#4) Beauty - Is it Really in the Eye of the Beholder?

1. Why do you think people are portrayed this way in the media?

People are portrayed this way in the media because; the media is a big influence on society. People view things on the media as if that was what life is like. They treat it as if it were their guidelines to living life. Therefore, the media steps it up and they make unrealistic people, actions and situations. People strive to live the way things are on TV or on the internet. The media is more desirable if it is interesting and according to the reactions of the people, unrealistic things are desirable which keeps things on the media going.

2. How are you affected by the images you see?

I am affected by the images I see since I feel like I, as a body am judged based on the “perfect body” portrayed in the media. In my head, I think that my peers are judging the way I look –if I’m ugly, pretty, cute, sexy, beautiful or just plain by comparing me to the perfect-ness of the models on TV. I honestly don’t want to be like those girls in the media, but sometimes, the way that people are judged even if others don’t know them makes me want to at least make myself decent enough to be presentable. This is how much the media affects me and any other girl or guy.

Taken from Google Images ©

Taken from Google Images ©

Taken from Google Images ©

3. What can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images?

The unoriginal response, “put more realistic looking models on the media” can be done to reduce the amount of young men and women that are negatively affected by these images. By allowing more people who look like people get on TV, the people who are affected may feel a bit better. They can stop being so intimidated. They can relax and be proud to look normal and not photo shopped. However, something else that can be done is teaching people to care less. They should put this in the media if they want the controversy to stop. People should be taught to only care about impressing themselves and not appeal to others.

4. What would your reaction be to a magazine cover where the subject isn't all glammed up? Is this a possible route that society should take? Why or why not? 

My reaction to a magazine cover where the subject isn’t all glammed up would be shocked. I actually can’t imagine it. I feel like it’s something that would happen if a magazine were to run out of ideas, which is almost impossible. However, this definitely should be a route that society should take. When this happens, maybe people will finally be less insecure. Everyone would be able to feel better about themselves and less pressured to try to be like Barbie.