for an answer. Instead of blaming yourself, the media, and others, it's important to remember that some teens are more susceptible to eating disorders...
Does the media influence anorexia in teenagers?
When the media constantly bombards children and teenagers with messages about the "ideal" or "perfect" beauty and uses underweight movie stars, singers, etc., it is not difficult to ask the question: "Does the media affect anorexia in teenagers?" and come back with a resounding "YES!" When children see these images on television, in magazines, in songs, movies, etc., it's no wonder that the rate of eating disorders among teenagers is skyrocketing and parents are now frantically searching for an answer.
Instead of blaming yourself, the media, and others, it is important to remember that some teens are more susceptible to eating disorders than others, and some will develop anorexia or another eating disorder with or without external influences such as media or peers.
But how does the media influence anorexia in teenagers? And how do we stop the effects of this negative influence? The media has been firmly focused on a person's physical appearance or outer beauty for years. In the days of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth, women were portrayed in the media as beautiful, and they were not “bone thin.” This trend has changed in recent years, and unless an actress or model is so thin that she can practically see bones, she is criticized for being “fat.”
The most recent example of this trend is Britney Spears' recent comeback. After giving birth to two children, she was mocked for wearing a skimpier outfit because she was “fat.” The problem is that despite having two children, she was far from fat - yet she was criticized by the media for daring to show off her "less than perfect" body on national television. With problems like these, it's no wonder that children and young people are bombarded with messages about what perfection is and how to "be" perfect.
When does the media influence anorexia in teenagers? If one notices television programs and magazines geared specifically toward teenagers, they will note that it is extremely unusual - even rare - for an actor, actress or other star to be "overweight" - or even of a normal weight. From the pre-teen years through the mid-teen years, teens are bombarded with direct and indirect messages about the need to be “perfect” and what “perfect” is.
If Marilyn Monroe or Rita Hayworth were around today, they would be called “fat.” What a twist and shocking example of how our society has misplaced standards of beauty and “perfection”! Two well-known, absolutely gorgeous sex symbols and icons of healthy weight beauty would now be considered "flawed."
The media affects teenagers' self-esteem and self-worth when it constantly bombards them with what society now deems ideal and a distorted perception of what is "perfect." To stop the negative influence of media on children and adolescents, it is a good idea to limit exposure to programs and magazines that harm body image and promote healthy body image.
It is important to promote fitness and a healthy body and mind in terms of appearance and beauty and to be aware of your teen's body image and self-esteem. If your teen seems overly concerned about their appearance, weight, etc., it is paramount to have them evaluated by a professional. It could be a matter of life and death for your teenager.
Inspired by Wendy Pan