Body
Image & the Media: What's the connection?
Cultural ideals shape the way we think we should look. Throughout history, women's bodies have been "molded" to fit the ideal of the time.
| The Era | The Look of the Day for Women |
| 1800's | A large body is a sign of health and fertility. Corsets narrow the waist and enhance the bust. |
| 1890's | Actress Lillian Russell at 200 lbs. or 91 kg. is the most celebrated beauty of the time. |
| 1910's | Paris designer creates slim sheath dresses, declares that breasts are “out”. |
| 1920's | Era of the flat-chested, slim-hipped flapper. First dieting craze of the 20th Century begins. |
| 1950’s & 1960’s | Voluptuous full figured shapes of Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield are popular. |
| 1967 | British model Twiggy (5’6 or 168 cm. and 91 lbs. or 41 kg.) arrives on the scene – and the diet industry explodes. |
| 1970’s & 1980’s | Models gradually become taller, thinner and begin to show toned muscle definition. Breasts make a fashion come-back. |
| Early 1990’s | Waif-like figure of Kate Moss presents a wasted “heroin chic” look and a pre-teen body. |
| Late 1990’s | Tall, very thin models with no visible body fat and muscles highly toned by hours of working out. Large breasts remain in style – but are rare in this body type without the help of breast implants. |
| The average North American woman is 5’4 or 163 cm and 140 lbs. or 64 kg. Models in the 1970’s weighed 8% less than the average woman. By the 1990’s models weighted 23% less. |
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| 2000 and beyond | Real bodies come in all shapes and sizes. …Set your own trend!!! |
For More Information:
- Graydon, Shari. In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You. 2004. Toronto: Annick Press.
- Maine, Margo. Body Wars: Making Peace with Women’s Bodies. 2000. Carlsbad, CA: Gurze Books
Today’s advertisers go to huge lengths to sell products and to convince women that their bodies are never good enough. Female models are typically tall, thin, young, white and appear “perfect”. More and more, male models are lean, very muscular and equally “perfect” in their appearance.
Unhealthy Goals |
The body does not follow fashion trends. If you have been persuaded to think that your body is not good enough, you may be trying to reach unrealistic and unhealthy goals.
If you're concerned that
you or someone you know might have an eating
disorder, ask for help! |
You Can Do Something! |
Most everyone wants
to feel fit and look good. For lots of people,
new clothes and changing hairstyles are fun
ways to express themselves. Magazines, websites, TV, movies, are a big part of our leisure
time, and are fun as long as you don't shape
your whole life around what you see. Be aware of the "flawless" images, the stereotypes based more on looks than on talent, and the put-downs of people who don't fit the narrow definition of ideal. Be aware of ads that turn people into objects, sexualize young children and depict violence. You can do something!! Advertisers do respond to public feedback. Here's where to let them know what you think:
For teens:
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