Do Media Cause Individuals to Develop Negative Body Images?

This weeks issue is about negative body images and whether the media plays a role in it. The two sides of the argument give solid reasons and explanations as to why the media does or doesn't create negative body images, but from what i have seen and experienced I would have to say that the media does cause people to develop negative body images. Everywhere we look now a days we see pictures of people who are fit, good looking, smiling, perfect skin and the list goes on and on. with this image always being a constant figure in our lives we start to believe that is the way we have to look. From this idea people try to achieve the look of these models and sometimes they take it over the top by turning to options such a anorexia and bulimia. For example, we hear of movie stars all the time suffering from these diseases because of the constant pressure they get from the media to look perfect. Also health magazine ads tell men and women that a healthy body is attainable if they buy these certain products and pamper themselves. With all this negativity around obesity being fat becomes something to be feared of causing people to go to great lengths to try and fix themselves(surgery, extreme dieting, working out, and worst of all not eating). It's not only magazines that are causing people to have negative body images. Us as a society is awful at judging people by their weight and their looks. Everyday it seems like we watch television shows that have have guys and girls judging each other by their looks which then instills the idea into our minds that we have to look a certain way to be liked by others. The media continues to spew out information and ads that show good looking, fit people using their products or wearing a certain clothing brand even with all the negative research that shows that it causes people, girls especially, to develop negative body images. So the only solution it seems right now for this problem is to limit people, younger generations the most, exposure to media, promote healthy eating and moderate physical activity, and encourage participation in activities that increase mastery and self-esteem. Funding for high-quality, visible advertising campaigns promoting healthy life styles may increase awareness. Hopefully, one day we can eliminate this idea about body image and what is the right way to look, because when it comes down to it no one is perfect and we all have flaws. We need to accept who we are and not try to be something were not.