cause effect
Alyssa Anderson
Mr. Hasse
Composition II
March 18, 2014
A Negative Self Image
There is no one body that is like another. The entire human species is unique in it’s own way. So why do we strive to be like each other? Why do we constantly cause pain and hurt to our own self esteem to try and be like someone we could never be? What causes a negative self image in a person? There is general societal concern about what causes low self-esteem and how it will affect future generations. The most common causes of a negative self image include: the media, family, peers and abuse from the present or past. During adolescence, having a poor image of your appearance and body can be incredibly harmful. The changes occurring in your body during these years will affect you mentally and physically. The coming generation, girls especially, seem to believe that being thin and provocative is the only way that society is going to accept you and think you are beautiful. Research found by Allie Kovar in an essay on The Effects of Media on Body Image, she stated some researchers believe that having a constant reminder of being thin may be desensitizing to the youth and make them think this is normal, and causes a constant state of shame or guilt for someone who is comparing their own self to someone on TV or in a magazine. One of the biggest reasons for a negative self-image is the media. Whether you like it or not, the media will try to tell you that you need to be perfect and set unrealistic standards that are impossible to live up to. Though it is good to have someone that you aspire to be like, being convinced by media can affect the good aspects of how your role models are people to look up to. As stated in the essay written by Kovar on the The Effects of Media on Body Image , “The models of today are significantly smaller than models of the past. With each passing year, front-cover models reach levels of thinness that are worse than the criteria of anorexia” (pp 6).
Mr. Hasse
Composition II
March 18, 2014
A Negative Self Image
There is no one body that is like another. The entire human species is unique in it’s own way. So why do we strive to be like each other? Why do we constantly cause pain and hurt to our own self esteem to try and be like someone we could never be? What causes a negative self image in a person? There is general societal concern about what causes low self-esteem and how it will affect future generations. The most common causes of a negative self image include: the media, family, peers and abuse from the present or past. During adolescence, having a poor image of your appearance and body can be incredibly harmful. The changes occurring in your body during these years will affect you mentally and physically. The coming generation, girls especially, seem to believe that being thin and provocative is the only way that society is going to accept you and think you are beautiful. Research found by Allie Kovar in an essay on The Effects of Media on Body Image, she stated some researchers believe that having a constant reminder of being thin may be desensitizing to the youth and make them think this is normal, and causes a constant state of shame or guilt for someone who is comparing their own self to someone on TV or in a magazine. One of the biggest reasons for a negative self-image is the media. Whether you like it or not, the media will try to tell you that you need to be perfect and set unrealistic standards that are impossible to live up to. Though it is good to have someone that you aspire to be like, being convinced by media can affect the good aspects of how your role models are people to look up to. As stated in the essay written by Kovar on the The Effects of Media on Body Image , “The models of today are significantly smaller than models of the past. With each passing year, front-cover models reach levels of thinness that are worse than the criteria of anorexia” (pp 6).
Cited: Bronfenbrenner, Urie. Ecological Models of Human Development. 1994. March 18, 2014. Harkins, Debra. Peer teasing, Body-image and Eating problems among women. American Journal of Psychological Research. November 11, 2009. December 9, 2009. March 13, 2014. Kovar, Allie