Trying to understand the factors that lead us to idealize a certain body image or weight is complicated. Our environment at home and school, what we watch on TV and the magazines we read can all exert an influence on what images we idealize. If children hear parents berating themselves for having fat thighs or a big belly, they are likely to view their bodies in a critical, demeaning fashion. "Weightism" experienced at school by a child by being teased or ctitized in regards to their body size may plant seeds of body/self-hatred. Research has demonstrated that many girls and women experience lowered self-esteem and a more negative body image after viewing images of artificially thin models/actresses from popular media sources. The pressing question is how DO we become activists and change the harmful conversations that are driving vulnerable people towards destructive diets and disordered eating behaviors? I would propse the first step is that we need to resolve our own percptions that might be conflicted. This thought struck me as I read an article from Advertising Age titled "Researchers Find Thin Models Make Viewers Like Brands More, but Themselves Less". Let's face it ... marketers are not in the business of enhancing the body images of women. They will continue using the models that will sell the most product for the brand that is being promoted. While the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty has already reached millions and has a goal of reaching 5 million girls by 2010, has it really changed what we as a population view as attractive? What do you find attractive when you viewing advertising. More importantly, what has influenced your view.
Perhaps the first conversation we need to change truly is the one we have with ourselves. Please share your views. We can learn from one another!
I agree that the conversation we really need to change, vis-a-vis body image, is the one with ourself. But you are right to urge activism to counter the barrage of unhealthy and often-unattainable ideals in the media and our culture at large, because it can be extremely difficult to change our own views if our healthy thoughts feel like tiny fish in an overwhelming ocean of ideas that are unhealthy.
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