In our society, beauty is everything. Women and men are taught to think that thin, fit, healthy, is what makes someone a good person. In viewing pictures of obese, or ugly people, many people think “What a loser!” This is how our society controls us. The media (magazines, commercials, even some doctors) tell us what to look like and if we do not abide by this, we are ostracized. The Media Awareness Network’s article “Media and Girls” states, “Commercials aimed at kids spending 55 percent of their time showing boys building, fixing toys, or fighting. They show girls, on the other hand, spending 77 percent of their time laughing, talking, or observing others” (www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and _girls/). Is it any wonder why so many young girls get in trouble for being too talkative in school? Beauty norms tell females that they need to be attractive, thin, wear the nicest clothes, and in general appeal to men. Transversely, these norms tell men that they need to be strong and assertive. Regardless, both are expected to have a perfect tan (I am pushing albino status).
I personally, have been affected by these beauty norms throughout my life. As a child, I went to the doctor and he told me that I needed to start working out at 13 because I was 10 pounds over the average weight. I bet doctors now are having heart attacks at the obesity in today’s children. It feels horrible to be a young girl and learn that in the eyes of society, you are fat. I look back at pictures of myself and I was so thin! It disgusts me that the doctors would knowingly subject me to such self-esteem issues at such a young age, when I was in no danger of becoming obese.
I must admit, I am not a thin girl now. My sister (19) who is two years younger than men is 275 pounds, my mother is 220lbs. While I am nowhere near this weight, in society’s standards, I am overweight. I work out on a regular basis, and this summer I even began the Insanity workout…it is INSANE! They were not joking when they said consult a physician. Last week I worked out so hard that my chest cramped up, my ears started ringing, and I threw up. I only started the workout because I wanted to lose a couple sizes in clothing and to become more “healthy.” Honestly, I do not know why I am still doing the workout…possibly so that I never end up in the position of my sister and mother. It is embarrassing to say that I am afraid to end up like my mom. In our society, obesity simply is not acceptable.
Honestly, I feel that the only way to resist these standards is to learn to accept people for what they are. We need to change the message our media sends to young children. Our society teaches us young that beauty=success. Even men must conform to certain standards. My boyfriend has stretch marks on his shoulders from lifting more than his body weight in a body building competition. It is important to note that society judges us all, regardless of gender.
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